Located on an islet within West Lake, this pagoda is a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism. This picturesque attraction is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, built in the 6th century during the reign of King Ly Nam De.
Strolling around, you will see a number of Buddhist symbols like an eight-spoked wheel representing the Noble Eight-fold Path, lotus flowers indicating the purity and enlightenment, impressive statues from 1939, and an authentic Bodhi tree that grew from an original tree from the religious site in India where the Buddha achieved enlightenment, which was a gift from Indian president. Monks have lived in the pagoda for a long time, passing Buddhist philosophy to the public. The ashes of some important monks are stored there.
The pagoda was recognized globally as it was voted by the British newspaper The Daily Mail as one of the 16 most beautiful pagodas in the world.
