Tran Quoc Pagoda

Tran Quoc Pagoda, also called Chua Tran Quoc, is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. It is on the eastern shore of Ho Tay, just off D Thanh Nieh, which divides Ho Tay from Truc Bach Lake. It is originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De. A stele dating from 1639, tells the history of this site, during which Tran Quoc Pagoda was rebuilt in the 15th century and again in 1842, so it has an age of 1400 years.

With its harmonious architecture taking advantage of the watery landscape, the pagoda is a picturesque attraction. The sunset views from the temple grounds are famous. There are a number of monks’ funerary monuments in the garden of the pagoda, and among the historic relics are statuary pieces dating to 1639. On the grounds of Tran Quoc is a bodhi tree taken as cutting of the original tree in Bodh Gaya, India under which the Buddha sat and achieved enlightenment.