Must-see Temples and Pagodas in Hanoi

Visiting Hanoi, you can see many famous and long-standing pagodas and temples. This is the embodiment of Vietnamese religious culture through historical dynasties from ancient times. The ancient temples in Hanoi allow you to learn about Vietnamese history on the spot, in a very unique and different way.

Must-see Temples and Pagodas in Hanoi: Hoan Kiem District

Hoan Kiem District is the tourism center in Hanoi with the famous Hanoi Old Quarter. The beautiful and time-honored temples are the best places for your cultural experience in Hanoi.

Quan Su Pagoda

Quan Su Pagoda was built under the Hau Le Dynasty in the 15th century. The pagoda's gate has a belfry in the middle. Inside is the main hall with stately exhibited Buddha statues. Behind the buildings are lecture halls, libraries, and guesthouses. Quan Su Pagoda is one of the few pagodas with both the name of the temple and the distich written in modern Vietnamese. Every year, there are many significant activities of the Vietnam Buddhist Association held here.

Quan Su Pagoda

Address: 73 Quan Su, Hoan Kiem District.
Opening hours: Every day | 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM; 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Entrance fee: free

Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain)

For travelers visiting Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple is undoubtedly a must-see place. Located on Ngoc Island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake, the architecture of Ngoc Son Temple indicates the harmony of heaven and earth, bringing ancient and harmonious beauty which makes the symbol of Hanoi capital. The temple was built in commemoration of the great Vietnamese military leader Tran Hung Dao.

Ngoc Son Temple - the symbol of Hanoi

Address: Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoan Kiem District.
Opening hours: Everyday | 8 AM - 6 PM
Entrance fee: VND 30,000

Ly Quoc Su Temple

Ly Quoc Su Temple was built around 1131 under the Ly Dynasty, making it one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. Ly Quoc Su Temple has a fairly neat structure yet still retains its unique traditional features. This place holds a lot of valuable relics such as "Long Nu Thien Tai" stone pillar carved in stone on a 3-meter-high pillar as well as groups of statues of 18th-century art style.

Ly Quoc Su Temple

Address: 50 Ly Quoc Su, Hoan Kiem District.
Opening hours: Every day | 8 AM - 5 PM
Entrance fee: free

Ba Da Pagoda

Ba Da Pagoda was built in 1056 under the Ly Dynasty. The pagoda is located on Nha Tho Street, which is only a few hundred meters long but has the presence of both Buddhist and Catholic symbolic constructions. Ba Da Pagoda owns Phat Phat Statue, which is considered one of the four Hanoi's treasures. The temple is also the place where Buddhist ceremonies in Hanoi are held every year.

You can visit Ba Da Pagoda on your way to visit St. Joseph's Cathedral

Address: 3 Nha Tho, Hoan Kiem District.
Opening hours: Every day | 8 AM - 5 PM
Entrance fee: free

Must-see Temples and Pagodas in Hanoi: Ba Dinh District

Right next to Hoan Kiem District, Ba Dinh District is also the home of the temples with outstanding cultural and historical values.

One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda was built in 1049 under the Ly dynasty. This is a temple with an extraordinary architecture inspired by a lotus in full blossom in the middle of the lake, making it a distinguished symbol of Hanoi.

One Pillar Pagoda is a must-see place for all travelers

Address: Behind Ong Ich Khiem Street, Ba Dinh District.

The pagoda is also a part of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex so you can pay a visit here after seeing the mausoleum.

Opening hours: Every day | 8 AM - 5 PM
Entrance fee: free

Quan Thanh Temple

Legend has it that Quan Thanh temple was built around 1012 under Ly Dynasty. The temple is considered one of the "four towns" of Hanoi (four four-sided protection temples of Thang Long Citadel) and carries prominent cultural and historical significance. The majestic temple with the sacred statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu - a unique work of art, marks the technique of bronze casting and talent of Vietnamese artisans, attracting many tourists.

Quan Thanh Temple

Address: Thanh Nien Street, Ba Dinh District.
Opening hours: 5 AM - 7 PM
Entrance fee: VND 10,000

Must-see Temples and Pagodas in Hanoi: Tay Ho District

With the famous sacred West Lake, Tay Ho District also has beautiful and ancient temples in Hanoi.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Tran Quoc Pagoda was built approximately 1500 years ago and is considered one of the oldest pagodas in Hanoi. Situating on an island in the middle West Lake, the architecture of the pagoda has a harmonious combination of the age-old and elegant landscape surrounding the stillness of a vast lake. The structure also carries traces of different periods as the temple has undergone many renovations.

Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the most ancient pagodas in Hanoi

Address: Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho District.
Opening hours: Every day | 8 AM - 6 PM
Entrance fee: free

See more Top Free Things to Do in Hanoi.

Phu Tay Ho

Phu Tay Ho is located on a large island of Nghi Tam village, encroaching the West Lake. Phu Tay Ho has a massive architecture with a high gate carved in a sophisticated way. The main hall of Tay Ho is large with elaborately decorated Buddha statues. Besides, there is Son Trang temple worshiping Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Tay Ho is famous for its sacredness, which is visited by many Hanoians every first day of the month.

Phu Tay Ho

Address: Phu Tay Ho Street, Tay Ho District.
Opening hours: Every day | 8 AM - 5 PM
Entrance fee: free

Must-see Temples and Pagodas in Hanoi: Cau Giay District

In Cau Giay District where life has never been more frenetic, you can still see sacred cultural architectures here.

Ha Pagoda

If elders often visit other pagodas in Hanoi, Ha Pagoda is an extremely famous temple for young people in Ha Noi. This temple is widely known as the "Temple of Love", where people would visit and pray for a relationship.

Ha Pagoda is very popular among the young

Address: Chua Ha Street, Cau Giay District.
Opening hours: Every day | 8 AM - 6 PM
Entrance fee: free

Note:

• Since these temples and pagodas in Hanoi are sacred places for worshipping, visitors must wear appropriate clothing when going inside. No revealing clothing, namely shorts, miniskirts or sleeveless shirts are allowed.
• Ask before you snap some photos as taking pictures may not be allowed in some places.
• Get your travel insurance to explore Hanoi:

 

Summary of Must-see Temples and Pagodas in Hanoi

If you choose Hanoi as the destination for your visit to Vietnam, make sure to set your foot on the cultural tourist attractions here, especially the above must-see temples, pagodas and get to know Vietnam from your perspective.

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