Cat Linh Pagoda

Located on Cat Linh Street, O Cho Dua Ward, Hanoi City, Cat Linh Pagoda, whose Sino-Vietnamese name is Pho Quang Tu, is an ancient pagoda closely linked to the development history of Buddhism in Thang Long – Hanoi. According to documents kept at the relic, the pagoda originated with the Truc Lam Zen sect during the Tran dynasty and was expanded under King Le Thai Tong.

After many restorations and embellishments, the pagoda now features traditional “Dinh”-character architecture, including the Front Hall, Upper Hall, and structures for worshipping Patriarchs and Mother Goddesses. In particular, the pagoda still preserves many precious relics, such as a bronze bell dated the 12th year of Gia Long (1813), a bronze bell dated the 5th year of Thieu Tri (1845), 35 Buddha statues and worship statues in the artistic style of the 19th–20th centuries, 13 steles of merit to the Buddha, and many artifacts of historical, cultural, and artistic value.

With its outstanding values, Cat Linh Pagoda was ranked as an Architectural and Artistic Relic by the Hanoi City People's Committee in 2003.

Today, the pagoda is not only a place of religious practice for local people and Buddhists but also a cultural and spiritual destination, contributing to preserving and promoting the precious heritage values of O Cho Dua Ward and the capital city of Hanoi.