Giai Pagoda (Ba Giai Tu), Hat Mon Commune

GIAI PAGODA (BA GIAI TU) – NATIONAL-LEVEL HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RELIC

Giai Pagoda, whose Sino-Vietnamese name is Ba Giai Tu, is located in the ancient village of Thuong Hiep, Hat Mon Commune, Hanoi City. According to legend, the pagoda was first built during the Ly–Tran period and has long been a place of worship closely associated with the local community.

Through many historical upheavals, the original structure no longer remains. The current architecture was mainly built and shaped in the Nguyen style, comprising the Front Hall, Upper Hall, and Mother Goddess Shrine. Its continuity across periods has created the distinctive appearance of a Northern Vietnamese village pagoda.

The name “Ba Giai Tu” is explained according to its Sino-Vietnamese meaning, in which “Ba” evokes the image of waves and spreading, while “Giai” means good and beautiful. The pagoda’s name expresses the idea of spreading the Buddha’s good teachings, guiding people toward a virtuous life and away from greed, anger, and ignorance. At the same time, the name has an interesting coincidence with reality, as the pagoda is located in an area bordering three hamlets named Giai.

Giai Pagoda is an important space for cultural and religious activities, contributing to preserving the historical memory and traditions of Thuong Hiep Village.

With its historical, cultural, and artistic architectural values, Giai Pagoda was ranked as a National-level Historical and Cultural Relic in 1991.