Nanh Pagoda

Nanh Pagoda, located in Hamlet 1, Ninh Hiep, Phu Dong Commune, Hanoi City, was ranked as an architectural and artistic relic by a decision issued by the Ministry of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in 1989.

Over different periods, Nanh Pagoda has been called by many different names: Phu Ninh Pagoda, Ca Pagoda, and also by its Sino-Vietnamese name 'Phap Van Co Tu' (Ancient Phap Van Temple). The name of the pagoda fully expresses its meaning and function – it worships Phap Van, one of the Four Great Buddhas of Luy Lau land: Phap Van, Phap Vu, Phap Loi, Phap Dien.

According to the book 'Linh Nam Chich Quai', Nanh Pagoda was built around the middle of the years 207–226. Here, before ascending the throne as king (1010), Ly Cong Uan came to stay at the pagoda and was helped by the venerable monk Nguyen Hue Chung (according to the spirit record of General Bach Sam). Over the long course of history, Nanh Pagoda has been restored and embellished to become increasingly complete. Nanh Pagoda still preserves 116 statues crafted meticulously and elaborately. Particularly notable are the statues: the Three Worlds Buddhas set, statues of four Bodhisattvas, the Snow Mountain statue, the Four Guardian statues, statues of the patriarchs who transmitted the lamp (the Eighteen Arhats), and the Hau statue made of stone… dating to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.