Ninh Giang Pagoda

Dai Bi Pagoda was built on a land with a rich history, with the original place name Ninh Giang, one of the cultural cradles along the Thien Duc River; by the 17th century, the communal houses, temples, and shrines in the area were established to worship historical figures: Nguyen Non was worshipped at Ninh Giang Communal House; Ly Nhu Thai Lao was conferred the title “divine physician” and worshipped at Diem Kieu; Quan Cong Nguyen Tho Trang was worshipped at the Nguyen Tho Trang Ancestral House; Bach Sam and his wife Ly Nuong Nuong, according to legend, fought the Yin invaders alongside Saint Giong in the reign of the sixth Hung King. In particular, Phu Ninh, whose colloquial name is Lang Nanh, was the hometown of Lady Chieu Nghi Nguyen Thi Huyen, wife of King Le Hien Tong and mother of Northern Palace Queen Le Ngoc Han.

Dai Bi Pagoda was built to worship the Buddha. The term “Dai Bi” expresses the central philosophy of Buddhism—great loving-kindness and great compassion—encouraging people to do good and avoid evil. Based on the surviving physical materials, it can be affirmed that the pagoda was built early and was a fairly large pagoda, restored through various periods, most recently in 1939, as still recorded on the upper beam of the upper hall: “Fourteenth year of the Bao Dai reign

In the year of Ky Mao, fifth month, twenty-sixth day, the upper beam was raised, greatly auspicious”

Translated as: the 26th day of the 5th month of the Ky Mao year, the 14th year of the Bao Dai era (1939)

Dai Bi Pagoda was ranked as an Architectural and Artistic Relic by decision of the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) on September 27, 1997.