Thuy Ung Pagoda (Ung Xa Tu), Thuy Ung Village, Thuong Tin Commune

Thuy Ung Pagoda has the Sino-Vietnamese name Ung Xa Tu; it formerly belonged to Co Hien Canton, Thuong Tin District. The village was originally named Thuy Ung; when King Bao Dai ascended the throne, to avoid the taboo name Vinh Thuy, the village had to change its name to Tuong Ung, and after the August Revolution of 1945 it was called Thuy Ung again. Today, the pagoda is located in Thuy Ung Village, Thuong Tin Commune, Hanoi City. In the commune, Thuy Ung Village stands out for its traditional horn comb making craft, a long-established profession passed down from generation to generation. This craft not only created a distinctive brand for the village but also contributed to shaping the cultural identity characteristic of Thuong Tin land. Today, with its available potential, Thuy Ung craft village is gradually being promoted, aiming to become a typical craft village tourism destination of the capital Hanoi.

Currently, historical documents do not specifically record the time when Thuy Ung Pagoda was founded. However, based on a document still kept at the pagoda, the rear stele placed in the Upper Hall, it states: “Ten thousand years to the Chinh Hoa reign of the royal dynasty,” which suggests that the pagoda may have been built during the Le dynasty or even earlier.

With the deep religious needs of local people, the pagoda gradually became a center of religious and spiritual activity, closely tied to the spiritual life of the local community.

It has not been determined what the pagoda's original architectural layout was, but over the course of history, the current pagoda has been restored and built more spaciously and impressively.

Thuy Ung Pagoda is located in the center of Thuy Ung Village, facing southwest, surrounded by residential areas. Right next to the pagoda is the Horn Comb Craft Ancestor Temple – a place commemorating the founder of the local traditional craft.

Currently, the pagoda grounds include the main structures: the Gate, the Tam Bao (Three Jewels) Hall, the Ancestor Hall, the Mother Goddess Hall, and some auxiliary works. These structures are arranged reasonably, serving the religious beliefs and religious activities of the people.

Around the pagoda grounds, many trees are planted to provide shade, and stone lion statues are placed.

The pagoda gate is built as a single main entrance designed with two tiers, with eight curved roof corners. The roof framework is made in the traditional gia chieng – chong ruong style. Right on the upper tier is a bell tower hanging a large bell dating from the Le dynasty.

On the bell tower, on the first beam, the inscription “Chinh Hoa fourteenth year, eighth month, twelfth day” is carved, meaning the 20th day of the 8th month of the 14th Chinh Hoa year. The bell also clearly records: “Hong Chung Ung Xa ancient pagoda, royal dynasty Canh Thinh second year, first month, twenty-eighth day,” meaning the great bell of the ancient Ung Xa Pagoda was cast on the 28th day of the 1st month of the 2nd Canh Thinh year.

Beyond the pagoda gate is a large brick courtyard, a place for reception and preparation before entering the Tam Bao. From the courtyard to the Tam Bao, there is a five-step stone staircase, with the step edges decorated with bodhi-leaf patterns. The step edges are decorated with exquisite bodhi-leaf patterns. The two gable ends of the Front Hall are connected by two low walls and two pillars, with the image of four phoenixes converging on top of the pillars. The veranda consists of five bays, beneath which six roof-truss sets are arranged on a plan with four rows of column bases, supporting the entire roof system.

The Tam Bao is built in the Dinh-character (丁) plan, consisting of two main parts: the Front Hall and the Rear Hall. The Front Hall has three bays and two side wings, built in the style of closed gable walls. The central bay of the Front Hall is where Buddhists worship. On both sides of the bay are statues of the Dharma Protectors (Encouraging Goodness and Punishing Evil), next to which is an altar with statues of the Holy Sage and the Lord.

Connecting from the central bay of the Front Hall is the Rear Hall running lengthwise toward the back; this is the main worship area, inside which brick platforms are built in stepped levels, and above them is where the system of Buddha statues is placed. The highest position is the Tam The statue set, representing the past, present, and future.

The second layer is the Amitabha Buddha statue; the third layer is the Cundi Guanyin statue, crafted sitting in the lotus position on a lotus pedestal, with Guanyin Bodhisattva on the left and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva on the right; the fourth layer is the Jade Emperor statue, with two attendant statues on both sides; the fifth layer is the Nine Dragon throne. In each bay, there are gilded and lacquered hanging doors, with carved dragon motifs and stylized leaf vines, along with a system of horizontal plaques and couplets. The carved panels not only demonstrate the skilled technique of ancient artisans but also convey profound cultural and spiritual values.

The roof of the Tam Bao is covered with shoe-nose tiles; at the two ends of the ridge are two kìm ornaments, and in the center of the ridge is a scroll, inside which three Chinese characters are embossed.

The Ancestor Hall consists of seven bays, with an open veranda without doors, creating a passage to other structures; in front of the Ancestor Hall are an incense burner and two stone lamps, and on both sides are seated lion statues with their two front paws propped up. The veranda's stone columns inside are carved in relief with many motifs running all over the column shafts. The roof is decorated with the image of two dragons facing the sun and curved roof corners in the shape of dragon heads.

This is the place of worship for the patriarch monks who served as abbots of the pagoda, true cultivators who had the merit of opening the mountain, establishing, and preserving the pagoda through many generations.

Currently, the pagoda still preserves a stele Untitled with three faces, dimensions 67 x 120 cm and 44 x 92 cm, comprising 41 lines of Chinese characters, dated to the 22nd Chinh Hoa year (1701). The stele content states clearly: Lady Tran Thi Tot, a palace concubine, from Linh Duong Commune, Thanh Tri District, donated 400 quan of money and 4 mau of land to Thuy Ung Commune for the worship of the tutelary deity. The officials and people of the commune honored her as a Hau Phat (Rear Buddha) and made a commitment to hold annual memorial ceremonies to remember her merit.

Thuy Ung Pagoda was ranked as an architectural and artistic relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2008.