Nghia Trang Hop Thien Pagoda (Trang Pagoda)

Nghia Trang Pagoda (also known as Trang Pagoda) has the literary name “Hop Thien Tu” and is located at No. 9, Alley 647, Kim Nguu Street, Vinh Tuy Ward, Hanoi. In the 2nd year of Khai Dinh (1917), the pagoda was built in the center of Hop Thien Cemetery to worship Buddha and offer incense and prayers for the souls to be liberated into the other world.
The current architecture of the pagoda includes: a three-entry gate, a brick courtyard, and a Tam Bao hall with a “ding”-shaped architectural layout consisting of the front hall and the upper sanctuary. The style, layout, and structure of the building frame bear strong marks of Nguyen Dynasty architectural art from the early 20th century.
The pagoda currently preserves typical artifacts made of wood such as horizontal plaques, couplets, scrolls, altar curtains, and incense tables, carved with themes of the four sacred creatures and four noble plants, bearing strong marks of Nguyen-era art. The decorative themes are still traditional flowers, plants, and sacred animals to express the contemporary people's timeless wish for a source of enduring happiness and prosperity. All these artifacts are lacquered and gilded, adding solemnity and splendor to the Buddha hall. Most distinctive is the system of round statues, with more than 30 statues including Buddha statues, Mother Goddess statues, and Patriarch statues, bearing the typical carving art style of the Nguyen era.
Most important is the stele “Ha Thanh Hop Thien Hoi” erected in the 2nd year of Bao Dai (1927); this is the oldest and most precious stele still remaining at the relic site. The inscription content tells of the construction of the Hop Thien Cemetery complex and pagoda, not only to display the beauty of the burial place and funeral rites, but also humanitarian charity activities that society should continue to care about and develop.
Nghia Trang Pagoda, together with the Memorial Area for compatriots who died from bombardments and the 1944–1945 famine, is both a historical witness marking the suffering in the history of the Vietnamese nation and evidence of charitable work—a beautiful action carrying the traditional cultural beauty of the nation, expressing love, lofty humanitarian spirit, and deep sympathy and sharing with everyone, just as the pagoda’s literary name “Hop Thien Tu” implies—a place that gathers good deeds.