Tay Phuong Pagoda

5.010.000₫

Introduction

Located on the top of Cau Lau Mountain, Tay Phuong Pagoda (whose Sino-Vietnamese name is Sung Phuc Tu) is one of the distinctive ancient temples of the Doai region. To reach the pagoda, visitors follow stone steps up the mountain, leaving behind the rhythm of village life to enter a space of soaring curved pagoda roofs, exquisite wood carvings, and especially a world of Buddha statues with rare expressiveness. The pagoda was classified as a Special National Relic Site in 2014; the 18 Arhat statues from the Tay Son period, dating to the late 18th century, were recognized as National Treasures in 2015.

Tay Phuong Pagoda - an ancient temple with much lingering attachment. Photo: collected

At Tay Phuong, what makes people feel lingering attachment is perhaps not only the pagoda scenery on the mountain, but also the faces of the statues, which seem to still carry the many thoughts and emotions of people from hundreds of years ago.

The ancient three-entrance gate of Tay Phuong Pagoda stands out amid the scenery of the Doai region. Photo: collected

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Story

01Don't miss

Conquer the stone steps up to the pagoda, slowly feel the scenery change with each step.
Look up at the overlapping roof tiers with soaring curved corner eaves amid the green of leaves.
Admire the 18 Arhat statues , each face and seated posture has its own expression.
Explore the art of wood carving on the roof trusses, bracket ends, and architectural components.
Join the Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival during the main festival season in the third lunar month every year.

02Ancient pagoda roof tiers halfway up the mountain

Passing through the pagoda gate, the first impression is the three sections—Front Hall, Central Hall, and Upper Hall—arranged in parallel in the shape of the character Tam. The building uses traditional materials such as ironwood, laterite, and fired brick; most striking is the two-tier, eight-roof overlapping architecture, with soaring curved corner eaves that create an appearance both imposing and graceful. Take time to look closely at the roof trusses and wooden components. In the solemn space, subtly carved dragons, phoenixes, and patterns make the architecture here not only a place of worship but also like a large sculpture amid Cau Lau Mountain.

The overlapping roof tiers and soaring curved corner eaves create the distinctive appearance of Tay Phuong Pagoda. Photo: collected

03The Arhat statues leave visitors with lingering feelings

The most special thing about Tay Phuong Pagoda lies in its world of Buddha statues preserved over many centuries. Most famous are the 18 Arhat statues made of jackfruit wood, part of the Buddha statue system of special value in ancient Vietnamese sculpture. Don't just skim past each statue. Stop before faces with different eyes, wrinkles, postures, and expressions. Some are pensive, some seem to be contemplating, some look austere, some kind.... It is precisely this portrayal close to human emotion that makes the Arhat statues vivid and once inspired Huy Can's poem “The Arhat Statues of Tay Phuong Pagoda.”

The Arhat statues of Tay Phuong Pagoda with expressive faces that leave visitors with a sense of “lingering attachment” . Photo: collected

04Festival season on Cau Lau Mountain

Every third lunar month, the ancient temple space shifts to a different rhythm as locals and visitors come to the Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival. The main festival falls on the 6th day of the third lunar month, with Buddhist rituals, palanquin processions, games, and folk cultural activities. In 2025, the Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival - a traditional cultural activity of the people of the Doai region. Photo: collected

Leaving Tay Phuong Pagoda, what remains is perhaps not only the ancient roof tiers amid green mountains. It is also the pensive gaze of an ancient Arhat statue, a carved line on wood, or the silence in the pagoda hall—things enough to make people leave with a little “lingering attachment” still in their hearts.

05Notes for visitors

The path up to the pagoda has many stone steps, so choose comfortable, easy-to-walk shoes;
Dress appropriately, keep quiet, and respect the place of worship;
Do not touch statues, offerings, or ancient carved components; note the photography regulations in each area;
The Tay Phuong Pagoda Festival in the third lunar month is often crowded, so arrive early to have time to visit and admire the architecture and Buddha statues.

Tay Phuong Pagoda

Introduction

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