Dau Pagoda

Dau Pagoda (Chua Dau) is an ancient Buddhist pagoda located in Thanh Khuong Commune, Thuan Thanh District, Bac Ninh Province, about 30 km east of Hanoi. Regarded as the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam and the center of the historic Luy Lau Buddhist center, it was originally built in the 2nd-3rd century and rebuilt in the 14th century. The pagoda is noted for its worship of Phap Van, its historic architecture, and its annual traditional festival.

Visitors can expect a historic Buddhist temple complex set in a rural village landscape with traditional Vietnamese pagoda architecture, courtyards, ancient brick tower (Hoa Phong Tower), statues of Phap Van and other Buddhist figures, and quiet garden areas. The complex includes the main worship hall, stele house, and relic displays. The atmosphere is tranquil outside festival days, with opportunities to observe local worship practices, view historic artifacts, and explore the surrounding Luy Lau archaeological area.

Dau Pagoda was originally built in the late 2nd century (around 187-226) during the Shi Xie period and is considered the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam. It served as the center of the Luy Lau Buddhist center, the first Buddhist center in Vietnam. The pagoda was rebuilt and expanded in 1313 during the Tran Dynasty and has undergone several restorations. It is associated with the legend of Man Nuong and the introduction of Buddhism to Vietnam, and preserves relics and steles from the Ly and Tran periods.

The pagoda is a major center of Vietnamese Buddhism and the principal site for worship of Phap Van, one of the Four Dharma (Tu Phap) representing clouds, rain, thunder and lightning in folk belief combined with Buddhism. It hosts the annual Dau Pagoda Festival on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, featuring processions, rituals and folk performances that reflect the fusion of Buddhism and local agricultural beliefs. It is recognized as a National Special Relic site.