Tran Quoc Pagoda

Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Hanoi, located on a small island on the eastern shore of West Lake in Yen Phu, Tay Ho District. Originally built in the 6th century during the reign of Ly Nam De as Khai Quoc Pagoda and relocated to its current site in 1615, it is renowned for its 11-storey lotus-shaped stupa, historic Buddhist statues, and sacred Bodhi tree, serving as a major spiritual and cultural landmark.

Visitors can expect a serene Buddhist complex on a small island connected to Thanh Nien Road by a causeway, surrounded by West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. The site features a tall 11-storey hexagonal stupa, multiple prayer halls with Buddha statues, incense offerings, a courtyard with a Bodhi tree, and landscaped gardens. The atmosphere is tranquil and religious, with areas for worship, sightseeing and photography overlooking the lake.

Originally built as Khai Quoc Pagoda between 541-547 during the reign of Ly Nam De on the bank of the Red River. Relocated to its present island in West Lake in 1615 during the Le Trung Hung period and renamed Tran Quoc, meaning National Defence. The pagoda has been restored multiple times and preserves steles from 1639 documenting its history, representing over 1,400 years of Vietnamese Buddhism.

An important center of Vietnamese Buddhism and a national cultural relic. It houses valuable Buddhist statues, serves as an active place of worship for monks and pilgrims, and is known for the Bodhi tree gifted in 1959 by Indian President Rajendra Prasad, symbolizing Vietnam-India Buddhist ties. It is a major spiritual landmark for festivals and religious observances.