Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi Vietnam: Things You Need to Know

Tran Quoc Pagoda (Vietnamese: Chùa Trấn Quốc) is the oldest Pagoda in Hanoi and Vietnam. It dates back to the 6th century during the reign of King Ly Nam De (from 544 - 548). This Buddhist Temple has undergone several changes throughout the years, particularly its renaming from An Quoc Pagoda to Tran Quoc Pagoda (protecting the country) by King Le Huy Tong in the 17th century.

• Location: On Thanh Nien Road, Yen Phu ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
• Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (Monday to Sunday)
• Tel: +84 4 3829 3869
• Entrance fee: Free of Charge
• Dress Code: Cloths to cover your knees & shoulders

Although it’s now set on an islet on the West Lake (Hồ Tây), the Tran Quoc Pagoda was originally buit on banks of the Red River before it was relocated in 1615 due to the encroachment of Red River. Surrounded by lush of green, Tran Quoc Ancient Buddhist Temple was a favourite pagoda amongst the kings and royal families for festivals of full moons, and Tet Celebrations.

Standing at about 15 metres, the main temple architecture is made up of eleven levels, while its surrounding temples include an incense burning houses and a museum housing with historic relics. Visitors can also see intricately carved statues built in 1639, each of them bear an unique facial feature.

Tran Quoc Pagoda open daily from 07:30 til 16:00, the temple is free for visitors to enter all year long, though it is always packed with devotees during annual festivities like Tet Anniversary and Buddha’s Celebration. As it’s a holy place of worship for locals, so visitors are advised to dress conservatively out of respect for the buddhist monks and locals.

How to Get to Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi?

The Tran Quoc Pagoda is located just 5 kilometers from the city center, so you can get there by some different means of transportation:
•    By Public Bus: you can get the bus No. 50, that drops you off right in front of the Tran Quoc Pagoda. If it’s not convenient for you to catch this bus, you can get on other bus No. 31, 41, 55A, 55B or 58 to stop at An Duong bus station, then you can walk around 5 minutes to get there.
•    By mettered/ grab taxi: To get to Tran Quoc Pagoda by taxi, it is easy and better to book one by Grab application on your mobile phone. So you do not have to worry with Rip-off Taxi.
•    By motorbike taxi (Xe Ôm): You can rent a motorbike taxi with driver to easily move around the West Lake also. It takes about 10 minutes to get to Tran Quoc Pagoda from the Old Quarter.

Adventure Journey

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• Hanoi City Tour 1 Day: Best Sightseeing Day Trips in Hanoi

See Also:

• List of Best Things to Do & Top Places to See in Hanoi Vietnam

• Best Local Food That Should Not Be Missed in Ha Noi Vietnam