Bo Da Pagoda: A hidden spiritual treasure with Vietnam’s largest stupa garden

Bo Da Pagoda, a historical site dating back to the Ly Dynasty, is a sacred destination in northern Vietnam.

Located approximately 55km from Hanoi, Bo Da Pagoda, situated in Tien Son commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province, is one of the most revered spiritual sites in northern Vietnam.

Officially named Quan Am Temple of Bo Da Mountain or Bo Da Son Quan Am Son Tu, the pagoda is commonly referred to as Bo Da Pagoda or Tu An Tu. Nestled at the foot of Phoenix Mountain within the Bo Da range, it enjoys a prime location with the poetic Cau River flowing nearby.

According to the Bac Giang Provincial Information Portal, Bo Da Pagoda is believed to have originated during the Ly Dynasty (11th century). It underwent major renovations during the reign of King Le Du Tong (1720–1729) and has been continuously restored in later periods.

Despite numerous restorations, Bo Da Pagoda has retained its ancient architectural essence, from its earthen walls and stupa garden to its traditional wooden structures, showcasing artistic styles from the 18th century onward.

The pagoda complex consists of several structures, with the four most significant being Chua Cao (Upper Pagoda), Am Tam Duc (Tam Duc Shrine), Chua Tu An (Tu An Pagoda), and the Stupa Garden.

Surrounded by lush bamboo groves and earthen walls resembling a fortress, the pagoda exudes a tranquil and sacred atmosphere, making it a unique spiritual retreat.

Unlike most traditional northern Vietnamese pagodas, Bo Da Pagoda features a distinctive architectural style known as "nội thông, ngoại bế" (open interior, enclosed exterior).

The pagoda’s construction utilizes natural materials such as terracotta bricks, tiles, and ceramic shards.

Notably, its enclosing walls, gates, and certain structures are made entirely of compacted earth using an ancient rammed-earth technique.

Every architectural element within the complex is intricately carved, featuring diverse motifs such as swirling clouds, spirals, chrysanthemums, inverted leaves, mythical creatures, and traditional themes like the Four Sacred Animals and Four Seasons.

Among the pagoda’s most striking features is the expansive stupa garden, which has left a lasting impression on many pilgrims and visitors.

This sacred space contains 110 stupas and tombs of varying sizes, all constructed from stone and fired bricks, bound together with lime mortar mixed with molasses and traditional handmade paper.

The stupa garden serves as the final resting place for generations of monks from the Lam Te Zen sect who practiced at Bo Da Pagoda. Spanning nearly 8,000 square meters, it is considered the largest and most beautiful stupa garden among Vietnam’s ancient temples.

Within the temple grounds, numerous relics have been preserved, including ancient stone steles, bronze bells, decorative lacquered boards, and 39 wooden statues from the Le Trung Hung era, all of great historical and artistic significance.

Beyond its architectural and artistic value, Bo Da Pagoda is also a repository of Han-Nom (classical Chinese and Vietnamese) heritage across various mediums.

The most remarkable among them is the collection of Buddhist sutra woodblocks - one of the oldest sets in Vietnam, comprising over 2,000 wooden plates used for printing scriptures.

In recognition of its cultural and historical significance, Bo Da Pagoda was designated as a National Historic Site in 1992. In 2016, it was further elevated to the status of a Special National Historic and Architectural Heritage Site by the Prime Minister of Vietnam.

Additionally, the ancient "voi" tree and banyan tree within the pagoda’s garden were recognized as Vietnam Heritage Trees by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment.

In March 2017, the Bo Da Pagoda Festival was officially inscribed on Vietnam’s list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Later that year, in December 2017, the Buddhist woodblocks of Bo Da Pagoda were declared a National Treasure.

Every year, the Bo Da Pagoda Festival is held from the 15th to the 18th of the second lunar month, attracting thousands of pilgrims and visitors.

The festival plays a vital role in promoting the historical and cultural heritage of Bo Da Pagoda and Bac Giang province to both domestic and international tourists.