The Thay Pagoda is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Sai Son Mountain, around 30 kilometres south-west of Hanoi. The pagoda, which is also known as Thien Phuc Tu pagoda, was built in 11th century during the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong. The site is a drawcard for pilgrams — and also to a lesser extent tourists — because of its history, culture and beautiful landscape.
The Pagoda is closely associated with Buddhist monk Tu Dau Hanh, who was a venerated medic, mystic, healer and inventor who was famous for his generosity to the poor, healing and educating them. He also established the cultural traditions of wrestling and water puppetry — an art form which is still popular today.
The Thay Pagoda fronts the Long Chieu Lake, and in the middle of the lake is the floating Thuy Dinh temple, which serves as the stage or pavilion for water puppet shows. The Pagoda itself comprises three sections — the lower (Ha), middle (Trung) and upper (Thuong) — each with differents functions. The Ha Pagoda is where offerings and ceremonies take place, the Trung Pagoda is the place for worship of Buddha and the Thuong Pagoda is where Tu Dao Hanh is worshipped.
With the mysterious Sai Son mountain as a backdrop, the charming ambience of the village and the peaceful setting, and the ancient architecture of the Thay Pagoda, this area is one of northern Vietnam's cultural and historical icons and a true hidden gem.
Tay Phuong Pagoda
The Tay Phuong Pagoda — aslo known as Sung Phuc Pagoda — was built in the 7th century, and has undergone several reconstructions since that time. The pagoda is at the top of a climb of 240 steps, but worth it for the view, peaceful surrounds and shade from centuries old trees.READ MORE
Che Lam in Thach Xa Commune
The Tay Phuong Pagoda is not only famous for its stunning design and Arhat statues, but also for che lam made by the Thach Xa community. Even though there are many villages across Vietnam, Thach Xa is the most well known for Che Lam — a delicious kind of sweet porridge that was originally used to worship ancestors during Tet.READ MORE
Water puppetry's design in Phu Hoa village
According to village history, water puppetry orginated at the Thay Pagoda, where it was introduced by Tu Dao Hanh in the 11th century. The centuries old traditon still thrives in Phu Hoa, where them puppet guild — consisting of 20 members — meets to perform water puppetry in the annual village festival.READ MORE