Yen Tu is one of Vietnam’s most renowned scenic and spiritual sites. It is not only for its majestic and poetic natural beauty, but also as a major center of Vietnamese Buddhism. Located on Yen Tu Mountain in Quang Ninh Province, this is the place where King Tran Nhan Tong founded the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist sect in the 13th century. Yen Tu lies about 50 km from Ha Long Bay and 100 km northeast of Hanoi.
The complex is famous for Dong Pagoda at the mountain’s summit (1,068 meters above sea level), Hoa Yen Pagoda, and its dramatic mountainous landscapes, attracting countless pilgrims and visitors who come to worship and seek spiritual fulfillment.
Highlights of Yen Tu Pagoda Complex:
• Location: Nam Mau Hamlet, Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province.
• History: After abdicating the throne, King Tran Nhan Tong chose Yen Tu as his place of spiritual retreat, where he established the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen sect—a distinctly Vietnamese school of Buddhism.
• Dong Pagoda: The most sacred landmark of Yen Tu, located at the highest peak at 1,068 meters above sea level. The pagoda is entirely cast from solid bronze and is considered the spiritual heart of the complex.
• Hoa Yen Pagoda: A large and beautifully designed pagoda featuring typical 13th-century Vietnamese architecture. Situated at an elevation of 535 meters, it was once the main site where King Tran Nhan Tong preached Buddhist teachings.
• Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Monastery: An important center for meditation and Buddhist practice.
• Lan Pagoda: A place where monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists practice and study.
Best time to visit:
The Yen Tu Spring Festival takes place from the 10th day of the first lunar month until the end of the third lunar month.
Getting there:
Visitors can climb thousands of stone steps to reach the upper sites or take a modern cable car system to higher areas such as Hoa Yen Pagoda and Dong Pagoda.
Heritage status:
In 2025, the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.
A journey to Yen Tu Pagoda offers a deeply spiritual experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature amid lush pine and bamboo forests, drifting clouds, and the serene atmosphere of the mountain peaks.
