Pho Minh Pagoda is situated at Tuc Mac village, Nam Dinh
province, just about 90 km southward Hanoi capital. It was built during Ly
dynasty but expanded in 1262 during Tran dynasty.
In 2012 the whole complex of Pho Minh pagoda was recognized
as one of the top national heritage of Vietnam. The pagoda is the ritual place
for high ranking mandarins and Tran royal family to worship and lead their
religious life.
The Tran’s architecture remains can be seen here like 96
plinth stones engraved with lotus flowers and the two pairs of dragons in front
of the altar house. Over 50 statutes from 120 are intact that reflects
impressive original artistic style. One of the top 4 precious holy objects of
the country, a 7-ton cauldron, is preserved in the pagoda.
The impressive Buddhist tower of Pho Minh was built in 1305
under Tran dynasty, which has 13-storey and 21 m high. It looks like a 3 level
of lotus flower, symbol of Buddhist religion. Two bottom levels of the tower was
constructed with stone with 5 m each side. And from the 3rd level it
was built of bricks that were burnt by rice straw for several months. The tower
is estimated 700 tons and relies on an area of only 30 sq meters but has stood
firmly for over 700 years. The image of Pho Minh tower was printed on Vietnamese
100-note currency.
You can do one day trip to visit Pho Minh pagoda from Hanoi,combining with boat trip in Tam Coc - Ninh Binh province. Tour starts at 7:30
AM and finishes at 17:30 departed daily.