Bai Dinh Pagoda: Ninh Binh’s Record-Breaking Marvel

Want to find out more about the wonders of Asian architecture? Here is an opportunity to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda, the most dramatic Buddhist shrine in Vietnam and Southeast Asia; known not only for its grand and amazing architecture but also for the wonderful serenity of the place. It is in northern Vietnam, more specifically, in the terrestrial Halong Bay of Ninh Binh. Come and retrace the footsteps of ancient Vietnamese kings and let the beauty and tranquility of the place overwhelm you... Follow the guide!

Written by Oliver PHUNG (Local expert)Updated on 18-02-2025

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What is Bai Dinh Pagoda?

Nestled just a stone's throw away from the iconic Trang An complex, Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the most famous religious, cultural, and historical sites in Vietnam. It is an important Buddhist complex in Vietnam, cherished simultaneously by tourists, Vietnamese people, and practicing Buddhists. From across the world, they come to pay their reverence to this architectural splendor and aesthetic brilliance, unparalleled by any other place.

"Bai" stands for the practice of worship, and "Dinh" stands for naming the summit. Thus, Bai Dinh suggests "the worship of Heaven and Earth, as well as the Buddha and the heavenly angels," a name that invigorates the belief of its followers. The greatest pagoda complex in Bai Dinh itself extends over about 530 hectares, and part of its ground rises to 187 meters above sea level from the summit of Mount Dinh, a limestone mountain clothed in verdant greenery.

Bai Dinh is characterized by an ancient pagoda built inside two caves and a new pagoda, located 800 meters from the old pagoda, where many sacred temples and exceptional Buddhist monuments are laid out and connected by two long corridors. The new pagoda has been a work in progress since 2003 and is on track to become the most significant Buddhist center in Southeast Asia. The entire site is adorned with flora and trees, with the bodhi tree, originally from Hindu temples in India, found everywhere in Bai Dinh.

It holds religious importance and is highly revered as a shrine by many practicing Buddhists. Many people make a pilgrimage to Bai Dinh every year. With the increasing influence of the site in recent years, the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival is observed from the 6th day of the first lunar month to the end of the 3rd lunar month every year.

Bai Dinh Pagoda – Vietnam’s Largest Buddhist Temple with Records

Wondering why Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the most original in Asia? It is simply the pagoda of all records! Designated as the largest pagoda in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, it is also nicknamed the pagoda with unique records in the world.

1. The largest gilded bronze Buddha statue in Asia: A 100-ton statue located in the Pháp Chủ Hall.
2. The largest bronze Maitreya Buddha statue in Southeast Asia: A 100-ton open-air Maitreya Buddha statue.
3. The largest bronze bell in Vietnam: A large 36-ton bronze bell located in the bell tower.
4. The tallest pagoda in Asia: The Bao Thap Tower of Bai Dinh Pagoda (Ninh Binh) has 13 floors and is 100 meters tall.
5. The largest pagoda complex in Vietnam: The total area is 539 hectares (27 hectares for the old pagoda and 80 hectares for the new one).
6. The longest Arhat corridor in Asia: The Arhat corridor is about 3 km long.
7. The pagoda complex with the greatest number of Arhat statues in Vietnam: 500 bluestone statues, each about 2 meters tall.
8. The pagoda complex with the biggest jade well in Vietnam.
9. The pagoda complex with the highest number of sacred fig trees in Vietnam: 100 sacred fig trees grafted from a Bodhi tree from India.

It is, therefore, no coincidence that Bai Dinh Temple is one of the most visited sites by travelers and locals in the Trang An complex!

Bai Dinh Pagoda: Highlights & Key Attractions

• The Ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda

The ancient pagoda is a thousand years old and was built in 1136 during the Ly Dynasty (1009 1225). Now, it lies on Mount Dinh at an altitude of 187 meters above sea level, tucked away in the Toi and Sang caves, and boasts of having temples in a cave, which is an architectural feature of pagodas and a cultural emblem of Vietnam.

In this location, you must fasten your belt and dare to climb 300 steps to reach the site, where one can have a great view of the grandiose sanctuary. The latter is composed of two caves: the Blood Light cave on the right and the Tôi Dark cave on the left. In feudal times, sacrificial ceremonies and rites were organized by the emperors of yesteryear.

It is connected to the Mother Goddess of the Nation Mau and marked by four giant ideograms, ancient Vietnamese script influenced by Chinese, engraved by King Le Thanh Tong to outline the beauty of the cave. On the altar of the temple, there are traditional statues representing the Buddhas of the past, present, and future, as well as the Buddhas Sakyamuni and Kwan Yi. Going through the exit at the bottom, in fact, gives you a great view of the splendid panorama of the green valley.

The Toi Dark cave is 25 meters long and 15 meters wide and is dedicated to Sakyamuni Buddha. During your exploration, the coolness of the cave fills your being, and you are awed by the many stalactites and plays of light, truly a worthy spectacle that you would expect in an exotic and lunar setting. It even has dragon shaped steps and natural skylights.

• The New Bai Dinh Pagoda

The new Bai Dinh Pagoda features several Buddhist temples divided into tears and pavilions, the Bell Tower, and a monumental Buddha stupa that watches over the mortals from its hill. All these shrines are connected by the two corridors of La Han, housing 500 Arhat statues. The configuration of this pagoda has been made so that visitors can discover the shrines of the Buddha of the past, then of the present, and finally the one of the futures.

• The Corridors of La Han

On the way, we get to see 500 Arhat statues, which are sculpted from blue stone with a height ranging between 2 and 2.5 meters and are said to be carved by talented craftsmen from Ninh Binh. These statues are arranged in such a way as to accompany the visitor towards the light of Buddha. Every statue has a different shape and expression, illustrating all types of human emotions, such as joy, anger, satisfaction, frustration, etc.

• Buddhist Temples and Buddha Effigies

Each level offers sumptuous Buddhist temples for discovery! The temples of Tam Thê and Phap Chu are the two significant structures of the site, with a total area of 1000 square meters.

The peculiarity of the Tam Thê Palace is that it has three 50-tonne bronze Buddha statues, which are exceptional because they symbolize the Buddha of the Past, Present, and Future.

The height of the Phap Chu Palace is 22 meters, with five scores. Inside, you can admire a pure bronze statue of Buddha Sakyamuni, which rises 10 meters high and weighs 100 tons. This artwork is acknowledged as the largest statue in all of Vietnam.

• The Sacred Stupa of the Buddha's Relic (Bảo Tháp Xá Lợi)

Among the different stupas, this is the place for the keeping of the relics of Buddha that have been given by India and Burma (Myanmar). There are 13 stories in this stupa, which has a height of 100 m, with an elevator and 72 steps. This stupa is considered the tallest in Southeast Asia. The majestic structure of Xa Loi stands in a beautiful place, to the west of the Tam The Palace, specializing in superficial sky architecture.

The base of the tower is a solid hexagonal structure made of purely Vietnamese materials like Bat Trang fired brick, in the decorative art style of the Ly Dynasty. Small stone Buddha statues are now made with harmony and arranged from the foot upwards around the 6 edges of the stupa. Step within the stupa and you will be overwhelmed by the metallic space within, which houses the hugest gold-plated Shakyamuni Buddha.

• The Chuông Bell Tower

The page shows the Chuông Bell, which is worshipped for Kwan Yi, a Buddhist Lady of Mercy, and is also east of Buddhist temples of new pagodas. The structure itself is atypical as the bell is eight-sided and has three levels.

It contains a bronze bell of 36 tons, which is considered the largest in Vietnam. Local beliefs claim that the person who hears the sound of this bell will be blessed by Buddha himself. Below the bell, there is a bronze drum, which weighs around 70 tons.

Vietnam can be considered "the land of pagodas." Not only Bai Dinh Pagoda, but there are plenty of other grand sacred buildings that stand in Vietnam. Interested in temples and pagodas in Vietnam? Here are the top 11 most beautiful Vietnamese temples.

Other Must-See Sights on Trang An complex

• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Hoa Lu was the imperial capital of Vietnam until the tenth and eleventh centuries, during the reign of the three royal dynasties of Dinh, Tien Le, and Ly. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in view of its remarkable imperial temples, harmonious lanes and courtyards, and noble and precious materials; you have the impression that by walking in Hoa Lu, you are walking back in time and retracing the monument-embossed feudal history.

• Tam Coc

Tam Coc by rowboat is one activity that should be carried out while exploring the land of Ninh Binh. Of course, it is a splendid sail on the Ngo Dong River between sugar loaves all covered with vegetation and deep in abundant rice fields, and the surprise, agility, and strength of the rowers, who steer with their feet. Tam Coc has the particularity of crossing, alongside three caves that could also be crossed by boat, which is enough to be dazzling!

• Trang An

With emerald peaks nestled down by the river, Trang An seems to present a landscape similar to that of the famous Halong Bay. A tranquil boat cruise along the watery boulevards of Trang An takes you through forests that have an endless display of wonderful-looking vegetation-clad karst peaks and provides views of the clear waters of the river. You will also be fortunate enough to visit caves, royal temples, and the film set for the famous blockbuster "Kong: Skull Island."

• Mua Cave

To enjoy the splendid sights of Tam Coc's landscapes, head to Mua Cave, where you'll have to climb about 480 stairs to be rewarded with a breathtakingly panoramic view of Tam Coc, including sugar loaves, rivers, and bright rice fields as far as the eye can see. This is simply a must-see view!

Conclusion

Bai Dinh and Trang An complexes are full of treasures, natural as well as cultural, waiting to be discovered. A visit to the iconic sites would allow you to explore not only stunning landscapes but also the very heart of Vietnamese spirituality and heritage. From the endless fields of rice, the magnificent karst mountains, and the architectural richness of the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the trip would surely become an unforgettable one that very harmoniously blends nature and culture.

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