Introduction
Ninh Binh is a famous land blessed by nature with many beautiful landscapes that the world has recognized. It is also the ancient capital of Vietnam, which was under the Dinh and Le dynasties. These two dynasties were extremely interested in the development of religion, especially Buddhism, so many religious sites have been built on this land. Moreover, if you want to discover the mysteries of dynasties and interesting facts about these places, go with Ninh Binh Private Car to explore Ninh Binh Religious Sites.
What is Spiritual Tourism?
In Vietnamese culture, spiritual life has long become an indispensable part. Not only is it associated with daily religious activities, but this day also goes deep into tourism activities called spiritual tourism. In this form of tourism, spirituality is the goal and is associated with cultural values such as history, religion, and beliefs. Therefore, spiritual tourism not only brings tourists to experience a new land but also brings spiritual values.
In recent years, Ninh Binh tourism has developed strongly. Ninh Binh is famous not only for its majestic beauty but also for its historical and cultural relics and profound traditional festivals. Historical and cultural relics are favorable conditions for Ninh Binh to develop spiritual tourism. Let’s learn about Ninh Binh’s Religious Sites below.
Ancestor Worship in Vietnam
In addition to worshiping their religions, Vietnamese people also believe in worshiping dead ancestors. Vietnamese people worship people who have contributed to the country, such as kings or heroes in history. Vietnamese people will often set up an altar to worship deceased family members.
Temples will be built to worship those who have contributed to the country, such as King Le or King Dinh. This has been deeply imprinted in the subconscious of Vietnamese people and has become a belief and a beautiful cultural feature. On holidays, Tet, or death anniversaries of the deceased, Vietnamese people will organize a party and serve sumptuous food to commemorate the deceased. This is not a religion but a belief rooted in respect for the deceased.
Ninh Binh Religious Sites Related To Buddhism
Bai Dinh Pagoda – Biggest Pagoda In Ninh Binh Religious Sites
When talking about Ninh Binh Religious Sites, it is impossible not to mention Bai Dinh Pagoda in the first place. With more than 1,000 years of history, the land of Bai Dinh is associated with historical anecdotes of many feudal dynasties from the Dinh Dynasty, the Early Le Dynasty, to the Ly Dynasty. 12km from Ninh Binh City, Bai Dinh Pagoda has an area of up to 1,700 hectares, including two ancient pagodas and a new pagoda, which has become one of the most famous landmarks in Vietnam.
Ly Quoc Su Nguyen Minh Khong founded Bai Dinh’s ancient pagoda in the early 10th century. The area includes a Bright Cave where they worship Buddha and Gods and a Dark Cave where they worship Mother Goddesses and Xian (Immortal), a temple where Saint Nguyen, the founder of the pagoda, is buried, and a temple where God Cao Son, one of the 50 children who followed Au Co’s mother to the mountain, was awarded the title of Lac General Vu Lam, is worshipped.
This campus also has Ngoc Well, located near the foot of Bai Dinh mountain. This is where Ly Quoc Su Nguyen Minh Khong took water to make medicine and treat sick people. The well has an area of up to 6,000 square meters, making Bai Dinh Pagoda register as “The pagoda with the largest well in Vietnam.”
The new Bai Dinh pagoda area, built in 2003, is the largest in Ninh Binh Religious Sites. Massive architectural works, such as the largest gold-plated bronze Buddha statue in Asia and the largest bronze statue of Maitreya in Southeast Asia, have been recorded in Vietnamese and Asian record books. If you can, visit Bai Dinh Pagoda At Night to see its full beauty.
Bich Dong Pagoda
Bich Dong Pagoda is the second most beautiful cave in Vietnam and is next on the list of Ninh Binh Religious Sites. This ancient pagoda was built on the Truong Yen limestone mountain range in Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province. It has been certified as a national historical relic under the Trang An—Tam Coc—Bich Dong scenic complex and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Bich Dong Pagoda was built around the 15th century and worships Shakyamuni Buddha. Above the pagoda roof are two Chinese characters, “Bich Dong,” carved on the cliff by Grand Chancellor Nguyen Nghiem in 1775 by order of Lord Trinh Sam. This is one of the most sacred places among religious sites in Ninh Binh, attracting many tourists yearly.
Ninh Binh Religious Sites Related To Catholicism
Phat Diem Cathedral
Ninh Binh Religious Sites has prominent Buddhist temples, and Phat Diem Cathedral is said to be the most beautiful cathedral in Vietnam. This Catholic church complex of about 22 hectares is located in Phat Diem town, Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province. In addition, this place is extremely ancient, having existed for more than 100 years since its completion in 1899. Priest Peter Tran Luc presided over the construction of this sanctuary.
This church’s unique feature is that it is made entirely of stone and wood, following ancient Vietnamese architecture. The church includes a large church and five small churches, including a church made of natural stone, a pond, and three artificial stone caves. If you want to learn about Ninh Binh Religious Sites, this is a place you cannot miss.
Chau Son Monastery
Chau Son Monastery in Ninh Binh Religious Sites is considered to be no different from Europe. This is a Cistercian monastery in Phu Son commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province. It is 65 km from Phat Diem Cathedral and 35 km from Ninh Binh city.
The monastery’s unique feature is its Gothic design style, with surrounding walls up to 0.6 m thick and 1.2 m thick columns creating warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer. The pillars are like small, symmetrical towers stretching 64 meters long. In addition, the wall is harmoniously decorated with windows divided into two floors, upper and lower, with extremely luxurious wooden glass doors inside.
Inside the cathedral, white is the main color, and the dome has beautiful reliefs. In addition, there is a garden outside with hundreds of different species of plants and flowers planted and cared for by the parish priests. Visitors learn more about the unique features of religion and architecture and relax their souls in the beautiful monastery garden.
Ancient Temples In Ninh Binh Religious Sites
Thai Vi Temple
Thai Vi Temple is a famous religious site in Ninh Binh, located in Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu. The temple is associated with the story of King Tran Thai Tong, who won a victory over the Mongol invaders and became a monk here. The temple was first built in 1258 and has existed to this day. After more than 1,000 years, it is still largely intact.
Unlike the large, majestic temples in other places, the Thai Vi Temple looks very simple. Its main purpose is to serve the ordination of King Tran Thai Tong. Stone and wood are the two primary materials used to build this temple. The exquisitely sculpted stone pillars represent the artistic style of the Tran Dynasty. The temple has many stone steles, statues, and ancient bells of great material and spiritual value.
In addition, tourists who visit on the 14th, 15th, or 16th of the third lunar month can participate in the big festival here. This festival honors the king’s victory over the Mongol army and commemorates the souls of those who died in the war.
Dinh And Le Temples
Ninh Binh Religious Sites are not only religious places but also some of the spiritual beliefs of the Vietnamese people. This includes temples of kings and predecessors who contributed to building the country of Vietnam. Dinh And Le Temples is a famous landmark in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital that tourists should visit to learn about Vietnamese history.
Although the era of King Dinh and King Le was more than 1,000 years ago, these two temples remain intact. King Dinh and Le Temple were built during the Ly Dynasty, but the Later Le Dynasty rebuilt them in the 17th century. They are located in Truong Yen commune. Every year, on major holidays or the king’s death anniversary, people organize solemn rituals to express gratitude for the contributions of the two kings.
These two temples retain historical items, such as Long Sang (King’s Bed) at Dinh Temples. Long Sang is meticulously sculpted in the shape of a dragon and is considered a national treasure of Vietnam. After thousands of years of time and countless wars, this treasure is still quite intact.
Best Time To Visit Ninh Binh Religious Sites
Due to its humid tropical climate, Ninh Binh’s weather is divided into four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season has its own beauty, depending on each person’s feelings. If you can visit Ninh Binh many times, try to go at different times to experience the distinct beauty.
- Ninh Binh spring is from January to March of the lunar calendar; the weather is warm and pleasant.
- Summer lasts from April to the end of June. The weather is hot and humid but not too hot, with much rain. The highest temperature in Ninh Binh is 36 – 38 degrees Celsius.
- Autumn in Ninh Binh lasts from July to October. At this time, the harsh summer sun has been replaced by clear skies, gentle early autumn winds.
- Winter lasts from Late October to December. The weather is dry but quite cold, with low temperatures as low as 5-7 degrees Celsius.
The best time to explore Ninh Binh Religious Sites is the sunny season, spring and summer. That means from January to the end of June of the lunar calendar. During this period, the weather is sunny, warm, and pleasant, suitable for sightseeing trips. You can row a boat on the Ngo Dong River or travel by bicycle, which is also a good idea.
Conclusion
The religious sites in Ninh Binh offer a unique blend of spirituality, history, and stunning architecture. All of that makes them must-visit destinations for travelers. From the grandeur of Bai Dinh Pagoda to the peaceful charm of Chau Son Monastery and the ancient beauty of Bich Dong Pagoda, each site reflects Vietnam’s deep cultural and religious heritage. In addition, you can learn more about the history of the ancient capital at Dinh and Le Temples. Whether you seek spiritual reflection, cultural exploration, or breathtaking scenery, Ninh Binh’s religious sites provide a meaningful and memorable experience. Ninh Binh Private Car hopes that you have the best experience when exploring Ninh Binh Religious Sites.