Explore Long Tien Pagoda - The Pagoda Nestled at the Foot of Bai Tho Mountain

An Overview of Long Tien Pagoda

1.1 History of the Pagoda

Long Tien Pagoda was built in 1941, during the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty. It is dedicated to deities, Buddhas, and national hero generals who rendered meritorious service to the country. The pagoda adheres to the Northern Buddhism (Mahayana) tradition, advocating the principle of self-salvation and salvation for others—not only seeking enlightenment and liberation for oneself but also helping all sentient beings achieve enlightenment and liberation.

1.2 Where is Long Tien Pagoda located?

Long Tien Pagoda covers the largest area in Ha Long and is located on the street of the same name, renowned for preserving the city's long-standing historical and cultural values. In addition, this pagoda sits beneath Bai Tho Mountain, boasting a peaceful and quiet setting that is ideal for spiritual and worship activities. Therefore, every spring during the Lunar New Year, Long Tien Pagoda hosts festivals for visitors and Buddhists from far and wide to pay homage and pray for peace and good fortune.

1.3 Ideal Time to Visit and Sightsee at Long Tien Pagoda

The most ideal time of the year to visit Long Tien Pagoda is during the festival season right after the Lunar New Year. At this time, numerous cultural, spiritual, and recreational activities are organized at the pagoda. Coming to Long Tien Pagoda, visitors can learn about the life, daily routines, and cultural beauty of the people of Quang Ninh. The peaceful, quiet, and tranquil atmosphere here will surely help you leave behind external worries and hustles. Notably, the period from May to December is the off-peak travel season, so visiting during this time will be quite uncrowded, allowing you to take in the pagoda's beauty in an exceptionally serene ambiance.

How to Travel to Long Tien Pagoda

To get to Long Tien Pagoda, you can choose to travel by coach from Hanoi, departing from stations such as Gia Lam, My Dinh, or Luong Yen. The coach will take you to Bai Chay Bus Station, where you can then take a taxi to reach Long Tien Pagoda.

If you prefer driving independently, you can follow this itinerary: Depart from Hanoi -> Sai Dong Junction -> Bac Ninh -> follow National Highway 18 to Pha Lai -> Chi Linh -> Dong Trieu -> Uong Bi -> Ha Long. Next, from the center of Ha Long City, turn onto Nguyen Du Street, continue for about 700m onto Le Thanh Tong Street. Upon reaching the Bach Dang Cinema parking lot, park your vehicle here and hire a taxi or motorbike taxi to reach the pagoda.

For visitors already touring Ha Long Bay who wish to stop by Long Tien Pagoda, you can choose to cross the river by small ferry. Hiring a boat to Long Tien Pagoda costs around 100,000 VND/person, with each trip typically carrying about 10 passengers. Traveling in larger groups helps save on costs.

Sightseeing at Long Tien Pagoda

Long Tien Pagoda in Ha Long spans a vast area, so if you wish to explore this famous pagoda thoroughly, you will need to allocate at least half a day along with a clear itinerary. Entering Long Tien Pagoda, you will see the Three-Entrance Gate (Tam Quan) with 3 gates representing Being, Non-being, and Greatness. Among them, the largest middle gate is reserved for Buddhists entering to worship, while the two smaller side gates are designated for regular visitors and sightseers.

Continuing deeper into the pagoda grounds, you will see the statue of Bodhidharma—regarded as the founder of Chinese Zen (Chan) Buddhism. The right wing of the pagoda houses the altar dedicated to Mother Van Phuong. Long Tien Pagoda worships deities of the Northern tradition, generals from the Tran Dynasty, and various Buddhas following traditional Vietnamese religious beliefs.

Sunrise and sunset are the best times to sightsee at Long Tien Pagoda. Gentle sunbeams combined with the quiet atmosphere create a fairyland-like setting far away from mundane life. If you travel during spring or major holidays throughout the year, it is recommended to visit around noon or late afternoon, as there will be fewer visitors, helping you avoid crowds and jostling.

On the 23rd day of the 4th lunar month each year, visitors to Long Tien Pagoda can immerse themselves in the lively festival atmosphere of Buddhist pilgrims. In addition, the Long Tien Pagoda Festival attracts numerous visitors coming to pray for good fortune and smooth progress throughout the year, warding off bad omens. The festival captivates tourists through intriguing rituals imbued with traditional Vietnamese culture, such as cheo folk singing, the palanquin procession of the Duc Ong ancestral tablet, traditional wrestling, chau van ritual singing, and human chess games...

How to Select Offerings When Visiting Long Tien Pagoda

When coming to Long Tien Pagoda, many visitors wonder what offerings they should bring to present to the deities and Buddhas. According to experienced visitors, Long Tien Pagoda is quite similar to other pagodas; typical offerings include fruit, glutinous rice, sweet soups, various types of pastries, and cakes. In addition, visitors should prepare fresh flowers to offer to the deities and Buddhas, such as peonies, lotus blossoms, or fresh chrysanthemums, while selecting odd numbers of fruits that are unbruised and fresh.

One important note is that hell banknotes and joss paper are strictly prohibited on the Buddhist altars. Cash donations should be placed into the merit boxes inside the pagoda. If you prepare savory offerings (boiled chicken, sticky rice, pig's head, etc.), you should only present them at the area dedicated to the Tran Dynasty generals or the Mother Goddess shrine.

Important Notes When Visiting Long Tien Pagoda

To ensure a smooth visit to Long Tien Pagoda, MIA.vn shares several useful tips with travelers below:

First, choose neat, respectful, modest clothing with elegant colors when visiting Long Tien Pagoda. Buddhists are encouraged to wear traditional grey or brown Buddhist lay robes when making offerings to deities and Buddhas.

Second, strictly refrain from commenting disrespectfully on religious matters, Buddha statues, or the local rituals. In addition, do not talk or laugh loudly in the main sanctuary (Tam Bao) area, and avoid swearing or vulgar language within the pagoda grounds.

Third, eat, drink, and dispose of trash only in designated areas. Absolutely avoid carrying food or drinks while presenting offerings, as this is considered very disrespectful to the deities.

Lastly, if you visit Long Tien Pagoda during busy festival occasions, take care of your personal belongings to avoid falling victim to theft and pickpocketing.

Above is the information about Long Tien Pagoda brought to you by MIA.vn. We hope you will have an opportunity to sightsee and offer incense here to bring abundant luck and success to yourself and your family.