Ly Quoc Su Pagoda

Each of the spring, Hanoians often come to Ly Quoc Su Pagoda to wish for happiness and prosperity. Visitors to the pagoda not only for worshipping but also for understanding the cultural and historical value of the pagoda…

Ly Quoc Su Pagoda is at 50 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The Pagoda worships a Buddhist Monk of the Ly Dynasty (the 10th – 12th centuries). This Monk, whose full name was Nguyen Chi Thanh, was born on 1066 in Dien Xa Village, Gia Vien District in Ninh Binh Province in the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong.

Historical Significance and Origins

The pagoda honors an extraordinary Buddhist monk from the Ly Dynasty (10th-12th centuries). Nguyen Chi Thanh, later known as Ly Quoc Su, was born in 1066 in Ninh Binh Province. His remarkable journey from a young monk to becoming the nation’s most respected religious figure is a story that continues to inspire visitors.

In 1077, at the age of 11, Nguyen Chi Thanh began practicing for the Buddhist monkhood and was taught by Tu Dao Hanh, a well-known monk. As the legend says, Monk Tu Dao Hanh was erudite in Buddhism and excellent in healing. He admired and respected Nguyen Chi Thanh’s talent and virtue.

In 1138, in his seventies, Monk Nguyen Chi Thanh cured King Ly Than Tong of a disease that many famous doctors had failed to do. For his respectful virtue and talent, he was given the title Ly Quoc Su by the King, which meant Great Monk and Merit Teacher of the nation.

The King provided Ly Quoc Su with a serene residential quarter, which was situated next to Bao Thien Pagoda in the centre of Thang Long Capital, on a side of Luc Thuy Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake of today). This pagoda had a 12-storey tower.

Apart from preaching Buddhist sutra for the monks and nuns, Ly Quoc Su taught medicine, prescription of medicines and demotic scripts to many people in the temple and surrounding areas. Skilled in bronze casting, Ly Quoc Su also trained many bronze casting craftsmen.

That is why when he died at the age of 75 at Giao Thuy Pagoda in Nam Dinh in 1141, King Ly Anh Tong (holding power from 1138 to 1175) had a temple erected right on the ground of the residential quarter where Ly Quoc Su had lived.

Architectural and Cultural Treasures

The pagoda remains an active religious site and a symbol of Vietnam’s bronze casting heritage. Its location on Ly Quoc Su Street, a 244-meter stretch connecting Hang Bong and Nha Tho streets, makes it easily accessible for tourists exploring Hanoi’s historic district.

Modern visitors can explore:

• Ancient Buddha statues
• The historic Tu Chung bell (cast in the 19th century)
• Stone stele with inscriptions from 1855
• Statues of Monk Tu Dao Hanh and his mother
• Traditional Vietnamese Buddhist architecture

Guideline for Visiting Ly Quoc Su Pagoda

Visitor Information

• Opening Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon
• Dress Code: Modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees)
• Entry Fee: Free
• Nearby Attractions: Hoan Kiem Lake (10-minute walk), St. Joseph’s Cathedral and Hanoi Old Quarter

How to Get There

• From Hoan Kiem Lake: 10-minute walk westward
• By taxi: Available from any point in Hanoi
• By motorbike: Parking available nearby
• By public transport: Multiple bus routes stop nearby

Travel Tips

• Visit during early morning for a peaceful experience
• Combine with a walking tour of the Old Quarter
• Respect local customs and prayer times
• Photography is allowed in most areas
• Remove shoes before entering the main shrine

Throughout Vietnam, there are many pagodas worshipping both Buddha and Ly Quoc Su, such as Giao Thuy Pagoda in Nam Dinh and Keo Pagoda in Thai Binh.