On February 19th (the 3rd day of the Binh Ngo Tet), according to Lao Dong reporters' records, a large number of pilgrims from all directions came to Dau Pagoda (Tri Qua ward, Bac Ninh province) to worship.
Many historical documents identify Dau Pagoda as the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. This is one of the typical spiritual tourist destinations of Bac Ninh province, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists to pilgrimage and learn about historical values.
Dau Pagoda has a history of more than 2,000 years, associated with the first footsteps of Buddhism in Vietnam. Dau Pagoda also has many other names such as Ca Pagoda, Co Chau Pagoda, Dien Ung Pagoda, or Phap Van Pagoda. The pagoda was built from around 187 to 226.
The most prominent of the pagoda's works is the Hoa Phong tower. According to ancient documents, during the Tran Dynasty, Trang Nguyen Mac Dinh Chi restored Dau Pagoda, building a 9-story tower. But the architecture of the tower is still from the Le Trung Hung period. The tower is built of old fired bricks, with 3 floors, 15m high. Inside the tower, there is a bronze bell cast in 1793 and a cannon cast in 1817. At the four corners of the tower, there are 4 statues of Thien Vuong, 1.6m high, these are the four gods in legends governing the four heavens.
Notably, the National Treasure - Dau Pagoda Woodblocks, consisting of a total of 107 carved boards, is still preserved in the pagoda, which is the only original, unique, complete and authentic artifact with many types of text such as legends about the Four Teachings of Buddha, stories about the Four Teachings of Buddha, Buddhist scriptures, rain praying rituals, praying for cessation, and worshiping the pagoda ancestors...
Ms. Nguyen Thi Viet Ha - a tourist - shared: "I came from Hanoi to Bac Ninh for spring travel at the beginning of the year and chose Dau Pagoda to worship because this is an ancient pagoda, associated with the long-standing Buddhist history of the nation. The pagoda space is very sacred and ancient, helping me feel peaceful and lighter in the first days of spring.
Meanwhile, But Thap Pagoda, also located in Tri Qua ward (Bac Ninh), recorded a large number of visitors coming to enjoy spring and sightseeing at the beginning of the new year.
But Thap Pagoda, whose initial name is Ninh Phuc Tu, is located on the south bank of the Duong River. This is one of the few ancient pagodas with unique architectural and sculptural art that has been preserved quite intact to this day.
But Thap Pagoda was built during the Tran Dynasty and was large-scale restored and embellished during the Le Trung Hung Dynasty.
In 2012, But Thap Pagoda was recognized by the State as a special national relic. Currently, the pagoda still preserves its overall architecture as a model of the harmonious combination of bricks, wood, stone materials and the integration of architecture with the natural environment; the pagoda has a massive system of Buddha statues, 4 groups of national treasures (Thousand-eyed and Thousand-handed Buddha statue, set of Tam The statues, Huong An and Nine Lotus Palace) and beautiful and unique carvings reaching high artistic value...
Every year, the pagoda opens a festival on the 23rd and 24th of the 3rd lunar month with a solemn traditional ritual part, a lively festival part with many unique folk cultural and artistic activities.
