Visiting temples and pagodas in Hai Phong: choosing the right places matters more than seeing them all

Address: Le Chan Street, Le Chan Ward, Hai Phong.

For Hai Phong’s history, Nghe Temple is the place to start.

The temple is dedicated to Le Chan, a female general who joined the Trung Sisters’ uprising against Chinese rule in the first century CE. She is also remembered for helping establish the ancient settlement of An Bien, closely tied to the origins of modern Hai Phong.

The temple was rebuilt in 1919, incorporating architectural features characteristic of the Nguyen dynasty. It subsequently underwent several restorations, including major conservation work between 2008 and 2009. It received national historical relic status in 1975.

As you explore the temple, look closely at the wooden and stone carvings. Dragons, qilin, turtles, phoenixes, and traditional floral motifs decorate various architectural elements.

A large stone stele also records the life and contributions of Le Chan, making it particularly interesting for visitors who want to understand the historical figure behind the place.

A collection of 16 groups of gold objects from Nghe Temple, dating from the early twentieth century, was recognized as a National Treasure in 2024. It is preserved at Hai Phong Museum rather than displayed at the temple.

Visitors hoping to see the original artifacts should check the museum’s exhibition arrangements in advance.

Best time to visit: weekday mornings are generally more comfortable for appreciating the architecture. The temple becomes busier around Lunar New Year, the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, and especially during the Le Chan Festival, held from the seventh to the ninth day of the second lunar month.

Address: Du Hang Street, Le Chan Ward, Hai Phong.

Du Hang Pagoda, also known as Hang Pagoda and formally called Phuc Lam Tu, traces its origins to the Early Le dynasty, around the late tenth or early eleventh century.

During the Tran dynasty, it became associated with monks connected to the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist tradition. The pagoda was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in 1986.

Beyond its age, Du Hang is worth seeing for its layout.

The main structures follow a traditional Vietnamese Dinh-shaped layout, resembling the letter 丁. The main Buddha hall contains seven bays, while the entrance features a three-roof-level bell tower.

The great bronze bell bears an inscription referring to Phuc Lam Temple.

To the left of the entrance is a garden of stone stupas containing the remains of former abbots and senior monks. On the right is a sculpture garden. The pagoda also preserves important Buddhist texts, including a collection of the Dirghagama, known in Vietnamese as the Trường A Hàm.

If you enjoy architectural photography, spend time observing the bell tower, the layered roofs, and the carved details. The quieter corners of the courtyard are good for sitting a while after the main shrine.

Du Hang is especially popular with Vietnamese worshippers during Tet and the first weeks of the lunar year.

The pagoda also maintains ceremonies commemorating Emperor-Monk Tran Nhan Tong on the second day of the eleventh lunar month and Zen Master Huyen Quang on the following day.

Best time to visit: around 8-10 a.m. on a weekday suits a relaxed visit. Expect more worshippers during Tet, full-moon days, and major Buddhist celebrations.

Address: 47 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Le Chan Ward, Hai Phong.

Hang Kenh Communal House, traditionally called Nhan Tho Dinh, is a nationally recognized architectural and artistic monument with more than 300 years of history.

The building honors Ngo Quyen, the Vietnamese leader who defeated Southern Han forces at the Battle of Bach Dang River in 938. His victory helped begin a prolonged period of Vietnamese independence.

Hang Kenh is known for its wood carving.

Its timber beams, columns, doors, and decorative panels feature elaborate carvings of dragons, phoenixes, and other traditional motifs.

The communal house has a substantial wooden structure, curved tiled roofs, and a crescent-shaped pond at the entrance. Together, these elements create a noticeably different atmosphere from that of the Buddhist pagodas nearby.

The workmanship is easy to appreciate even if you’re no architecture expert. Try examining the carvings from several angles, as changing light and perspective can reveal layers of detail that are easy to miss.

The site also hosts springtime ceremonies honoring Ngo Quyen and other traditional cultural activities.

Best time to visit: weekday mornings or early afternoons are good choices for examining the architecture. The communal house may be busier during commemorative ceremonies and cultural events.

Address: 50/170 Hai Ba Trung Street, Le Chan Ward, Hai Phong.

An Bien Communal House is located relatively close to Nghe Temple and is also dedicated to Female General Le Chan.

The communal house features traditional architectural elements, including Nguyen-dynasty-style carvings and a spacious courtyard. It received national historical relic recognition in 2009.

Visiting An Bien helps explain why Le Chan occupies such an important place in Hai Phong’s cultural identity.

Nghe Temple, An Bien Communal House, and the Le Chan Monument are the three principal sites where the annual festival honoring the general takes place.

The bronze Le Chan Monument, inaugurated in 2000, stands 7.5 meters tall in a central area of the city.

An Bien makes a worthwhile additional stop after Nghe Temple, particularly for visitors interested in the history of the old An Bien settlement.

Road-widening work around Alley 170 on Hai Ba Trung Street is planned during 2026-2027, so check access conditions before visiting.

Address: Suoi Rong Road, former Ngoc Xuyen area, Do Son Ward, Hai Phong.

Co Chin Temple in Do Son is also known as Co Chin Suoi Rong Temple or Long Son Temple.

Located at the foot of Rong Mountain, it is a well-known place of worship in the Vietnamese Mother Goddess tradition.

The principal deity is Co Chin, with additional shrines dedicated to spiritual figures in the Three Palaces and Four Palaces belief systems.

The temple contains traditional decorative woodwork and sacred statues preserved and maintained through various renovations.

One of its distinctive natural features is a small stream fed by underground water from the mountain. The stream gives the area its name, Suoi Rong, meaning Dragon Stream.

Just in front of the temple is Ngoc Xuyen Communal House. Nearby, you’ll also find Mau Ngu Phuong Temple and the route leading toward Tuong Long Tower, making these places easy to combine into one outing.

Co Chin Temple is also associated with hau dong, Vietnamese spirit mediumship, and hat van, ceremonial singing connected to Mother Goddess worship.

International visitors can watch, but ask permission before taking close-up photographs of participants or ceremonies.

Best time to visit: the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, along with the Lunar New Year period, tend to attract many worshippers.

The fifth day of the first lunar month is a particularly busy occasion. The ninth day of the ninth lunar month is another important traditional observance at the temple.

Arrive early in festival season: the access roads are relatively narrow and can become congested when visitor numbers increase.

Address: former Van Son area, Do Son Ward, Hai Phong.

Hang Pagoda, formally known as Coc Tu, began in a natural cave. A newer three-story pagoda now stands outside, looking out to sea.

The cave extends approximately 25 meters into the hillside, creating a distinctive worship space unlike the more conventional pagodas found elsewhere in the city.

Local tradition tells of a monk named Ban who traveled from Thien Truc, generally identified with present-day India, to Do Son to spread Buddhist teachings.

Some versions of the legend connect the monk to Chu Dong Tu, a well-known figure in Vietnamese folklore.

For this reason, Hang Pagoda is sometimes described as one of the earliest places linked to the introduction of Buddhism to Vietnam.

However, this interpretation is rooted primarily in traditional stories. It should not be presented as a firmly established historical conclusion.

Inside the cave, visitors can find a shrine dedicated to the founding monk, stone religious sculptures, and other features that reflect the pagoda’s history.

Outside, the complex includes Buddhist buildings added or restored in different periods.

Hang Pagoda was recognized as a city-level heritage site in 2010.

Best time to visit: mornings are generally pleasant for exploring the cave and enjoying the coastal atmosphere. The pagoda can become much busier during Lunar New Year, full-moon days, and Buddhist festivals.

Address: at the foot of Doc Mountain, former Ngoc Hai area, Do Son Ward, Hai Phong.

Ba De Temple rests against Doc Mountain, looking out toward the waters of Do Son.

Its location gives the temple an unusual atmosphere: sheltered by the hillside yet open to the sea.

The temple honors Ba De, traditionally identified as Dao Thi Huong, a local woman remembered in folklore connected to a Trinh lord.

According to the legend, she was a beautiful young woman who became the victim of a wrongful accusation and was drowned at sea.

When the Trinh lord learned what had happened, he ordered a ceremony to clear her name and had a temple established at the place where she died.

This is a traditional folk narrative, and its details should not all be treated as independently verified historical events.

In local belief, Ba De is revered as a protective figure people turn to for peace, justice, and the hope of overcoming wrongful suffering.

The main sanctuary honors Ba De and her mother, while the side shrines are for the Three Mother Goddesses.

Local residents began significant restoration work on the temple in 1988, helping it develop into a familiar pilgrimage destination.

The annual Ba De death anniversary festival takes place from the 24th to the 26th day of the second lunar month.

In 2026, the festival was held from April 11 to 13, featuring incense offerings and traditional spiritual ceremonies.

Best time to visit: an early or mid-morning visit on an ordinary weekday is comfortable for sightseeing. During the annual festival, expect larger crowds and allow extra time for parking and accessing the temple.

Address: Long Son Mountain, Do Son Ward, Hai Phong.

Tuong Long Tower stands on Long Son Mountain, close to the broader group of religious sites around Co Chin Suoi Rong Temple.

Travelers interested in Vietnamese history and Buddhist architecture will get the most out of it.

The tower originally dates to the eleventh century, during the reign of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong.

Historical records describe the original structure as a nine-story tower approximately 45 meters tall, once an important landmark overlooking the coastal area.

In 1804, during the reign of Emperor Gia Long, the original tower was dismantled so its bricks could be used in the construction of Hai Duong Citadel.

The nine-story structure visible today is therefore a reconstruction, not an intact eleventh-century tower.

The present complex includes a main worship hall, entrance gate, large bell, and an exhibition area introducing archaeological discoveries made at the original site.

From the elevated grounds, visitors can enjoy views across parts of the Do Son peninsula.

Tuong Long is especially rewarding for those willing to spend time learning about the original foundations, excavated materials, and architectural history.