Nestled in the tranquil village of Duc La, Bac Giang Province, the 700-year-old Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, also known as Duc La Pagoda, stands as a testament to Vietnam's rich cultural and religious heritage.
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda enjoys a prime location at the confluence of the Luc Nam and Thuong Rivers, known as the Phuong Nhan junction. The pagoda overlooks this confluence and the Luc Dau River – Kiep Bac, in the Cam Ly area, serving as the gateway to Yen Tu Mountain. Behind the pagoda lies Co Tien Mountain.
Covering an area of approximately 1 hectare, the pagoda boasts harmonious, symmetrical architecture, including five main complexes: Tam Quan, Tam Bao, Nha To De Nhat, Gac Chuong, and Nha To De Nhi. The pagoda is surrounded by lush gardens and green bamboo groves, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda was initially constructed during the Ly Dynasty (11th century). In the late 13th century, Emperor Tran Nhan Tong expanded the site, establishing it as a major Buddhist centre during the Tran Dynasty and renaming it Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, associated with the establishment and development of the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen School.
Since then, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda has been built with grand, standardised architecture, exemplifying traditional Vietnamese Buddhist temple design. This ancient pagoda, rich in Vietnamese Buddhist heritage, is recognised as a significant historical site.
Today, after around 700 years, the pagoda still preserves numerous invaluable relics, including a collection of statues of Buddha, statues of Truc Lam Zen masters, statues of subsequent patriarchs, Dharma protectors, and Arhats.
Notably, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda houses a collection of 3,050 woodblocks, most of which are Buddhist scriptures, precepts, and writings by the Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen masters. In 2012, the woodblocks of Vinh Nghiem Pagoda were recognised by UNESCO as a documentary heritage under the Memory of the World programme for the Asia-Pacific region.
On September 9, 2013, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognised the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda Festival as a national intangible cultural heritage. On December 23, 2015, the Prime Minister signed a decision recognizing Vinh Nghiem Pagoda as a special national historical and architectural site.
The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda Festival, held on the 14th day of the second lunar month, attracts numerous local residents and tourists from around the world.
