Doi Son pagoda, Buddhist temple in Tiên Sơn, Vietnam.
Doi Son Pagoda is a Buddhist temple complex situated on elevated terrain in Tiên Sơn, featuring multiple buildings adorned with intricate wooden carvings and stone sculptures. The buildings are arranged across different levels with pavilions and altars organizing the overall layout.
The complex was founded several centuries ago and features terracotta decorations from the 12. century with detailed sculptural figures. Some of these ancient pieces are now housed in the Vietnam National Museum, highlighting the site's importance to local heritage.
The site functions as an active Buddhist center where visitors can observe monks performing daily rituals and prayers. Devotees gather here for meditation and worship, particularly on significant dates in the lunar calendar.
The site is freely accessible daily from sunrise to sunset with no entry fee or advance booking required. Comfortable footwear is advisable since the grounds are spread across multiple levels and regional transport from Hanoi is the most practical way to reach the location.
The grounds hold the designation of Special National Site due to its architectural quality and collection of artifacts extending back to the 12th century. Particularly noteworthy are the terracotta dancer figures that were moved to the National Museum because of their exceptional detail and craftsmanship.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.