General introduction to Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

Geographical location

Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda is located on a hill in Ninh Trung hamlet (thôn Ninh Trung), Liem Son commune (xã Liêm Sơn), Thanh Liem district (huyện Thanh Liêm), Ha Nam Province (tỉnh Hà Nam). This spiritual tourism destination is approximately 70km from Hanoi capital (Thủ đô Hà Nội) and takes about 1.5-2 hours to travel.

Scale and space

Rather than being a grand and imposing structure, Dia Tang Phi Lai Temple impresses with its harmony and refinement in arrangement and connection with nature. The Buddhist sanctuary backs against the mountain, surrounded by cool green pine forests, creating an isolated, quiet, and fresh space.

Historical formation

This sacred place was originally the foundation of the ancient Dung Pagoda (chùa Đùng), built during the Ly-Tran period (around the 11th century). Legend has it that Tran dynasty kings and King Tu Duc of the Nguyen dynasty once visited this Buddhist temple.

After thousands of years of ups and downs, in December 2015, Venerable Thich Minh Quang came to serve as abbot, working hard to restore and rename the pagoda to Dia Tang Phi Lai Temple. The name carries deep meaning, "Phi Lai" implies that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is present and universally saves all beings everywhere without needing invitation.

Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda is located in Thanh Liem district, Ha Nam Province - Source: Internet

Outstanding architecture of Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda attracts visitors with its rustic beauty and harmony with nature, deeply imbued with the Buddhist spirit of the Ly-Tran period.

• Traditional Northern Vietnamese architecture that is both solemn and intimate with curved tile roofs, exquisitely carved lotus flowers, dragons, and divine birds. The wooden frame is left natural without gold lacquer.
  
• Unique highlight: The large courtyard is covered with white pebbles. In the ancestral hall courtyard, there are also 12 large circles drawn on the pebbles symbolizing the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination in Buddhist teachings.
  
• Wind chimes hung in the main hall areas, creating clear sounds and relaxing feelings.
  

Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda attracts visitors with its unique architecture harmonizing with nature - Source: Internet

Tourist attractions

What creates the appeal of this Buddhist temple is the tranquil space, separated from the hustle and bustle of the city. The location near Hanoi is also a big advantage, convenient for travel and visits.

Especially, the pagoda is not commercialized - there is no trading of offerings inside the temple, no street vendors, no fortune-telling services, creating a truly "pure" atmosphere. In addition, the pagoda has many beautiful photo spots that are gentle and refined.

Exquisite patterns carved on pagoda pillars - Source: Internet

6+ notable attractions at Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda is not as large as Tam Chuc or Bai Dinh, but it leaves an impression with every small, quiet, and peaceful corner.

Tam Bao Hall:

Tam Bao Hall is the main hall area, worshipping Buddha Shakyamuni and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The space is arranged solemnly with ancient horizontal boards and couplets. This is where Buddhists and visitors often stop first to offer incense and pray for peace.

Tam Bao Hall - Source: Internet

Ancestral Hall:

This area worships the founding masters and abbots of the pagoda through various periods. The small structure is built in traditional wooden house style among green trees, creating an ancient yet intimate feeling.

Wind chime corridor:

Along the corridors connecting the worship halls, many ceramic wind chimes are hung. The sound of chimes ringing in the mountain wind creates a characteristic, relaxing, and peaceful sound for the Buddhist sanctuary.

Wind chime corridor - Source: Internet

Pho Dong Tower:

Pho Dong Tower was built during the Ly-Tran period, located in the courtyard behind the pagoda, serving as the resting place for the relics of 40 generations of abbots.

Pure grounds and poetic scenery:

Surrounded by cool green forests, along with small beautiful lotus ponds, the pagoda carries peaceful and dreamy beauty. The grounds also intersperse fruit gardens, mushroom houses, medicinal herbs, forest vegetables, flower gardens, etc., along with Buddha statues scattered throughout every corner.

The pagoda grounds are pure and full of poetic charm - Source: Internet

White pebble courtyard and 12 Circles of Dependent Origination:

This serves both as an architectural landscape highlight and carries deep meditative meaning, while also being a unique photo spot beloved by many visitors.

Pure white pebble courtyard with 12 circles of dependent origination - Source: Internet

6+ unmissable experiences at Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda brings Buddhists and visitors many profound experiences full of meditative flavor.

Pilgrimage and Buddha worship:

Offering incense, worshipping, praying for peace and health is the main activity when you visit the Buddhist temple, not only expressing devotion but also a way to connect with spirituality and release worries from daily life.

Temple sightseeing:

At different times, the pagoda carries a unique beauty that captivates countless visitors. Strolling to admire the temple scenery will be an interesting, peaceful, and carefree experience.

Each unique architectural piece interspersed among fresh green gardens brings distinctive beauty to the pagoda - Source: Internet

Photography:

With harmonious beauty between natural landscape and distinctive architecture, the scenery at the Buddhist sanctuary is loved by young people for many artistic photo angles such as: white pebble courtyard, 12 circles of dependent origination, wind chime corridor, meditation garden, curved tile roofs, Vajra statues, pine forest, lotus pond, etc., bringing beautiful, elegant, and refined photos.

Mountain climbing behind the pagoda:

Behind the pagoda grounds are cool pine hills, meditation gardens, and small hermitages. You can walk along this path, following streams, crawling through cave passages, etc. The climbing path is not too steep, very suitable for walking meditation or simply experiencing the fresh atmosphere.

Meditation and tea appreciation

Within the pagoda grounds, there are many tea appreciation spaces with peaceful stone table sets in pure thatched pavilions. Additionally, during festivals and Tet holidays, the temple has meditation tea programs, mindful tea appreciation, helping participants feel peace, comfort, and connect deeply with spirituality.

Participating in retreat courses:

Every year, Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda organizes summer retreat courses that many Buddhists register for, bringing beautiful memories and meaningful experiences.

You can register to stay at the pagoda for merit work or participate in summer retreat courses - Source: Internet

Travel tips for visiting Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

To make your trip smooth and meaningful, please refer to the following experiences.

Transportation guide to the pagoda

Transportation guide from Hanoi:

• Private car or motorbike: Take old Highway 1A or Phap Van-Cau Gie expressway to Liem Tuyen/Phu Ly junction, turn onto Highway 21B or provincial roads to reach Liem Son commune, then ask for directions to Ninh Trung hamlet to reach the pagoda.
  
• Coach: Go to Giap Bat or My Dinh bus station, take buses to Thanh Liem, Ha Nam. Then continue by taxi or motorbike taxi to the pagoda.
  
• Package tour: You can refer to pilgrimage tours combining Tam Chuc - Dia Tang Phi Lai - Bai Dinh or Dia Tang Phi Lai - Cay Thi Pagoda - Phat Quang Pagoda, etc., with door-to-door transportation. Note to choose reputable travel agencies.
  

Transportation guide from distant provinces:

The most optimal option is to book a flight ticket to Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi. Then, take shared transportation or book a taxi to continue the journey to Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda.

Currently Vietnam Airlines operates many direct flights from cities to Hanoi. To search for convenient flights, please visit Flight Tickets to Hanoi from only 878,000 VND.

Ideal time to visit Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

You can visit Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda at any time of the year according to your wishes:

Weekdays (Monday-Friday) and after the first 3 months of the year: At this time the pagoda is quieter and less crowded, you can feel the pure atmosphere and comfortably worship and sightsee.

On weekends or during events and festivals, the pagoda attracts many Buddhists and visitors, so the space will be more bustling, including occasions such as:

• Lunar New Year, Country Market displaying goods and cuisine (1st-3rd lunar month)
• Summer retreat courses (6th-7th lunar month)
• Vu Lan Festival, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Festival (7th lunar month)
• Mid-Autumn Festival (15th of 8th lunar month)
• Making Chung cake before Tet (12th lunar month)

For a more comfortable experience, you should visit the pagoda on weekdays and after the first 3 months of the year - Source: Internet

Opening hours and visiting costs

Opening hours:

• The pagoda is open from 06:00 - 18:00 daily.
• Note: The mountain area behind the pagoda closes earlier, around 16:30.

Entrance fees:

• The pagoda does not charge admission fees.
• Visitors can make donations according to their heart.

Parking:

• There is a spontaneous parking area next to the pagoda gate, free of charge
• Parking at local houses: About 10,000 VND/time
• Note: During festivals, due to crowds, you may need to park 1km from the pagoda and walk to the gate

Other costs:

• The pagoda serves free vegetarian noodles or pho at lunch.
• You can also eat at stalls near the pagoda gate for 30,000 VND/portion
• During the first 3 spring months, there is a country market inside the pagoda where you can go to local food stalls set up here to enjoy folk food at affordable prices.

The pagoda does not charge admission fees, you can freely explore every corner - Source: Internet

Preparation and worship at the pagoda

The pagoda has no sales activities, fortune writing, or money changing. Therefore, if you intend to make offerings, you should prepare in advance. Offerings usually include fruits, cakes, etc., according to your heart, and you can add hand-copied sutras if desired.

You can refer to the worship order as follows:

• Main Hall (Tam Bao Hall)
  

• Worship Buddha Shakyamuni, Venerable Ananda and Venerable Kashyapa
• Bow to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Four Heavenly Kings
• Perform Buddha bathing ritual

• Ancestral Hall worshipping previous abbot masters (left of main hall)
  
• Hundred Families Hall worshipping ancestors of Vietnamese family lines, can receive blessings to take home (right of main hall)
  
• Duc Ong Hall and Duc Thanh Hien Hall (follow stone steps turning to both sides of main hall)
  
• Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Hall and Manjushri Bodhisattva Hall (located behind main hall)
  
• Hall of Venerable Monks and Great Compassion Tower (behind Hundred Families Hall)
  
• If you have time, you can go up to worship Trung Pagoda, located behind the main pagoda area
  
• On the mountain behind the pagoda there is also a pilgrimage path with Buddha statues and small house areas, tower foundations, and ancient structures
  

The pagoda has no buying and selling activities, so you need to prepare in advance if you intend to make offerings and worship - Source: Internet

Notes when visiting

• Dress neatly and politely. If you don't have appropriate clothing, you can borrow blue robes prepared by the temple, or rent clothing at nearby shops.
  
• Should wear flat shoes that are comfortable and easy to walk in.
  
• Move gently, speak softly, maintain the peaceful Buddhist atmosphere.
  
• Follow temple regulations, do not enter monastic quarters, do not ring bells or temple instruments without permission, etc.
  
• Overnight accommodation area is for those registered for retreat courses, not serving individual guests.
  
• You can request Ksitigarbha sutras at the merit recording table, or stay at the pagoda for merit work for many days, just meet the nuns to register.
  
• For short trips of 1-2 days, you can combine itinerary visiting Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda with Tam Chuc Pagoda (about 30-40km away) or other spiritual destinations in Ha Nam and Ninh Binh.
  

When visiting, you need to walk gently and speak softly to maintain the peaceful Buddhist atmosphere - Source: Internet

Accommodation suggestions near Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

Since the pagoda is located in a quite quiet area, convenient accommodation options are mostly concentrated in Phu Ly City or Ninh Binh Province (suitable for tourists combining multiple places), about 15-20km from the pagoda.

Luxury hotels:

• Melia Vinpearl Phu Ly:
  

• Address: 60 Bien Hoa, Minh Khai, Phu Ly, Ha Nam
• Reference price: From 1,100,000 VND/night

• Muong Thanh Luxury Ha Nam:
  

• Address: Le Hoan Street, Phu Ly, Ha Nam
• Reference price: 800,000 - 1,200,000 VND/night

• Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh:
  

• Address: Van Long Nature Reserve, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
• Reference price: From 1,500,000 VND/night

Mid-range and budget hotels:

• Inco 515.9 Hotel:
  

• Address: Le Hoan Street, Phu Ly, Ha Nam
• Reference price: From 600,000 VND/night

• Hoa Dong Hotel:
  

• Address: 73 Ngo Gia Tu, Phu Ly, Ha Nam
• Reference price: From 200,000 - 600,000 VND/night

• Golden Dragon Hotel:
  

• Address: Highway 1A, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
• Reference price: Updating

• Ninh Binh Nature Homestay:
  

• Address: Van Long Dam area, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
• Reference price: From 600,000 VND/night

Note: Should book rooms early if going on weekends or holidays.

Food suggestions near Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda

Around the pagoda area are mainly simple eateries serving local people in Liem Son commune or Kien Khe town.

If you want more choices, you can move to Phu Ly City center to enjoy famous Ha Nam specialties such as:

• Field fish noodle soup (Bún cá rô đồng) - sweet and clear, rich countryside flavor
• Phu Ly rolled cake - thin and soft served with fragrant grilled pork paste
• Vu Dai village braised fish - rich flavor, suitable as gifts
• "To dan" bird - rustic, unique dish characteristic of the region

To discover more distinctive dishes, please see more in the article What specialties does Ha Nam have? 10++ suggestions you cannot miss

Dia Tang Phi Lai Pagoda is a spiritual destination combined with valuable experiences. This place not only has beautiful scenery and unique architecture but also brings feelings of peace and relaxation to the soul. Whether you come to worship Buddha and pray for peace or simply seek a quiet space, this Buddhist sanctuary will leave a deep impression.