Vo Vi is a temple for those who want to find a peaceful space. The small temple was built on the top of the mountain 6 centuries ago, after many restorations, the temple still retains its ancient features.

An ancient temple has been lying precariously on the top of a mountain for 6 centuries in Hanoi

Located about 20km from the center of Hanoi, Vo Vi pagoda is located on Vo Vi mountain in Long Chau village, Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My district, Hanoi.

The small Vo Vi rock mountain, located separately from the Tu Tram mountain range – also known as Con Rong mountain, Vo Vi pagoda is likened to a pearl, lying precariously between heaven and earth. The temple is usually in a quiet scene, except on Tet and full moon days.

Panoramic view of Vo Vi ancient pagoda from above.

Around the temple is surrounded by dozens of big, tall, rough flower trees, shading the whole temple. In the flowering season, the scent of flowers lingers as if leading people into a place of leisure and pleasure, the space is as quiet as space.

According to legend, Vo Vi is an ancient temple built-in 968. In the Early Le Dynasty, the pagoda was built at the foot of Trao mountain (980-1004) and named Phuc Tru self. During the Tran Dynasty, the pagoda was built in the back of the mountain called Trai Tinh Tu. In the Later Le Dynasty, the 6th year of Hong Thuan (1514) the pagoda was moved to near the top of the mountain as it is today, and changed its name to Vo Vi self in the Dinh dynasty.

Vo Vi Pagoda is associated with General Tran Van Tang, who was ordained since childhood. After fighting against the enemy inside and outside, he went to Mount Vo Vi to build a temple in hiding. As a person imbued with Taoist thought, he named the pagoda Vo Vi with the spirit expressed in the poem “Congruent with Vo Vi Tu” composed by himself and carved in stone.

The gate to the ancient temple has existed for 6 centuries. According to legend, Vo Vi is an ancient temple built-in 968. In the Early Le Dynasty, the pagoda was built at the foot of Trao mountain (980-1004) and named Phuc Tru self. During the Tran Dynasty, the pagoda was built in the back of the mountain called Trai Tinh Tu. In the Later Le Dynasty, the 6th year of Hong Thuan (1514) the pagoda was moved to near the top of the mountain as it is today and changed its name to Vo Vi self in the Dinh dynasty.

Stepping through the archway with the three kanji “Wu Wei”, a small path with stone steps takes visitors to the front hall, the model house, and then the main hall. Only a few hundred steps, but the way up to Wu Wei is not so easy, the higher it goes, the narrower and steeper it becomes.

Unlike the usual grandiose temples, Vo Vi itself is more than 10m2 wide, the design does not follow the usual rules of the shape of the letter Dinh or the foreign interior, but only modestly with a single room, tiled roof. comedy nose with columns, small wooden beams and simple stone.

In the temple, there are only Tam Bao boards with statues of Buddha and saints. On both sides are two majestic Dharma protectors. To the side of the ancestral church is a small, steep path along the mountain.

In the temple, there are only Tam Bao boards with statues of Buddha and saints. On both sides are two majestic Dharma protectors. The pagoda column is made of monolithic stone.

The space behind opens to a small floor designed with a curved roof, bricks and pillars, like a meditation place for monks. Right next to it is Vo Vi mountain with Nghenh Phong floor at the top, where there is also a small bell cast in 1814.

Adjacent to the side of the pagoda is a small path that can only fit one person, leading to the Nghinh Phong floor. Looking down from above, the layers of the roof are cleverly interlaced like a link between Vo Vi Pagoda and this attic for centuries.

Unlike the usual large-scale pagodas, Vo Vi itself is more than 10m2. Surrounding the pagoda are ancient flower trees, in the blooming season, the temple is nestled under the canopy of giant flowers.

A special feature of the Nghinh Phong floor is that on the rooftop is the image of Lac Viet yin and yang inside the bagua circle. This image is drawn on two halves of pink bricks put together so that from this central point, the beams, columns, and trusses then radiate down according to strict architectural rules.

The image of Lac Viet yin and yang is the pride of the Vietnamese cultural identity, a small motif but enough to affirm the nationality and independence of Vietnamese culture, which cannot be mixed with any other culture. another chemical.

Poem carved on stone by Taoist Tran Van Tang. The poem has existed for six centuries.

From the Nghinh Phong floor, in order to reach the highest peak of Vo Vi mountain, visitors have to climb about twenty steep stone steps, go through the narrow rock gap to reach the top.

Surrounding Vo Vi mountain is a peaceful village scene. In the middle of nowhere, the temple bell suddenly rang, making people’s hearts fall and reflect on the philosophy of “no wii” that the Taoist monk named the temple.

Right next to it is Vo Vi mountain with Nghenh Phong floor at the top, where there is also a small bell cast in 1814. The scene of an ancient pagoda with idyllic mountains is located right next to the center of Hanoi but few people know it.

Standing at the highest point of the top of Vo Vi mountain, Buddhists visiting the pagoda will admire the whole romantic and poetic natural scene. Vo Vi Pagoda is for those who want to find a pure space, to be immersed in heaven and earth and melt in the thin sound of bells mixed with smoke. Follow (Dan trí)