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Located 30 km east of Hanoi, Nom Pagoda, part of the Nom Village historical complex in Dai Dong commune, Van Lam district, is a renowned temple in Pho Hien that still preserves many ancient features.
Nom Pagoda as seen from the bell tower of the triple-arched gate.Photo: Nguyen Minh Son.
According to ancient legends, Nom Pagoda was built amidst an ancient pine forest, perhaps that's why it's also known as Linh Thong Ancient Pagoda. No one remembers the exact date of the pagoda's founding, but two large steles preserved there indicate that it was rebuilt in 1680 and has been renovated many times since.
From the moment they enter Nom village, visitors are impressed by the ancient landscape with its old houses, moss-covered communal house roofs, wells, and banyan trees. According to village custom, visitors often stop by Tam Giang communal house to light incense and pray for good fortune. Afterward, they cross nine bridges made of over 200-year-old green stone slabs over the Nguyet Duc River to reach the sacred ancient pagoda. Visiting Nom Pagoda, tourists are amazed by the green, peaceful atmosphere and can immerse themselves in the mysterious beauty of the sacred ancient statues.
The famous moss-covered stone bridge in Nom village. Photo:Nguyen Minh Son.
Belonging to the Linji Zen sect, Nom Pagoda houses 122 clay Buddha statues of varying sizes, depicting the Buddha's path to enlightenment. The statues are sculpted with incredibly vivid gestures and facial expressions, including the Three Saints, the Three Worlds, Amitabha Buddha, the Eight Vajra Deities, and the Eighteen Arhats. Some statues are over 3 meters tall, while others are only the size of a fist. According to scientists, with the wrinkles on their robes and other distinctive features, these statues are representative of 18th-century sculptural art.
Despite experiencing historical floods that submerged many areas, even sweeping away temple roofs, strangely enough, when the water receded, the clay Buddha statues, submerged for so long, remained intact and stood tall, defying the harshness of nature.
Ancient clay statues at Nom Pagoda.Photo: Vietkings
To explain the enduring popularity of these Buddha statues, some researchers suggest that it is due to the masterful craftsmanship of the artisans of that time, from constructing the framework and sculpting the clay to the meticulous attention to detail in applying thick layers of paint.
Visitors can appreciate the harmonious beauty and feng shui of Nom Pagoda while strolling around the temple grounds, with the bell tower and drum tower reflected in the lake, and ancient trees providing shade. Walking along the small path beside the pagoda, one can see the garden of stone stupas, gleaming golden in the early morning sun. These beautiful and well-preserved stupas are hundreds of years old.
With its profound spiritual significance and beautiful natural landscapes evoking the distant past, Nom Pagoda is a destination for those who appreciate the beauty of the past. Visiting Nom Pagoda, tourists can also explore and enjoy the ancient culture of Nom Village, one of Vietnam's oldest villages still preserved today.
Additional information:
Directions: Buses to Hung Yen depart from Luong Yen bus station, operating from 5 AM to 10 PM with a frequency of 20 minutes per trip, the fare is 10,000 VND. If you choose to travel by motorbike, you can follow National Highway 5, Road 39 or the Phap Van - Yen Le Expressway to get there.
Some additional places to visit include: the Ung Temple historical site, Cao Thon incense-making village, Phu Ung silver-carving village, or a visit to Hien Street with its ancient longan tree and Chuong Pagoda.
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