The Bai Dinh Pagoda is a symbolic attraction in Ninh Binh, which has a long history and proudly showcases the religious devotion and culture of Vietnam. Seni World’s travel guide will show you its history, attractions, and travel tips.
Introduction To The Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda, located in Ninh Binh province, is one of the wonderful attractions in the Northern Vietnam itinerary. This is a religious and primary pilgrimage site that attracts tens of millions of both local people and travelers every year.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is hidden among lush mountains and scenic landscapes, and is very well-known for its superb scale, peaceful atmosphere, and terrific mixture of historic and modern architecture. Not only does it have a spiritual meaning, but the Bai Dinh Pagoda is also a symbol of the Vietnamese cultural and historical past, as well as the national pride.
History Of The Bai Dinh Pagoda
Talking about the Bai Dinh Pagoda history, it has a rich record that combines old spiritual roots with great, modern grandeur. The original, old Bai Dinh Pagoda dates back over one thousand years to the Dinh and early Le Dynasties of Vietnam, famous for its connection to Buddhist legends and Vietnamese heroes.
In the early 2000s, a huge new complex was built close by, making it the most important and largest Buddhist pagoda in Southeast Asia. The present Bai Dinh Pagoda was completed in 2003 and features majestic architecture, massive bronze Buddha statues, and wonderful long corridors lined with stone Arhat statues. It symbolizes both religious devotion and Vietnamese pride.
Top 5 Iconic Attractions In The Bai Dinh Pagoda
The Bai Dinh Pagoda is not only a spiritual attraction, but it also has a wonderful long history, as well as showing the proud tradition of Vietnamese religion. Here are 5 iconic attractions of the well-known Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh:
See The Giant Bronze Buddha Statue
With its 10 meters in height and weighing approximately 100 tons, this surprisingly fascinating bronze statue of the Phat A Di Da (Amitabha Buddha) is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Housed inside the Phap Chu Hall of the Bai Dinh Pagoda, this statue exudes both spiritual and serenity strength, attracting heaps of visitors who arrive to pay their respects. The craftsmanship is superb, with beautiful carvings and a very peaceful expression, iconic of wisdom and enlightenment.
Investigate The Arhat Corridor
Arhat Corridor or Hanh Lang La Han is stretched over 3 kilometers and is lined with 500 complex and carefully sculpted Arhat statues crafted from monolithic stone. Each statue has a unique expression and posture, which is a unique and valuable story from Buddhist teachings. On foot through the Arhat Corridor is a meditative enjoyment, and travelers can reflect on the great lives and virtues of these enlightened beings.
Visit The Great Bell Tower
The Great Bell Tower or Thap Chuong has a big 36-ton bronze bell, one of the largest in Vietnam. Visiting this place, you can have a chance to hear the sound of the bell resonating throughout the mountains around the Bai Dinh Pagoda. From that, it grows a deep and calming echo that complements the spiritual atmosphere here. Hiking up the tower also brings travelers the whole perspectives of the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex as well as the surrounding huge limestone landscapes of Ninh Binh.
Explore The Stupa
One of the next things to do in Ninh Binh is to visit the Stupa or Bao Thap in the Bai Dinh Pagoda. This 13-story tower is about 100 meters high and a brilliant landmark seen from afar. The Stupa enshrines relics of the Buddha appreciatively brought from India and Myanmar, so it is a sacred pilgrimage destination. You can take an elevator or try to climb the stairs to the pinnacle to witness the panoramic sides of the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, as well as the Trang An scenic area.
Discover The Ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda
Positioned on a quiet mountainside close to the present-day complex, the original Bai Dinh Pagoda dates back over 1,000 years. The Ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda has historic temples, cave shrines, and stone statues hidden in a mysterious forested region. This historical site still keeps a magical impression and provides all visitors with a greater, intimate, and traditional Buddhist vibe in comparison to the grandeur of the new pagoda.
5 Cultural Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss In The Bai Dinh Pagoda
Not only can you navigate the Bai Dinh Pagoda, but you can also find out and revel in cultural experiences in this famous destination. Here are 5 cultural experiences you should not miss when discovering the captivating area around the Bai Dinh Pagoda:
Participate In The Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival
Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival is held yearly from the 6th day of the Tet Holiday (Lunar New Year). This spring festival is one of the greatest vital Buddhist events in Vietnam. Coming to this festival, travelers can see traditional rituals, offerings to ancient deities, ceremonial processions, and folk performances. This is a colourful event that mixes spirituality with local tradition, impressing hundreds of local people and travelers.
Light Incense And Pray At The Giant Buddha Statues
Traveling to the Bai Dinh Pagoda, you can pay your respects by bowing and lighting incense sticks before the enormous bronze Buddhas. It is a deeply religious and cultural practice. Whether or not you are a Buddhist or not, by taking part in this ritual, you will hook up with the spiritual surroundings, reflect in silence, and recognize strongly the religious devotion of the Vietnamese people.
Listen To The Echo Of The Giant Bell
At the Great Bell Tower, you can ask permission to ring the large bronze bell or, honestly, pay attention when monks or temple staff do. The echoing sound of this bell is said to purify the soul and thrust back bad fortune. This simple yet profound moment is a stunning cultural and sacred experience that reflects and showcases the importance of sound in Buddhist practice.
Take Photos With Bodhi Tree Courtyard
The Bai Dinh Pagoda has a sacred Bodhi tree, originating from Sri Lanka, that stands in this courtyard. This tree symbolizes enlightenment, and travelers very cherish its leaves. The Bodhi Tree is the spiritual connection between the Bai Dinh Pagoda and the place where Buddha achieved enlightenment, beneath a Bodhi Tree in India. Travelers can take admirably memorable photos under this tree.
Try Traditional Vegetarian Cuisine At The Pagoda Complex
Don’t forget to experience a vegetarian meal made by temple chefs or local eateries near the Bai Dinh Pagoda. These foods are no longer scrumptious, but they are also a part of the Buddhist lifestyle, consisting of simple, mindful, and nourishing foods. You can have a chance to enjoy the peaceful setting of the Bai Dinh Pagoda enhances your cultural immersion.
Entrance Fee Of The Bai Dinh Pagoda
Here is a table that Seni World has summarized the Bai Dinh Pagoda entrance fee. These fees can slightly vary according to the real-time travel season:
| Ticket or Service | Price | Notes |
| Main entrance to the Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex | Free | The entrance fee is free for both the ancient and new pagoda areas. |
| Electric shuttle (just one-way) | 30,000 VND | |
| Electric shuttle (round-trip) | 60,000 VND | |
| The Stupa entrance fee | 50,000 to 60,000 VND | This is the fee to access both the tower and the observation deck of the Stupa. |
| Parking fee for a motorbike | 15,000 to 20,000 VND | This is the fee for secure bike parking. |
| Parking fee for a car | 40,000 to 50,000 VND | This is the fee for car parking near the entrance. |
| Audio guide (optional) | About 100,000 VND | Multi-language audio guide in 2025. |
Opening Hours Of The Bai Dinh Pagoda
Seni World has also collected all the Bai Dinh Pagoda opening hours for you. Thanks to them, you can arrange a comfortable and suitable journey to this iconic attraction in Ninh Binh:
- The main complex (general grounds): from 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- The Bai Dinh Pagoda complex (both old and new pagoda areas): from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM
- The pagoda complex: from 07:00 AM to 09:00 PM
Spring (from January to April) and early Summer (from May to June) are the best times to visit Ninh Binh and the Bai Dinh Pagoda. This is the reason why the open hours of this place can be different. So you need to confirm with the Bai Dinh Pagoda’s manager in advance.
How To Get To The Bai Dinh Pagoda
In this Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh itinerary, you should select the right way to get to this destination to be comfortable, as well as have a low price. Here are hints from Seni World about how to get to the Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh:
| Mode Of Transport | Typical Travel Time (From Hanoi Or Nearby Areas) | Estimated Cost (VND) | Notes |
| Private Car | 1.5 to 2.5 hours | About 1,200,000 to 1,800,000 VND | This is very comfortable and best for communities or families. You can go directly to the pagoda gate. |
| Public Bus (to Ninh Binh City) | 2 to 3 hours | About 100,000 to 150,000 VND | Buses from Giap Bat or My Dinh bus station will stop at the Ninh Binh bus station. |
| Taxi (from Ninh Binh City to Bai Dinh) | About 30 minutes | About 150,000 to 250,000 VND | You can use the taxi after the public bus or train to reach the Bai Dinh Pagoda. |
| Train (to Ninh Binh Station) | 2 to 2.5 hours | About 100,000 to 200,000 VND | It departs from Hanoi Station for a scenic route. Then you need a taxi transfer to the Bai Dinh Pagoda. |
| Motorbike (from Hanoi or Ninh Binh City) | 2.5 to 3 hours from Hanoi and 30 to 40 minutes from Ninh Binh City | About 120,000 to 200,000 VND per day (rental) | This type of transportation is an adventure-friendly choice, scenic but weather-dependent. |
| Bike (from Tam Coc or Trang An areas) | 45 to 60 minutes | About 50,000 VND per day (rental) | A great option for local people or nearby travelers with hilly roads and moderate difficulty. |
Things To Know Before Traveling To The
To have a happy, interesting, comfortable, and safe journey in the Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh, you should remember the following essential travel tips. These tips will help you explore this place conveniently, but still respect the culture and protect yourself best:
- Bai Dinh Pagoda dress code: Because this is a religious site, you need to wear respectful apparel, which covers your shoulders and knees, and say no to tight or flashy outfits.
- Carry cash: There is no ATM nearby, so let’s bring cash (VND or Vietnam Dong) to pay for tickets, food, and services.
- The offline Bai Dinh Pagoda map: You need to download an offline map of the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex to know how to walk easily, as this area is large and complicated.
- Photograph rules: Taking photos is allowed, but remember, no flash in the pagoda.
- Be quiet and respectful: Particularly in prayer halls, you must be quiet and respectful. Don’t interrupt all monks or rituals.
Final Thoughts: Is The Bai Dinh Pagoda Worth Visiting?
The Bai Dinh Pagoda is an iconic destination in Ninh Binh, which has a long history, and proudly showcases the religion and traditions of Vietnam. If you want to take a Bai Dinh Pagoda trip, as well as consult interesting things to do in Ninh Binh, and receive support for the visa process, let’s contact Seni World, a reputable tour operator from Vietnam. We are here to help you from A to Z on your Bai Dinh Pagoda discovery adventure.
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