Pagoda with largest bronze Buddha statue in Hai Phong

15-ton bronze statue

Passing through the three-door gate of Long Hoa Pagoda, visitors cannot help but be impressed by the grandeur of the Dai Hung Bao Dien (Great Hero Hall). The structure is built mainly from ironwood, with intricate carvings in the traditional Vietnamese architectural style.

But the most distinctive feature, the centerpiece that makes anyone entering the worship hall marvel in admiration, is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.

The statue was cast from 15 tons of solid bronze and holds the record as the largest bronze Buddha statue in Hai Phong. The statue depicts the Buddha meditating in a seated position on a lotus throne, with graceful features and a compassionate, liberated expression.

In addition to the bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Long Hoa Pagoda complex boasts a rich collection of Buddhist statues. Atop the mountain, a 5.2-m-high statue of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong stands majestically amid the vast surroundings, gazing toward the Cam River. The combination of the monumental Buddha statue on the mountain, the worship hall at its foot and numerous auxiliary structures creates a complete landscape of mountains and river, imbued with natural and romantic beauty.

Long Hoa Pagoda also leaves a strong impression on visitors with its civilized “three no’s” model: no admission fees, no vendors soliciting customers and no litter. As a result, despite welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each year, the site retains the tranquil, green, clean and beautiful character of a Buddhist sanctuary.

Thousand-year spiritual heritage at the foot of Voi Mountain

About 20 km southwest of central Hai Phong, visitors will encounter Voi, an imposing mountain shaped like a giant elephant lying down. Amid vast stretches of forest greenery and spectacular limestone cliffs, Long Hoa Pagoda stands as a solemn presence.

According to Buddhist historical records, the ancient Long Hoa Pagoda was built during the Ly Dynasty in the 11th century. At the time, together with Thap Pagoda (Tuong Long Pagoda) in Do Son, it became one of the most bustling Buddhist centers in Dai Viet.

In 2017, a project to restore and embellish Long Hoa Pagoda officially began on an area of more than 7.5 ha, with a budget of hundreds of billions VND. Today, the site has become a large-scale spiritual architectural complex, beautifully blending traditional features with a modern touch.

In the late afternoon on Voi Mountain, the bells of Long Hoa Pagoda ring slowly and echo through historic caves such as Gia Vi and Hong Voi. In the thin mist, the ancient pagoda and its record-setting bronze Buddha statue are not only a spiritual anchor for Buddhists but also a bright gem on Hai Phong’s cultural and spiritual tourism map.

THU HUONG