Vietnam PagodasDictionary of Vietnamese pagodas & temples

Chân Tiên Pagoda

Hà Nội(Chùa Chân Tiên (Hà Nội))

Overview & history

Chân Tiên Pagoda (Phúc Lâm tự) is located at 151 Bà Triệu Street, Lê Đại Hành Ward, Hai Bà Trưng District, Hanoi City.

History

Chân Tiên Pagoda was originally built very early (there still exists a historical hypothesis regarding the site's connection to the Đông Quan Oath Assembly in 1427). It was first situated on the land of the two villages Tiên Thị (Tiên Market) and Chân Sơn Minh Cầm (also known as Chân Cầm), Tiền Túc commune, Thọ Xương district, Phụng Thiên prefecture of Thăng Long (now approximately the location of St. Joseph's Cathedral–Chân Cầm Street), and was later moved to Phụ Khánh village, Tiền Nghiêm commune (around present-day Thợ Nhuộm–Lý Thường Kiệt streets).

During the Trịnh Lords period, the pagoda was a place of worship for Tống Thiên Thần vương, who assisted Trịnh Liễu in selecting an auspicious site. When the French took the land of Phụ Khánh village to build the Hỏa Lò prison, Chân Tiên Pagoda was relocated to Bà Triệu Street (on the land of Thể Giao village, also known as Thái Giao, Tiền Nghiêm commune). According to Hà Nội Mới newspaper: previously, the pagoda was named Báo Thiên Pagoda in Tiên Thị village and adjacent to Chân Cầm village. By the 18th century, the pagoda was moved to An Phụ village and renamed Chân Tiên to preserve the original place name of the pagoda.

In 1990, Chân Tiên Pagoda, together with Phụ Khánh đình (a cluster of monuments at 151 Bà Triệu Street), was classified as a historical and artistic monument by the Ministry of Culture and Information, according to Decision No. 168 VH/QĐ, dated 2 March 1990.

Abbot

The late Elder Nun Superior Thích Đàm Luận (1924–2017)

Photos

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Visiting tips

Dress modestly; remove hats and keep quiet inside the main hall.
Incense, flowers and offerings are usually sold right outside the gate; light an odd number of sticks (1 or 3).
Most pagodas open from early morning to evening and are free to enter (some major sites charge a small scenic fee).
Full-moon days, the 1st of the lunar month and Tet are very crowded; visit on weekday mornings for a quiet experience.
Ask permission before photographing inside shrines; do not touch statues or altar objects.

Read more & references

Useful links to learn more before your visit:

Location

Coordinates: 21.01410, 105.84955

🧭 Directions on Google Maps

References

Other pagodas in Hà Nội

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Chùa Bà Nành (Hà Nội)

Chùa Bà Nành (Hà Nội)

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Chùa Bà Ngô (Hà Nội)

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