Vietnam Pagodas

Nam Dư Thượng Pagoda

Hà Nội(Chùa Nam Dư Thượng)

Overview & history

Nam Dư Thượng Pagoda is located in Nam Dư Thượng village, now part of Lĩnh Nam ward, Hoàng Mai district, Hanoi City. The pagoda was classified as an architectural and artistic heritage site by the Ministry of Culture and Information on 31 January 1992.

History

The pagoda worships the Buddha and two female deities who made great contributions to the locality: Empress Dowager Trương Thị Niếu, who was loyal to the Lê dynasty and was killed by the Mạc army who pursued her, overturned her boat and killed her; and Principal Consort Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Tú, wife of Marshal and National Regent Thanh Đô Vương Trịnh Tráng. Principal Consort Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Tú contributed her own money to hire labourers to build dykes and reclaim land from the Red River, creating over 200 mẫu (Vietnamese acres) of farmland for the people to cultivate. She was also the one who funded the construction of this pagoda in the 4th year of Vĩnh Tộ (1622).

According to a stone stele erected in the 10th year of Vĩnh Tộ (1628), the pagoda was built at the beginning of the 17th century. The pagoda complex includes a tam quan (three-entrance gate), main pagoda, Mẫu Hall (dedicated to Mother Goddesses), connecting corridor, hậu cung (sanctuary), Tổ House (ancestral hall), monks’ quarters, and kitchen.

The current pagoda faces southwest. The tam quan is quite large, built with two tiers of curved roofs and arched vaults. In the pagoda courtyard there is a small miếu (spirit shrine); behind the miếu is a small văn chỉ (Confucian shrine). From the courtyard to the main pagoda, one must pass through a verandah 1.20m wide. The pagoda faces southwest and is constructed in the shape of the Chinese character Công (工). The tiền đường (front hall) has five bays, with the central bay connected to the hậu cung by a corridor of three small bays. The Mẫu Hall is to the left of the main pagoda, consisting of three outer bays and two connecting bays housing altars and some Mother Goddess statues. The Tổ House, monks’ quarters, and kitchen comprise six bays, with three bays adjacent to the Mẫu Hall serving as the ancestral hall.

Nam Dư Thượng Pagoda houses over 30 round statues arranged in five rows on the main altar, similar to other Vietnamese pagodas.

In front of the tiền đường are statues of the Holy Monk, Đức Ông (Venerable Sir), two Dharma Protectors, and various Kings of Hell.

The hậu cung contains many thrones and ancestral tablets dedicated to deities, as well as a statue of Lady Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Tú, who is venerated by the people as Vua Bà (Queen Mother).

The pagoda still preserves 16 horizontal lacquered boards, 10 pairs of parallel sentences, two imperial decrees, three joint decrees, one bronze mace, one stone gong, one palanquin, four thrones, ancestral tablets, one hammock palanquin, one stone stele dated Vĩnh Tộ 10 (1628), one bronze bell, and more.

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: 20.98306, 105.88074

🧭 Directions on Google Maps

References

Other pagodas in Hà Nội

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Chùa Bà Nành (Hà Nội)
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Chùa Bà Ngô (Hà Nội)
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