The pagoda was originally built during the Ly Dynasty and later expanded in 1262 during the Tran Dynasty. It was a place for high-ranking mandarins and the aristocracy of the Tran Royal Court to worship and follow a religious life.

Photo: Bao Lao Dong

The pagoda was built in the "noi cong ngoai quoc" style where the inner part was built in the form of the Han character 工 (Cong) and the outer, the Han character 国 (Quoc), had clear imprints of the cohabitation of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

The statue of King Tran Nhan Tong lying on his left side shows him entering Nirvana; the statues of the three founders of the Truc Lam Buddhist Sect, Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa, and Huyen Quang; and 60 red-lacquered and gold-trimmed Buddha and Saint Statues have been preserved in the pagoda.

Photo: Bao Lao Dong

Pho Minh Tower is a unique architectural work of the Tran Dynasty that is quite well-preserved and was built in 1305. It is estimated that the 700-tonne tower relies on an area of only 30 square meters but up to now it has remained where for 700 years. The base and the tower’s first floor were constructed with flagstones and the upper floors were built with bricks. At the top of the tower is a cube-shaped like an unopened lotus flower made of old terracotta.

The first floor of the tower is placed on a stone pedestal, with two layers of lotus petals, the lower layer is facing down, and the upper layer is facing up to support the square tower. Each side is more than 5 meters wide.

Pho Minh Tower is a unique architectural work of the Tran Dynasty that is quite well-preserved and was built in 1305. Photo: Bao Lao Dong

The pedestal and first floor have shallow carvings on the stone surface such as flowers, leaves, waves, and clouds, typical of the decoration style of the Tran Dynasty. The outside of the bricks on the upper floors are decorated with dragons.

Around the campus of Pho Minh Pagoda, there are many trees planted, creating a cool and peaceful space. The main altar has still preserved sculptured wooden door flaps (dragons) of the Tran dynasty, a big bell (1796), and numerous ancient statues (among them statues of the Truc Lam sect’s three patriarchs).

Photo: Bao Lao Dong

The tower has 14 floors and is 19.5 meters in height, built by King Tran Anh Tong to keep his father's sarira. According to archeology studies, the King had paid plenty of attention and care to Pho Minh tower.

Its construction process was extremely elaborate with sophisticated and advanced techniques, which might explain how the tower managed to last for seven centuries without any major damage.

Photo: Bao Lao Dong

Pho Minh Tower Pagoda together with Thien Truong Temple (worshiping the Tran kings) and Co Trach Temple (worshiping Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan) have formed a relic site that is not only valuable in terms of art but also has great meaning in history.

Other tourist attractions in Nam Dinh

Nam Dinh has many things to offer from the historic Tran Temple Complex, and Co Le Buddist temples to a paradise for nature lovers of Xuan Thuy National Park. It is also famous for its specialties with simple but delicious dishes, especially, homeland to well-known noodle soup with beef. If tourists are looking for an off-the-beaten-track destination to discover during their Vietnam holiday, this destination is perfect for them.

Not being defined as a hustling and bustling destination, Nam Dinh is a small quiet place that attracts visitors by its own food paradise. With one half-charged electric bicycle, people can get around this city and enjoy the delicacies it has to offer at super cheap prices.

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