The delegation was received by Pham Hoang Son, Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People's Committee; Dao Thanh Truong, member of the municipal Party Committee's Standing Board and Vice Chairman of the People's Committee; and leaders of several departments and Van Ha ward.

Delegates plant the Bodhi tree at Bo Da Pagoda.

Venerable Thich Tuc Vinh, abbot of Bo Da Pagoda, briefed the ambassador on the site's history and distinctive features. Located in Van Ha ward, Bo Da Pagoda is one of the most representative ancient Buddhist sites in the Kinh Bac region.

According to historical records and folk legends, the pagoda was originally built during the Ly Dynasty in the 11th century and expanded into a large-scale complex in 1720, under the Le Trung Hung Dynasty.

Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Pham Hoang Son presents a commemorative gift to the Indian Ambassador.

It follows the Linji school of Zen Buddhism and also enshrines the Three Patriarchs of the Truc Lam Zen sect – Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa and Huyen Quang – alongside other revered figures, including Confucius, Laozi and Thach Linh Than Tuong.

This reflects the Vietnamese cultural philosophy of the harmonious coexistence of the three teachings: Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.

The Indian Ambassador to Vietnam and delegates visit the repository of Buddhist sutra woodblocks.

Despite undergoing several restorations and renovations, Bo Da Pagoda has retained its distinctive traditional architectural layout. One of its most notable features is the “open interior, enclosed exterior” design, which creates a secluded, solemn and tranquil space.

The relic site comprises Tu An Pagoda, Tam Duc Hermitage, Cao Pagoda, a pagoda tower garden and an extensive system of temple gardens.

The Ambassador interacts with the artists.

Bo Da Pagoda is home to what is regarded as Vietnam's largest pagoda tower garden, preserving the remains of more than 1,000 Buddhist monks and nuns over a period of more than 300 years.

The pagoda also preserves 1,935 Buddhist sutra woodblocks of the Linji Zen school, carved on persimmon wood in Chinese and Nom scripts.

Recognised as National Treasures, the woodblocks are among the elements contributing to the site's Outstanding Universal Value.

In recognition of its outstanding historical, architectural, artistic, religious and landscape values, the pagoda was designated a special national relic site by the Prime Minister in 2016.

It is part of the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes inscribed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2025.

During his visit, Ambassador Sherpa said Bo Da Pagoda was not only a centre for training Buddhist monks of the Linji Zen school for centuries, but also a distinctive architectural and landscape complex reflecting Vietnam's traditional cultural, philosophical and artistic values.

In recent years, India has undertaken various activities in Bac Ninh city to promote investment, trade, culture and the arts.

The ambassador expressed his desire to continue visiting historical, cultural and Buddhist sites across the city and further promote stronger, more substantive cooperation between the two countries, strengthening bilateral ties and delivering tangible benefits to their development, including that of Bac Ninh city.

The delegates pose for a photo.

On behalf of the municipal leadership, Truong expressed his pleasure at welcoming the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam.

He emphasised that the presentation of the Bodhi tree by the Embassy of India to Bo Da Pagoda carried special significance, serving not only as a valuable cultural and spiritual gift but also as a vivid symbol of friendship, trust and close ties between the people of the two countries.

The planting of the Bodhi tree at Bo Da Pagoda, a special national relic site within a UNESCO-recognised World Cultural Heritage complex, further deepens cultural exchanges and spiritual connections between the two nations.

Preserving the ancient character of Kinh Bac’s Buddhist pagodas

BAC NINH - Through the twists and turns of history, the ancient pagodas of Kinh Bac have retained their solemn and tranquil character, drawing visitors with their architecture, antiquities and layers of cultural heritage. Preserving this legacy, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s chapter in Bac Ninh province (VBS Bac Ninh) has identified heritage conservation as the foundation, with promoting its values as the goal.

Hai Phong pagoda recognised for Asia-record stone walls engraved with Buddhist swastika symbol

The swastika motifs above represent auspiciousness and form part of the 32 auspicious marks associated with Gautama Buddha, signifying wisdom, virtue and compassion attained through enlightenment.

 

2026 Vinh Nghiem pagoda festival kicked off: honouring heritage values, spreading national cultural identities

BAC NINH- In the evening of March 30 (Lunar February 12) the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Fatherland Front Committee of Tan An ward in collaboration with the provincial Buddhist Sangha and Vinh Nghiem pagoda solemnly organised the opening ceremony of Vinh Nghiem pagoda festival 2026.

Vinh Nghiem pagoda festival 2026 features new highlights to mark UNESCO recognition and “Returning to the heritage land” festival

BAC NINH- Vinh Nghiem pagoda festival (in Tan An ward) will take place from March 30 to April 1 (12 to 14th of Lunar February) at the biggest scale ever with several new and distinctive contents. 

Tho Ha communal house, pagoda, and Confucian temple complex recognised as special national relic site

BAC NINH - The Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Van Ha ward, Bac Ninh province organised a ceremony at the Tho Ha communal house on March 9 to announce the decision and receive the certificate recognising the Tho Ha communal house, pagoda, and Confucian temple complex as a special national relic site.