The most beautiful pagodas to visit Hanoi

Mua Mountain is home to an 800^m2 grotto and a small pagoda dedicated to Quan Âm, perched high on a rocky outcrop and distinguished by its dragons. The pagoda is of very ancient foundation (Trân dynasty). Access is via an interminable flight of steps. The ascent is a little tough, but is rewarded by a splendid panorama of the region from the various viewpoints . It's worth noting that many of Hoa Lu's sites are being privatized and exploited for tourism, notwithstanding their historical interest..

This superb pagoda is a fine example of traditional architecture and religious syncretism of the time. A stele indicates that it was founded in 1632 by Ngoc Dong,^third rank concubine of Lord Trinh Trang. Other sources indicate the previous presence of a place of worship which they date back to the Trân dynasty. The pagoda is remarkable because of its roof which descends very low. It houses 257 lacquered statues, half in jackfruit wood and half in terracotta, as well as a beautiful bronze bell from 1743.

At the top of Mount Câu Lâu, the pagoda is reached by a steep staircase where the ascent is made difficult by the irregular succession of laterite steps, blunted by time. The foundation of the pagoda would go back to the 8th century but it has undergone successive reconstructions: in 1632 (a stele mentions the work carried out) and, in 1794, during the reign of the Tây-Son, then after the bombings of 1954. The pagoda is known for its collection of jackfruit wood carvings, red and gold lacquered, including the famous 18 arhats.