ChùaTrấn Quốc (or Tran Quoc Pagoda) is located beside the dazzling WestLake, on Thanh Nien Road, Hanoi. Particularly, it is seated on anisland linked by a bridge to the causeway between the two most romanticlakes of Hanoi: West Lake and Truc Bach Lake.

History

Theconstruction of the pagoda started in 541 and was completed in 545under the reign of King Ly Nam De (544-548) under its original name ofKhai Quoc (National Founder). It was initially built on the bank of theRed River (then West Lake and the Red River met).

Until the early 17^thcentury, under the reign of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618), the pagodawas moved to the Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) Islet due to the river bankcrumbling and was renamed Tran Quoc (National Defence).

A cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism – intricate architecture

Youmight ask yourself why among a number of beautiful pagodas in Hanoi,Tran Quoc should be visited. The reason derives from the fact that itis considered a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism partly for it isthe oldest pagoda and situated in the center of the capital of Vietnam.More importantly, unlike other ordinary pagodas, Tran Quoc Pagoda wasbuilt in a very intricate way. Behind the worshipping shrine is theBuddhist trinity followed by corridors, ten shrines and the belfry.Inside the pagoda, there are many valuable statues, such as the red lacstatue trimmed with gold of Sakyamouni Buddha's Parinirvana, which is amasterpiece of Vietnamese sculptural art, and lots of ancient stele,one of which was made in 1639 by Doctoral lau- Nguyen Xuan Chinh,recording the Pagoda's history.

Noone who has visited this significant pagoda of Hanoi does not takeinterest in its special and intricate style of architecture datedcenturies ago. Please come here to feel it yourself!

A nice tranquil backdrop

Itmust be said that the island and pagoda provide a beautiful backdrop,particularly when viewed at sunset. Standing at one end of  ThanhNien Road, one can see the towers of the pagoda rising above the lake’ssurface. In the pagoda’s garden stands a Bồ Đề (Bodhi) tree, which isattached to a past story. The story tells that in 1959, on his visit toVietnam, Indian Prime Minister Razendia Prasat offered the Pagoda abodhi tree as a gift. The plant was grafted from the holy bodhi treewhere Sakyamuni sat in zen (meditation) position and achievedenlightenment in India 25 centuries ago. Now the bodhi tree is easilyrecognizable from its heart-shaped leaves, taken from a cutting of itsoriginal tree. Today, the tree green and luxuriant, shading over partof the pagoda's yard.

Thesedays, Tran Quoc Pagoda, as a religious relic with a spectacular­surrounding scenery, is a favourite stop-over of so many foreignvisitors and pilgrims.

Note: The pagoda is open daily and visitors must be decently attired, long trousers are required for men.