Bong Lai Pagoda is known as a unique, Oriental, religious structure situated in Ha Thach Hamlet (the pagoda has the substitute name as Ha Thach Pagoda), Phú Thọ Province.
In its inaugural, Bong Lai Pagoda had the original name “Bong Lai Tu” and had switched to “Bong Lai Thien Tao” (Natural Elysium) after its overhaul in Lê Cảnh Hưng Dynasty in the period of 1740-1876.
Bong Lai Pagoda is based on the highest, elephant-shaped hill in the neighborhood. This portrays the image of the pagoda as the connection between the sky and the earth. The view of the Pagoda from Red River’s dyke is compared to an on-earth Elysium since the pagoda is surrounded with fresh green paddy field, ancient roofs looming in the silhouette of long-standing bottle green trees and the cerulean sky. The fragrant atmosphere surrounding the holy place will absolutely relax and revive your soul like it is never touched by the busyness and rush of working life.
Legend has it that the Pagoda was constructed in Tran Dynasty (1226–1400). According to a bas-relief, called Chính Hòa Thất Niên, the overhaul of the pagoda added the forecourt, celestial chamber, the statue of Sakyamuni and other minor chambers.
The entrance of the Pagoda
As the legend goes, the constructing credit of Bong Lai Pagoda went to Đỗ Nguyên Cảnh, the General under Trịnh Doanh. Đỗ Nguyên Cảnh was a local being concerned of the security of the village, then soon deployed military to station at the village and commanded the construction of the Pagoda in only one night and undercover in order to avoid the discussion over the Pagoda. The villagers were taken aback by the sudden existence of the Pagoda, being convinced the Pagoda was built by God’s hand. Since then, the Pagoda has been