Ngọa Vân Temple and Hermitage

About

Ngọa Vân is a complex of temples, hermitages and stupas in the forested Bảo Đài mountains, associated with the Buddha-King Trần Nhân Tông and the Trúc Lâm school. Its sacred sites lie at different elevations, so visitors need time to walk and explore each monument.

Visitor information

Founded

A sacred site associated with the final period of practice and the passing of the Buddha-King Trần Nhân Tông in 1308.

Visiting hours

Visiting hours may change with the temple’s practice schedule; please ask the temple before your visit.

Fees

Cable-car tickets and other services follow the prices in force at the time of use. Please check fares, operating hours and weather conditions with the operator before your visit.

Address

Núi Bảo Đài, khu vực Bình Khê, tỉnh Quảng Ninh; thuộc vùng Đông Triều trước đây.

Highlights

• ✓A sacred site associated with the Buddha-King Trần Nhân Tông in 1308.
• ✓Ngọa Vân Hermitage, temples and memorial stupas amid the Bảo Đài mountain forests.
• ✓An important pilgrimage setting in the Trúc Lâm Buddhist tradition.

History and origins

Historical sources record that Trần Nhân Tông came to practise at Ngọa Vân in 1307 and passed away here in 1308. Zen master Pháp Loa subsequently continued to build and enlarge the complex. Successive restorations, including work in the early 18th century under the Lê dynasty and recent reconstructions, have produced several architectural layers. The site should be understood as a heritage complex rather than a single temple building.

Architecture & surroundings

The site comprises temples, Ngọa Vân Hermitage, stupas and paths across the mountain slopes. The reconstructed temple consists of two adjoining halls; the brick hermitage with a vaulted roof is a place of reverence associated with the final period of the Buddha-King’s life. The Phật Hoàng and Đoan Nghiêm stupas emphasize the memorial character of the complex. Forests, clouds and open vistas between stops create its distinctive landscape.

Cultural value

Ngọa Vân is an important place for commemorating Trần Nhân Tông and learning about Trúc Lâm Buddhist thought. Its significance combines the history of religious practice, architectural heritage and community pilgrimage. The Ngọa Vân temple–hermitage cluster forms part of the Yên Tử–Vĩnh Nghiêm–Côn Sơn, Kiếp Bạc Complex of Monuments and Landscapes inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2025.

Events & festivals

The 2026 Ngọa Vân spring festival ran from 25 February to 3 March, corresponding to the ninth day through the full moon of the first lunar month. It included memorial incense offerings, prayers for the country’s peace and the people’s well-being, and cultural activities. Please check announcements for your intended year, as programmes and access to individual areas may change.