THE SOUTHEAST ASIA'S LARGEST BUDDHIST COMPLEX OF BAI DINH PAGODA (North Vietnam): Bai Dinh pagoda is a large population known as many records such as: the largest pagoda of Vietnam, the biggest gold - plated copper of Asia and the longest lobby in Asia. The pagoda is located at the western of the ancient capital Hoa Lu, belonging to Gia Sinh commune, Ninh Binh.

Bai Dinh Pagoda situated in Gia Vien distr, Ninh Binh Province. 95 Km to the south of Hanoi. Where had known that the Ancient capital of Vietnam. It's become one of the most famous pagoda in Vietnam. Visitor travel to Ninh Binh should not miss visit this pagoda.

The ancient Bai Dinh pagoda is situated on the western slope of Dinh mountain and snuggles in the quiet forest. The pagoda homes an ancestor worshipping house at the centre. Bright cave on the right hand side that Worships the Buddha and the little temple worshipping Genie Cao Son. Additionally, on the left hand side of the pagoda is another temple. Where worshiping Saint Nguyen and adjacent to it's Dark cave that worships the Fairy. With fanciful scenery and quiet atmosphere. It will make visitors feel likely to live in fairy lands plus peace in minds.

In addition. Visitors can research a number grottos and caves. The beautiful ones like Fairy cave or Ba Chua Thuong Ngan cave. You will find a huge variety of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites with various shapes and sizes which will match the creative thinking of visitors.

On the other side of Dinh Mountain is brand new Bai Dinh pagoda. The pagoda foundation in 2003 and covering of 80ha. The Bai Dinh Pagoda has many parts. Such as. Tam The Temple, Phap chu Temple, Quan Am temple, Bao Thap, bell tower and also dormitory area for Buddhist monks.

All materials for building this pagoda from local area and some import from oversea. To build the pagoda needs about five hundred artisans and several groups of workers from traditional craftsmanship villages. They come from like Phu Loc wood making village, Ninh Van stone carving village, Yen bronze casting village, Van Lam Antique village.... Such individuals used Vietnamese materials. For example. Green stone of Ninh Binh or ceramic tile from Bat Trang to make Vietnamese characteristics for the architecture of Bai Dinh pagoda.

Worshipping Monuments. The most crucial emphasizing point of those excellent Religion functions are Tam The Temple and the Phap Chu Temple.

Two temples cover a total area of 1, 000 square meters. The height of Phap Chu Temple is up to 22m and it comprises five partitions. At the middle of this temple is a bronze Buddha Sykamuni Statue. The statue with 10 meters high and 100 tons weight. It's become the biggest Buddha statue in Vietnam. This statue is cast by bronze, set up by the renowned artisans casting the bronze statues in Y Yen, Nam Dinh.

There are numerous National records for this temple. Such as. Three biggest horizontal lacquered boards, 3 biggest Cua Vong. In Tam The Temple, you will find 3 Tam figurines representing the past, the present and the future. Each statue is 12 meters hight and 100 tons weighs. Another exceptional feature in Bai Dinh pagoda is wonderful Bell, with the burden of 36 tons was casted and located in Bell Tower. Additionally, there's 70 - ton bronze drum on the floor of the Tower.

Another special feature in Bai Dinh pagoda is “Great Bell” with the weight of 36 tons was casted and located in Bell Tower. In addition, there is 70 -ton bronze drum on the floor of the Tower. What’s more, coming to Bai Dinh pagoda, visitors have a chance to see the biggest Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue in Bodhissattva Temple. This statue looks so marvellous with thousand hands and eyes to present the protection and universal salvation for common people.

Furthermore, visitors will be astonished at the collection of 500 Arahat statues on the hill on the right – hand side of Phap Chu Temple. The 500 Arhat statues with the height of 2.3m, carved by Ninh Binh stone have different positions and gestures that create magic space and lively atmosphere.

Without a doubt,  Bai Dinh pagoda is masterpiece of both nature and men and it is the pride of Vietnamese people in terms of  unique architecture, culture and historical value.