Keo Pagoda
Keo Pagoda
Keo Pagoda
Keo Pagoda
A National Special Monument and a unique example of 17th-century Vietnamese wooden architecture.
Thai Binh
Temple
History and Culture
Keo Pagoda is a majestic temple complex with a history spanning nearly a thousand years, founded in 1061 under the Lý dynasty. This place is striking not only for its spiritual significance but also for its unique engineering: the complex's 17 buildings are constructed from ironwood without a single nail, and the famous bell tower is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as Vietnam's tallest ancient wooden bell tower.
- Visit duration
2–3 hours
- Average budget
from $25
- Admission
Check on site
- Current
32 °C, clear
- Best months
Feb – Sep
- Local language
Vietnamese
What you need to know
Spanning a total area of 5.8 hectares, the complex was restored in 1632 and represents a masterpiece of Lê dynasty architecture. Its symmetrical layout connects 128 rooms.
Main attractions:
- Wooden bell tower: A 17th-century engineering masterpiece featuring 12 curved roofs.
- Carved doors: The "two dragons" bas-reliefs on the inner gates are recognized as a national treasure.
- "Snow Mountain" Buddha statue: A unique artifact depicting the Buddha, crafted using a lost technique from a mixture of paper, ash, and molasses.
- Incense altar (Nhan Gang): Another national treasure housed within the sanctuary.
The best time to visit is during the Spring Festival (4th day of the 1st lunar month) and the Autumn Festival (mid-September).
On site
- How to get there
Keo Village, Vũ Tiến Commune, Vũ Thư District, Thái Bình Province (110 km from Hanoi)
- Accommodation
Hotels in Thái Bình
- Opening hours
24 hours
- Cash
Required
- Connectivity
4G
- With kids
Yes