Located about 40 km from the center of Hanoi, Khai Nguyen Pagoda (also known as Tan Vien Pagoda) in Son Dong Commune, Son Tay, Hanoi is an ancient pagoda dating back to the Ly Dynasty (first half of the 11th century). Here, there is a new Buddha statue built on the largest scale in Southeast Asia to date with a height of up to 72m.

When Khai Nguyen Pagoda was first built in the 11th century, it was just a small pagoda. After many changes of the times and wars, the pagoda was completely destroyed. By the 18th century, Khai Nguyen Pagoda was restored and in 2003, Khai Nguyen Pagoda was donated by Buddhists near and far to build on a fairly large scale.
Khai Nguyen Pagoda stands out with its architectural style that harmoniously combines tradition and modernity. The structures in the pagoda all bear the historical imprint of Vietnamese Buddhism, especially the details and sophisticated patterns that bear the influence of the Ly Dynasty in the 11th century.
The highlight of the pagoda is the 72m high Buddha statue (recorded as the tallest in Southeast Asia) with a base of more than 1,200m2. The construction of this Amitabha Buddha statue began in 2015, initiated by Venerable Thich Dao Thinh, abbot of Khai Nguyen Pagoda, with a message for world peace, wishing for peace and prosperity for the country, the people and the development of Buddhism. The statue has a solid structure and is exquisitely crafted with the image of the majestic Amitabha Buddha in a cross-legged position, conveying compassion and wisdom. In his left hand is a blooming pink lotus, while his right hand is placed in the Teaching mudra. The Buddha's two palms are decorated with embossed Dharma wheels, representing the profound philosophies of Buddhism. The base of the statue is a giant lotus, with 3 layers and 56 petals.
The entire base of the statue is a high-rise building with many displays inside. Under the underground floor of the statue is an area designed to simulate the 18 levels of hell, to convey the profound meaning of the concept of reincarnation and the law of cause and effect in Buddhism.
When visiting Khai Nguyen Pagoda, you need to pay attention to:
• Appropriate clothing: To show respect for the sacred place, you should wear modest clothing, avoid impolite clothing.
• Do not make noise: The temple is a peaceful place, so keep the space quiet, do not make noise or disturb others.
• Do not touch objects: Avoid touching objects in the temple without the permission of the temple, and do not litter.