Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda
4
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Bai Dinh Pagoda, which belongs to The World Natural and Cultural Heritage Trang An Landscape Complex, has been considered as the Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist complex. It consists of several temples and over 500 intricately carved statues of Buddha, including some giant ones. Set within the Gia Sinh Commune, it attracts a huge crowd of local devotees and travellers looking to pay their respects and have their fortunes told by the resident monks. There are two main pagodas of the same name, one of which is located on the slopes of Dinh Mountain often called the Ancient Pagoda. Accessible via a 300-step stairway, this quiet shrine houses a main prayer hall and natural caves, where locals pray to Buddha, Mother Goddesses and mountain spirits such as Saint Nguyen and Genie Cao Son. The New Bai Dinh Pagoda (extended part) is about 800 metres away, seen in most photos, covers a total area of 7 million square metres and achieves lots of titles in The Guinness Book of Vietnamese Records.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- obdocSanJoseSan Jose, California482 contributionsHuge temple complex with shops and restaurantsWe visited the temple complex with friends who are devout Buddhists. This is a newer development on an ancient site from 1,000 years ago. There are electric buggies to take visitors between sites. The landscaping is beautiful. The temples are also very beautiful with huge statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva. It was a 3+ hour drive from our cruise port in Halong Bay. We had another 3 hour drive back to Hanoi. There are hotels in the area to be able to spend more time at the temples and on the grounds. It was extremely hot and humid in late October and we could not tolerate much walking due to the weather. There are photographers who can take photos. Our group of six had one photo for each ticket purchased.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 October 2023
- Anna M3 contributionsBeautiful tourist spotSo much more than I was expecting - thought it was just going to be one pagoda but instead we were met with a number of beautiful buildings and stunning surroundings. While a lot of it is new I don’t think that takes away from the experience. We went on a Sunday afternoon and it was very quiet and peaceful. Highly recommend if you have a few hours spare.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 November 2023
- LaNyonsaiseWest Midlands, United Kingdom1,034 contributionsA strange place.We hired a taxi to take us to the pagoda, Hoa Lu and Mua Cave starting at the pagoda. This is a strange place, recently constructed and work is still going on yet it appears to be quite ancient. We paid for the entrance tickets including golf buggy. It’s a huge site and it would be a long walk. Bizarrely, instead of there being a simple system with one buggy doing the whole circuit you have to travel a short way on one buggy then transfer to a different one at several points. There are lots of temples to visit, each adorned with gold statues. It’s interesting to see what items are placed in front of the Buddha, fruit, Danish butter cookies and Coca-Cola to name but a few. The view from the tower is not to be missed and the religious foundation has had the foresight to put in a lift. The attendants will insist that you wear cloth overshoes to protect the marble floor so you need to take care not to slip or trip when going up and down the spiral staircase that leads to the lift. Why is this pagoda so large? There were relatively few people when we were there and it’s hard to imagine it busy but there are crowd barriers at the ticket office and at the boarding points for the golf buggy.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 February 2024
- Marta OdinoStratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom173 contributionsVisit after sunset to enjoy the lights without touristsUnexpected beautiful pagoda! We visited in combo with the boat tour in Trang An. We arrived here after sunset to enjoy the night lights of the complex and it definitely worth it! We went on Sunday and we were almost the only tourists. The facilities like bars and restaurants were closed, but the electric cars and the toilet together with the access to the pagodas were open until 9pm. Recommended!Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 April 2024
- Chris318iRegensburg, Germany422 contributionsBiggest pagoda in Ninh BinhBiggest pagoda in Ninh Binh. It was a little bit complicated to find the parking lot. At the parking lot there is also the ticket counter where you can choose among different options. The area around the pagoda is huge, therefore you will need at least two to three hours if you want to see the most important spots. From our point of view the Bai Dinh Pagoda is worth a visit.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 28 April 2024
- alisawwMissoula, Montana179 contributionsStrange place, but worth a visitWe went here as we were a bit out of ideas of what to do when in Ninh Binh, and so we took mopeds and when to the nature preserve (meh, although the riding of mopeds around the nearby mountains was nice) and here. This was both strange and a good visit. It felt a bit like a Buddhist Disneyland - it is huge. They could park 10,000 cars in the parking lot. But it is still beautiful, and it was nearly empty while we were there, so it still felt respectful. Not sure what it would be like on a really busy day. It was very odd that they had a souvenir shop at the end that had Elsa dolls from Frozen and other random stuff mixed with little Buddha statues. Worth a visit - you can spend 1 hour to 4 here, depending on how much time you spend in each temple. It was REALLY hot while we were there so we took it slow and skipped some, taking about 2 or fewer hours to explore.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 26 June 2024
- Co P1 contributionTrip to Bai Dinh PagodaWe had a great time at the pagoda. Our tour guide is Trần Thị Huyền. She’s amazing. The pagoda is huge. We went to chưa ha (bottom), middle and top. Our tour guide explained clearly everything around the pagoda. Our family have 15 people including the elder and kids. Our tour guide was able to engage kids by explaining things in English. Overall, we’re happy with our visit at Bai Dinh pagoda. And I highly recommend Huyền to guide the tour.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 31 July 2024
- EmacadoMunich, Germany16 contributionsNice to visit - but quite touristicThe pagoda complex is huge and very impressive. Because it was very hot today (37C), we chose the hop-on/hop-off option for 250k per person. There is also a herbal foot bath included in the price. We couldn’t visit the ancient temple because it was too hot to walk up. Unfortunately, they don’t offer tours with professional tour guides who explain some things to you but you can scan QR-Codes and read something about the temples and pagodas. The free option isn’t even mentioned at the ticket office and it seems to be very touristic. There are many people who want to sell you their things, drinks or a massage.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 9 August 2024
- Ghini19 contributionsMe at Bai Dinh pagodaI had a great time here. I took me 2.5-3 hours for all. Everything was so beautiful and ancient. I really like the atmosphere here. Hdv Nguyen Thi Tuyet helped me a lot. She gave me useful information about the ticket fee and where i need to go. Thanks TuyetVisited August 2024Travelled soloWritten 23 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
1,213 reviews
Excellent
607
Very good
350
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150
Poor
63
Terrible
43
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Tom Bugden
Sydney, Australia8 contributions
Jan 2020
The Bai Dinh pagoda is a great spot to visit, however the tour operators have designed a completely useless system to view the area. Upon arrival “tour operators” try to poach you and confuse you into buying one of their tours for 600k dong! (What a rip off). Too add to this the ticket fairs displayed are only the price for one way on the electric bus, you must buy a two-way ticket unless you want to walk back around 10kms.
The actual pagoda is amazing as previously mentioned, however you must find it first. To do this I’d say you need around 3 hours to enjoy the experience as well as find your way around the complex.
There are much better places to spend the day around Ninh Binh (e.g.Trang An) But worth a visit if you have a few hours to kill and don’t mind getting lost a few times.
The actual pagoda is amazing as previously mentioned, however you must find it first. To do this I’d say you need around 3 hours to enjoy the experience as well as find your way around the complex.
There are much better places to spend the day around Ninh Binh (e.g.Trang An) But worth a visit if you have a few hours to kill and don’t mind getting lost a few times.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morten Bay Madsen
Copenhagen, Denmark17 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Nice complex with beautiful temples. However it is only the ancient pagoda in the hills that are of older times. The rest is newly built.
You can easily walk the area and save the expense of an electric car and guide the eager personell tries to sell You. They claim it takes 4hours and a total distance of 6k therefore persuading You to choose the car.
We chose to take the car to the far entrance and walk back spending 30.000vnd pax.
Worth a visit.!
You can easily walk the area and save the expense of an electric car and guide the eager personell tries to sell You. They claim it takes 4hours and a total distance of 6k therefore persuading You to choose the car.
We chose to take the car to the far entrance and walk back spending 30.000vnd pax.
Worth a visit.!
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xin chào MBM_dk!
Thank you for the review. We are very pleased that you chose to visit the Bai Dinh Pagoda and we hope your visit was the highlight of your trip to the Ninh Binh area. We hope to see you back again, one day soon.
Love and peace,
Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex
Written 6 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ananth K
Hyderabad, India25 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This complex is simply magnificent, the work of a businessman creating a spiritual resort. Very well done, clean, beautiful.
The comments from few others on this forum are valid, it is somewhat confusing with no proper directions
Note
1. Entry to the complex is *free*. You don't have to buy the electric car tickets. There is a straight 1km road to get to and back, abiding the long road
2. The route the electric car takes you on is the long road, but will save you a ton of walking.
3. This is a sprawling complex, expect to walk a lot and climb a lot of stairs
If you like Pagodas, huge Buddha statues, Buddhist architecture, you will love it.
The comments from few others on this forum are valid, it is somewhat confusing with no proper directions
Note
1. Entry to the complex is *free*. You don't have to buy the electric car tickets. There is a straight 1km road to get to and back, abiding the long road
2. The route the electric car takes you on is the long road, but will save you a ton of walking.
3. This is a sprawling complex, expect to walk a lot and climb a lot of stairs
If you like Pagodas, huge Buddha statues, Buddhist architecture, you will love it.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avid Traveler
Noida, India276 contributions
Oct 2019
We visited the pagoda as part of a group tour package, which included the electric car, and an English speaking guide as part of the tour package. We loved the grandiose pagoda. While a modern construction, it doesn't take away the impressiveness of the construction.
The attention to detail was mesmerizing.
Overall, it was worth a visit!
The attention to detail was mesmerizing.
Overall, it was worth a visit!
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xin chào Ram Kumar C,
Thank you so much for visiting our attraction and for taking the time to write such a great review. We really appreciate the feedback and hope that you will tell your friends about your visit and how much you enjoyed it.
Looking forward to welcoming you back as our regular guests.
Love and peace,
Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex
Written 5 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nixoid
San Francisco, CA10 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Mind-blowing scale temple complex with infinite number of buddhas and other giant artifacts that will blow my mind. After all the boring temples in the region this one is a pleasant surprise.
You need at least 5 hours to fully explore it. Full day is recommended.
How transportation works for 150k ticket:
At every stop there is a bus line (queue of busses) that takes you to the next temple. You get out, explore the temple, and then get on any other bus - it goes only to the next stop again. If you want to skip the stop - you get out anyway and get on the next bus right away.
You need at least 5 hours to fully explore it. Full day is recommended.
How transportation works for 150k ticket:
At every stop there is a bus line (queue of busses) that takes you to the next temple. You get out, explore the temple, and then get on any other bus - it goes only to the next stop again. If you want to skip the stop - you get out anyway and get on the next bus right away.
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert W
6 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Definitely would not recommend this place, website says free, but that is definitely not the case, you will end up paying for parking then get scammed on the outrageous price packages to buy tickets to the pagoda. You will be confused the whole time you are there. Felt more like a tourist Disneyland for Buddha, every turn they will try to sell you on something or try to get you to buy something. This place is the true definition of tourist trap.
Written 16 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iago G
2 contributions
Feb 2020
Whenever you switch up all you notice is tourists everywhere and you're experiencing somewhat love in a traveler factory but largely for Vietnamese. For information, one particular period with the parking, you have going directly on as well as you're likely to notice many hometown sellers, then you will have to go for 15 mins plus you will switch up in the pagoda. The location is extremely big plus you have something such as 5 major building with various states insides. The one at the summit as three big Buddha within as well it is really remarkable. I do not go along with of all the previous advice: hardly any one is going to attempt to market you something or perhaps impact you for nearly every reason. In truth, one particular period of the pagoda, you come to become the appeal for nearly all of the Vietnamese and it is really funny. For information the entry does not cost you anything, the parking for the motor scooter is 15' zero VND and definitely the cars you're competent to draw going the pagoda is 25' zero VND for each way.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xin Chào Lago G!
Thank you for the review. We are very pleased that you chose to visit the Pagoda and we hope your visit was the highlight of your trip to the Ninh Binh area. We hope to see you back again, one day soon.
Best Regards,
Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex
Written 5 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Explorer
Klang, Malaysia106 contributions
Feb 2020
Very calm. the walk path is accompanied with 500 Buddha student statues. Get ready with camera. ample of place to take pictures. the temple is nice place to see. especially the 100tonne Buddha statue and the Quan yin statue carved from tree.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Kamahraj R,
Your review is much appreciated. We want to make our attraction a pleasure to visit and we hope that we see you again soon. Don't forget to tell your friends about us.
Love and peace,
Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex
Written 5 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Constance
Nantes, France6 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We wanted to go see these temples. It was 5 p.m. the site closed at 9:45 p.m. Our hotel advised us to do it at the end of the day because it’s pretty after dark. We arrive, pay for parking, the welcome is cold. Then the time comes to take the tickets (which have doubled) they sell us the tour for 220,000 at all costs but we wanted to walk. Impossible, they laugh and tell us that it’s very long and that we’re going to have to walk patati patata, they only swear by the most expensive ticket. We tell them once again that we want to do it on foot for 60,000 with the return by electric car. They tell us that the bus will be able to bring us but not bring us back after 6 p.m. that's it, then she gets lost and tells us 6:30 p.m. then 6:45 p.m. Finally in all cases she does not want to sell us the walking tour and felt offended because she did not succeed in selling us her solution for 220,000, so we decided even if we had the time not to do it. tour with them, because just at first glance, the attitude and atmosphere created by the office literally DISGUSTED us.
15 minutes later we returned to the scooter parking lot to ask for cash back or a small discount, the lady, cold as a prison door, tore the ticket in front of our eyes and left without saying a word.
STAFF TO AVOID.
15 minutes later we returned to the scooter parking lot to ask for cash back or a small discount, the lady, cold as a prison door, tore the ticket in front of our eyes and left without saying a word.
STAFF TO AVOID.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siddharth M
Mumbai, India125 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
First of all, this is a newly built place so people seeking historical places should avoid.
That said, it is quite charming and serene and worth a visit if you have the time.
Now why such a poor review -
At ticket shop, there are two options, "Electric tram for 60000 VND" and "Combo Electric Shuttle and entry to Stupa". We did not have a lot of time so thought will just use the tram to quickly visit and return. However, the cheaper ticket only drops you to the first stop at the base of the complex and requires you to walk the rest of way up (over 1km incline). The expensive one allows you to take the tram all the way up with stops at all important attractions.
So the 220000 ticket should say tram to the top including all stops and 60000 ticket should say tram only to the bottom ie first stop and walk the remaining way. Your information is wrong and you are losing money because of this as I would have bought the 220000 ticket and not the 60000 ticket.
That said, it is quite charming and serene and worth a visit if you have the time.
Now why such a poor review -
At ticket shop, there are two options, "Electric tram for 60000 VND" and "Combo Electric Shuttle and entry to Stupa". We did not have a lot of time so thought will just use the tram to quickly visit and return. However, the cheaper ticket only drops you to the first stop at the base of the complex and requires you to walk the rest of way up (over 1km incline). The expensive one allows you to take the tram all the way up with stops at all important attractions.
So the 220000 ticket should say tram to the top including all stops and 60000 ticket should say tram only to the bottom ie first stop and walk the remaining way. Your information is wrong and you are losing money because of this as I would have bought the 220000 ticket and not the 60000 ticket.
Written 24 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there free parking for motorcycles?
Written 14 October 2018
There is a motorcycle parking mafia there. These guys will stop you, follow you, whistle at you and shout at you until you finally park inside there parking. There is a huge free area around there. You can park thousands of bikes. But these guys won’t allow to do that. They charge you 15,000 dong per bike. It’s an organized mafia from the locals.
Written 17 November 2018
I was wearing shorts and t-shirt which was fine
Written 15 February 2017
annelharding
Hanoi, Vietnam
What is appropriate clothing to wear to this pagoda
Written 15 February 2017
Hi respect is the key; even though this is open for sight seeing. Just observe common sense and respect.
1. No sleeveless.
2. Don't show too much skin
3. If wearing skirt or dress, should be below your knees.
4. If wearing shorts, should not be the short short. The length should be 3/4 way to your knees or longer.
Bai Dinh is magnificent and requires a lot of walking so comfortable clothes are needed.
Hope this help
Written 15 February 2017
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