There is never a bad time to plan your dream trips, and Asia is full of those fantasy-inducing journeys that live rent-free in travelers’ imaginations, according to Lonely Planet.
| Tran Quoc Pagoda on the shore of the West Lake in Hanoi. Photo: Thanh Hai/ The Hanoi Times |
The renowned travel website recently named Hanoi as a must-visit destination for any traveler exploring Asia. As part of a 10-day itinerary to discover Vietnam, Lonely Planet recommends spending at least two days in Hanoi to fully experience its charm. “Hanoi is a city that refuses to grow old gracefully and a journey from the millennium-old capital of ancient pagodas and labyrinthine streets to the hinterland is to see this country in all its contradictory glory: both raucous and rustic, exhilarating and eternal,” it wrote.
Lonely Planet emphasizes that a walk through Hanoi's temples and museums is an experience not to be missed. The ancient Thang Long Citadel, now the capital of Hanoi, was once the heart of Vietnam's culture and religion. The city is home to hundreds of pagodas and temples that have been preserved as vital elements of local spiritual life.
Pagodas, or "chua" in Vietnamese, are a quintessential feature of Asian architecture, although they can be complex in structure. While many feature tiered towers within temple complexes, the term "pagoda" in Vietnam refers to a Buddhist place of worship, whether or not a tall, tapered structure is present.
| International visitors to Hanoi. Photo: The Hanoi Times |
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Hidden throughout Hanoi are Buddhist pagodas that have survived dynasties and historical changes. Some 130 of them are recognized for their cultural and historical significance. The charm of Vietnamese pagodas lies in their seamless integration into their surroundings. Among the most famous is the Lang Pagoda in Hanoi's Dong Da district, considered one of the most beautiful in the city.
Built in the 12th century under the reign of King Ly Anh Tong (1138-1175) to worship Buddha, the pagoda has the typical architecture of Vietnamese pagodas with two long corridors connecting the first and last chambers to form a rectangular frame surrounding an architectural work in the center, which is usually the most important part of the pagoda such as the worship chamber or incense burning place.
| The Temple of Literature at night. Photo: Khanh Huy/ The Hanoi Times |
Besides its special architecture, Lang Pagoda also has other treasures with a lot of historical and artistic values. There are 198 statues, making Lang Pagoda one of the pagodas in the country with the largest number of worshipping statues. In addition to popular Buddhist sculptures, there are two special ones, including one of King Ly Than Tong sitting on a wooden throne and the other of Monk Tu Dao Hanh made of rattan and red lacquer.
In addition, there are dozens of horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, and steles. There is a large stele with 1.4 meters high and 0.8 meters wide erected in the 17th century with delicate patterns of dragons, phoenix, lotus, fairies, and so on, a masterpiece of stone sculpture of the period.
Particularly, every year, on the 7th day of the third lunar month, Lang Pagoda Festival is organized to show the gratitude to King Ly Than Tong and monk Tu Dao Hanh. It was a lively spring festival of the whole area that attracted people living on the sides of To Lich River nearby to attend. The festival involves ritual ceremonies and traditional games like swinging, wrestling, chess playing, tuong and cheo performances, among others.
| Quan Su Pagoda. Photo: Ho Ha/ The Hanoi Times |
Despite the current aggressive urbanization, Lang Pagoda still retains its special features, like a hidden beautiful tranquil gem in the green space.
Other famous pagodas in Hanoi include the Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on the shore of the legendary West Lake; the Quan Su Pagoda in Hoan Kiem District - the administrative center of Vietnamese Buddhism; and the ancient Van Nien or Millennium Pagoda in Tay Ho District, built nearly 1,500 years ago to honor Buddha and the Mother Goddess; among many others.
Lonely Planet recommends that on the third day of their Vietnam trip, tourists take a three-hour bus ride east to Bai Chay, the harbor where most boats depart for Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province. The travel website also suggests a memorable experience on a night train to Lao Cai Province. Tourists can relax in the cool air of Sapa for two days or challenge themselves with a climb to the mist-shrouded Fansipan, the "Roof of Indochina". These activities are among the must-do experiences for travelers this year.
| Van Nien Pagoda on Lac Long Quan Street, Tay Ho District. Photo: Thu vien Phat Quang |
Lonely Planet also highlights the northern province of Ha Giang, the Imperial City of Hue, and the vibrant merchant warehouses of Hoian Ancient Town in central Vietnam.
In addition, "10 Dream Trips to Asia in 2025" includes exploring India's romantic forts and palaces; marveling at Borneo's wildlife in Malaysia; visiting China's Golden Triangle of cities - Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai; experiencing temples and cherry blossoms in Japan's Kansai region; trekking through Nepal's serene Langtang Valley; discovering ancient cities in Sri Lanka; stepping back in time in Thailand; and traveling the Silk Road in Uzbekistan.
