Pilgrimage to the Buddhist sanctuary on Yen Tu Mountain

A pilgrimage to the Buddhist sanctuary on Yen Tu Mountain in Quang Ninh province is popular with both Buddhists and tourists. Many like to climb to Dong (Bronze) Pagoda at the peak of Yen Tu Mountain, about 1,068 meters above sea level, to greet the sunrise of a new day.

Yen Tu Mountain in the Dong Trieu range of northeastern Vietnam is closely linked to the establishment of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism in Vietnam.

King Tran Nhan Tong (1258-1308) led the Vietnamese people to victory over the powerful Mongolian army of the Yuan Monarchy in two campaigns in 1285 and 1287. In the early 14th century he gave up his throne to his son Anh Tong, left his royal palace, and went to Yen Tu Mountain to lead an ascetic religious life. He founded the Truc Lam Zen sect and took the name Huong Van Dai Dau Da, which means “Great Ascetic of Fragrant Clouds”. Later he was called Truc Lam Dai Si.

Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong ordered the construction of a complex of religious architectural works on Yen Tu Mountain in which to practice and teach the Buddhist tenets and dharma.