Ngoa Van The Sacred Mountain Awaiting You From Over 700 Years Ago
It is no coincidence that people call Ngoa Van the most sacred sanctuary of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Over 700 years ago, in May 1307, Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong the king who twice led the army and people to defeat the Mongols left the throne and ascended Bao Dai mountain (now Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh) alone to build a hermitage for ascetic practice. In that place covered with clouds all year round, He named it Ngoa Van Hermitage "lying in the clouds". It was here that He entered Nirvana, becoming the First Patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen Sect a purely Vietnamese socially engaged Zen lineage that still flows endlessly to this day.
Therefore, Ngoa Van is not just a beautiful mountain. This is the place that witnessed the Buddhist Emperor passing away and attaining Buddhahood, where the cremation ceremony (jhāpita) was held, where his sarira (relics) are preserved at the Buddhist Emperor Stupa, and where, according to Buddhist sutras, "venerating and bowing at the sacred relics where a Buddha attained enlightenment and Buddhahood will bring immeasurable and boundless merit" (Venerable Thich Dao Hien).
And now, it only takes you a weekend morning to get there.
What is a Complete One-Day Weekend Tour to Ngoa Van Like?
Early morning: Departure When Hanoi is Still Sleeping, You Are Already on the Road
Leaving Hanoi at 6:00–6:30 AM via the Hanoi - Ha Long expressway, in about 1.5 to 2 hours you will arrive at the Trai Loc area the gateway to Ngoa Van Zen Village, An Sinh Ward, Quang Ninh Province.
The morning air here is completely different from Hanoi. Cool, clear, with a faint scent of pine and mist. Your lungs notice the difference even before your brain can process it.
Mid-morning: Ngoa Van Cable Car Flying Amidst the Clouds
The 52-cabin cable car system (Poma, France) takes you from the foot of the mountain up to Ngoa Van Pagoda and Hermitage at an altitude of 500–700m above sea level. This is not merely a means of transportation this is an experience.
In spring, the cabin glides through thin layers of clouds, making you feel like you are lying in the sky. On beautiful sunny summer days or cool autumn days, you can fully admire the endless, deep green, overlapping mountainous forests not a single building, not a single honking horn.
This cable car ride alone is worth the trip.
Morning - Noon: Pilgrimage to the Ngoa Van Pagoda and Hermitage Complex
This is the most sacred and meaningful part of the journey.
Ngoa Van Hermitage: where the bronze statue of Buddhist Emperor Tran Nhan Tong in Nirvana posture is placed. A tranquil space, with clouds hovering around the hermitage roof and incense smoke as thin as mist. Many visitors say that just standing here for a few minutes, all the heaviness in their hearts seems to naturally melt away.
Upper Ngoa Van Pagoda: built during the Tran Dynasty, where He practiced asceticism and attained Buddhahood, restored in 2014 keeping its ancient essence intact.
Middle Ngoa Van Pagoda: located on the southern mountainside at an altitude of 588–644m, featuring a "Nhi" (二) character architecture with a statue of the Buddhist Emperor made of red jade. A spacious, airy space, overlooking a vast expanse of mountains.
Buddhist Emperor Stupa: the place that preserves his sarira after the cremation ceremony over 700 years ago, a result of more than 10 years of archaeology confirmed by the research team.
From the pagoda and hermitage, those who want an extra challenge can continue climbing Khoi Nguyen Slope a slope cutting through the cool green bamboo forest, hidden in the mist to reach Ban Co Peak: the highest point of Bao Dai mountain, where legend has it that the Buddhist Emperor played a "Chess game of Life" for the nation of Dai Viet. On clear days, looking down from here is a panoramic view of majestic mountains that leaves one speechless.
Noon: Tea Meditation & Vegetarian Cuisine
Descending the mountain, Ngoa Van Zen Village welcomes you with a tea meditation experience in the Truc Lam Zen Hall a tranquil space featuring the lacquer painting "Supreme Wisdom and Freedom". Sitting with a straight back, holding a warm teacup with both hands, focusing on each breath this is the simplest way to practice mindfulness without needing to know anything about meditation.
Lunch at the Cho Que vegetarian restaurant features pure Vietnamese vegan and macrobiotic dishes which are wholesome, light on the stomach, yet fulfilling. In particular, the sweet potato vegan pizza and corn pizza are pleasant surprises that many first-time guests love: modern in form, purely vegan in spirit.
Eat slowly - Chew thoroughly - Do not look at your phone. This is also a way of meditation.
Afternoon: Strolling by the Stream Doing Nothing is Also an Experience
After lunch, the Zen Village has no mandatory itinerary. This is exactly what is rare in the world of tours today.
You can engage in forest bathing walk slowly amidst the pine forest, breathe the pristine air, and let your senses awaken bit by bit. You can sit by the stream and listen to the sound of water. You can meditate for another session in the Zen Hall. That is not wasting time that is what you have been missing for a long time.
Late afternoon: Returning to the City Bringing Peace Along
Leaving Ngoa Van at 4–5 PM, you will arrive back in Hanoi before 7 PM. The people are still there, the work is still there but you are different. Lighter. Brighter. As if freshly recharged from an energy source that you normally didn't know you needed.
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* Pilgrimage Information - Practical Guide
* Notes when visiting:
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- Hotline (Zalo): 0937641080
- Fanpage: Ngoa Van Yen Tu