Place guide

Tram Gian Pagoda

Tram Gian Pagoda is a historic Buddhist complex on Ma Yen hill in the Tien Lu range, traditionally associated with the late Ly period and recognized as a national monument.

Ma Yen hill in present-day Chuong My Ward, Ha Noi
Overview

Understand the place through its setting, meaning and everyday use.

Ha Noi authorities describe Tram Gian, whose formal name is Quang Nghiem Tu, as a long-established religious and architectural complex extending from the foot to the top of Ma Yen hill. The name 'Tram Gian' reflects the perceived scale of its many architectural bays rather than a requirement to count exactly one hundred modern rooms. The monument was nationally recognized in 1962. A major conservation project launched in 2025 remained active into 2026, so visitor access and the condition of individual components must be treated as time-sensitive.

Key things to understand

  • Read the complex from the foot of the hill upward rather than as one hall.
  • Look for the bell tower as a major architectural focus.
  • Treat the 'hundred compartments' name as a traditional scale identity, not a simplistic room count.
  • Notice surviving inscriptions, bells and other historic objects.
  • Check conservation-related access before visiting.
Place perspective

How to understand this place

Why it matters

Tram Gian preserves a major hill-based Buddhist architectural ensemble in the cultural landscape of historic Xu Doai.

What makes it distinctive

Its architecture unfolds across the hill, with the bell tower providing a particularly strong visual and artistic focus.

What visitors often miss

The familiar name describes the perceived scale of the ensemble; it should not be reduced to a modern room-count exercise.

A large historic hill pagoda in western Ha Noi, formally known as Quang Nghiem Tu.
Place identity

Understand its role, setting and meaning

Identity
Place Type
Historic Buddhist pagoda complex
Formal Name
Quang Nghiem Tu
Core Experience
Read an architectural ensemble distributed vertically across a wooded hill.
Landmark system

Read the key elements as one connected place

Plan your visit

Everything you need before you go

Location
City
Ha Noi Municipality
Visitor information
Opening Hours
Verify locally because conservation works can affect access
Admission
Verify current policy
Recommended Duration
60–90 minutes
Interpretation

Common mistakes when understanding this place

01

The name does not require a literal contemporary count of exactly 100 rooms.

02

Do not describe restoration work as completed without current confirmation.

Timeline

How the place reached its present form

Late Ly-period foundation tradition

Official local accounts associate the pagoda with the reign of Ly Cao Tong.

1962

National monument recognition

The pagoda received national historical-cultural monument status.

Major conservation project launched

Chuong My began a large restoration project covering Tram and Tram Gian pagodas.

2026

Conservation continues

Current local-government reporting confirms ongoing restoration activity.

Glossary

Useful place and heritage terms

Quảng Nghiêm tự
Formal Sino-Vietnamese name of Tram Gian Pagoda.
Gian
An architectural bay or compartment; the traditional name should not be read simply as a count of modern rooms.
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is Tram Gian Pagoda's formal name?

Quang Nghiem Tu.

When was it nationally recognized?

Official Ha Noi reporting states that Tram Gian and Tram pagodas were recognized as national historical-cultural monuments in 1962.

Is restoration complete?

Do not assume so. Local authorities were still reporting conservation works in 2026.

Sources

Primary references

Ha Noi PortalChương Mỹ khởi công tu bổ, tôn tạo Cụm di tích quốc gia chùa Trầm - chùa Trăm Gian
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Chuong My Ward, Ha NoiCùng chung sức bảo vệ và phát huy giá trị di tích Quốc gia chùa Trăm Gian
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Ha Noi Department of Culture and SportsHội thảo khoa học bảo tồn chùa Trầm, chùa Trăm Gian
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