Located on the southern slope of the Yen Tu range, Ngoa Van is a legacy left by Emperor-monk Tran Nhan Tong. It holds a distinct Zen lineage and a philosophy that blends the sacred and the secular, a legacy that has endured throughout the nation's history.

Ngoa Van Pagoda, situated on the southern slope of the Yen Tu range, is often enveloped in clouds. Photo: Ngoa Van

In the course of history, King Tran Nhan Tong was an outstanding figure, leaving a profound mark in two aspects. As a monarch, he directly led the people of Dai Viet to defeat the Yuan-Mongol invaders two times, fostering the Dong A spirit of heroism and national unity to its zenith. When the country was unified and at peace, he made an extraordinary decision: to renounce the throne and don the monastic robes.

Numerous Buddhists and visitors on pilgrimage at Ngoa Van. Photo: Ngoa Van

In May 1299, King Tran Nhan Tong officially renounced his royal life to become a monk, taking the dharma name Huong Van Dai Dau Da. He unified the three existing Zen lineages – Ty Ni Da Luu Chi, Vo Ngon Thong, and Thao Duong – into one, establishing the Truc Lam Zen sect. This marked the first time in history that a unified Vietnamese Buddhist sangha, led by Vietnamese people, was formed. The vibrant spirit of the Truc Lam Zen sect lies in its "engaged with the world" (nhap the) philosophy and the principle "Buddha is in the heart" (Phat tai tam). Unlike the belief that spiritual practice requires detachment from worldly life, the Emperor-monk advocated the idea of "Living in the mundane world to find joy in the Dharma" (Cu tran lac dao) – finding happiness and enlightenment in everyday life. This philosophy blurred the lines between the sacred and the secular, demonstrating that a wise ruler could also be an enlightened Zen master, using compassion and wisdom as the foundation for building a prosperous nation.

The altar area dedicated to Emperor-monk Tran Nhan Tong. Photo: Ngoa Van

After a period of ascetic practice and teaching sentient beings in various places, the Emperor-monk chose Ngoa Van hermitage as his final resting place. The name "Ngoa Van", meaning "where clouds sleep", partly depicts the ethereal beauty of this place. Located at an altitude of over 700 m above sea level, Ngoa Van is covered by white clouds year-round, resembling a fairyland paradise, completely separated from the mundane world. It was also here, on the night of 1/11 Mau Than (1308), that the Emperor-monk peacefully relinquished his mortal body and entered Nirvana. This momentous event transformed Ngoa Van into a sacred site, a historical witness to the moment a great man merged with the sacred spirit of the land.

The cable car to Ngoa Van Pagoda. Photo: Ngoa Van

Today, the journey to Ngoa Van is not only a religious pilgrimage but also a return to cultural and historical roots. The path to the sacred peak is more convenient thanks to a modern cable car system, yet the wild, tranquil beauty of the mountains remains largely preserved. The Ngoa Van relic complex includes many structures such as Ngoa Van Hermitage, the Emperor-monk's stupa – where his sarira are kept – along with other ancient hermitages and stupas.

Every spring, especially on the opening day of the festival (the 9th day of the first lunar month) and Tet Thuong Nguyen (the 15th day of the first lunar month), numerous Buddhists and tourists visit Ngoa Van to offer incense, express gratitude for the merits of their ancestors, and honor the invaluable legacy left by King Tran Nhan Tong. This spiritual destination also hosts cultural, artistic, and vegetarian culinary activities for pilgrims.

By Thanh Thu