Admiring Asia’s tallest Buddhist Stupa at Bai Dinh Pagoda Complex

Standing 100 metres tall, the stupa has been recognised and certified as the tallest Buddhist stupa in Asia, drawing tens of thousands of Buddhist pilgrims and visitors from across Vietnam and beyond each year.

Architecturally, the stupa features a distinctive hexagonal design with a circumference of 24 metres. Its exterior is clad entirely in intricately crafted Bat Trang fired bricks, complemented by decorative motifs inspired by the artistic traditions of the Ly Dynasty, including drifting clouds, flowing water and lotus petals.

Hundreds of small stone Buddha statues are arranged harmoniously along all six exterior sides of the stupa, extending from its base to the pinnacle.

The first floor marks the beginning of the pilgrimage journey. At its centre is a solid bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, covered in a gleaming layer of gold. The statue lends the space a sense of grandeur and solemnity, creating an atmosphere of deep reverence.

Surrounding the worship area on the first floor is a series of intricately carved bas-reliefs set into the walls. Created by skilled artisans from India, the elaborate works depict key episodes from the life of the Buddha in vivid detail.

Visitors can reach the upper levels by elevator or staircase. As they ascend, each floor unfolds as a distinct and solemn worship space, featuring gilded Buddha statues carefully arranged throughout the tower.

At the heart of the 13th floor is a sacred collection of Shakyamuni Buddha’s relics, traditionally understood as remains of the Buddha. The relics were brought to Vietnam from India, Thailand and Myanmar in 2008.

The relics vary in size, from tiny grains resembling grains of sand to pieces roughly the size of a pea. In Buddhist tradition, they are regarded as symbols of wisdom and enlightenment the culmination of ethical conduct, meditative concentration and wisdom.

Beyond its architectural distinction, the construction of the Bao Thien Stupa also carries a deeper spiritual and cultural significance, serving as an expression of gratitude to National Preceptor Nguyen Minh Khong.

Today, the towering structure has become a major pilgrimage destination, embodying Vietnam’s Buddhist heritage while serving as a cultural and spiritual link between Vietnamese Buddhism and the wider Buddhist world./.