Located in Mong Cai city’s Hai Yen ward of Quang Ninh province, Linh Son is known as one of a few oldest and largest pagodas in the Northeastern border of Vietnam.
According to historical records, Linh Son pagoda was built around the beginning of the 13th century by General Trần Quốc Tảng of the Tran Dynasty.
Through many ups and downs of history and the destruction of wars, the pagoda was badly damaged. By 2012, the pagoda was restored and embellished by Mong Cai city authorities with a finer appearance but still keeping what's inherent of a Vietnamese ancient pagoda’s architecture, with a upper main worshipping place in the west, five sanctums, three spaces of harem, an ancestry house, an offering-prepared house, a nun house, etc.
According to Venerable Thích Khai Bị, the abbot of Linh Son Pagoda, the pagoda still preserves its entire foundation carved with a large monolithic greenstone, and Buddha statues from the Nguyen period are almost entirely preserved.
Since the restoration, Buddhists and devotees everywhere have increasingly flocked to the pagoda, especially on traditional holidays and Tet festival. Senior Venerable Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Central Executive Council Thích Thanh Quyết said: “In recent years, many Buddhist followers have come here to practice and study Dharma. In addition, many Buddhist courses have been opened in this pagoda. Linh Son pagoda has been considered not only as a cultural center but also the most unique spiritual place remaining in the furthermost frontier”.
DT (bienphong.com.vn)
