The Co Le Pagoda is a complex of Buddhist architecture and Vietnamese religious beliefs with elements of Gothic architecture in the town of Co Le, Truc Ninh district, Nam Dinh province, right next to National Highway 21A. Inside the pagoda is the largest bell in Vietnam, called Dai Hong Chung, cast in 1936 by Venerable Thich The Long.

According to the introduction plaque in the pagoda, Co Le Pagoda was originally built during the reign of King Ly Than Tong, founded by the national teacher Nguyen Minh Khong for Buddha worship. The first pagoda was made of wood in ancient architectural style but was later destroyed. In 1902, under the leadership of Master Pham Quang Tuyen, the pagoda was redesigned and rebuilt in the "Nhat Thoc Lau Dai" architectural style, incorporating Gothic architectural elements similar to Catholic churches in the nearby area. Subsequently, the pagoda underwent several renovations, using materials such as bricks, lime, sugar cane, and paper to ensure the durability of the entire architectural structure.

Co Le Pagoda represents the integration of traditional Vietnamese architectural elements with Gothic architecture from Europe. Despite being a Buddhist temple, it bears resemblance to a Catholic church. In front of the pagoda stands the Nine-Petal Lotus Tower, 32 meters tall, with eight faces, built in 1927. The base of the tower is placed on the back of a large turtle, with four large artificial mountains at each corner, each adorned with four elephant statues. Inside the tower, a spiral staircase of 98 steps leads to the top. It is believed that those who reach the 98th step and touch the statue on top will have a fortunate life.

Beyond the tower is the Cuon Bridge, a three-span arched bridge over Chu Tich Lake (also known as Nui Lake). The bridge leads to Trinh Pagoda, also known as the Buddhist Assembly Hall. Trinh Pagoda, built in 1936 and renovated in 2001, houses a thousand-armed statue of Avalokiteshvara. In front of Trinh Pagoda are two large bronze urns.

To the left of Trinh Pagoda is Linh Quang Tu Temple, built in 1937 to honor Tran Hung Dao and two scholars from Co Le village, Dao Su Mo and Dao Toan Mo. To the right of Trinh Pagoda is Khanh Quang Palace, built in 1937, dedicated to the Three Holy Mothers.

Behind Trinh Pagoda is a large pond, and in the middle of the pond is a 9,000 kg bell called Dai Hong Chung. The bell, cast in 1936, is one of the largest in Vietnam. It has never been rung, but according to local folklore, when it rings, its sound can be heard throughout the province and nearby regions. People around the area contributed to its casting, even sacrificing their jewelry during the process.

Two artificial mountain-like bridges, called Nui Bridges, cross the lake and lead to the main architectural structure of Co Le Pagoda, known as Thien Quang Pagoda. This main hall is designed with a harmonious blend of traditional and modern styles. Thien Quang Pagoda was built in 1914 on the foundation of a 12th-century ancient temple. In 1995, the pagoda underwent major renovations. Inside the pagoda is a four-meter tall gilded wooden Buddha statue, accessible by stairs on both sides. Behind the Buddha statue is an altar dedicated to Nguyen Minh Khong.

From the Buddha hall, corridors extend to guesthouses and ancestral homes, with walls adorned with memorial plaques. The ancestral home contains a statue of Venerable Pham Quang Tuyen.

Behind the ancestral home is a large bell tower, called Kim Chung Bao Cac, with a traditional three-tiered architecture, measuring 13.4 meters tall, built in 1997. The second tier holds a large bronze bell, cast in 2003, weighing 9,000 kg. The third tier holds another bronze bell from the time of Le Canh Thinh, weighing 300 kg.

Beyond the bell tower is the pagoda's ancestral tomb area. Inside the pagoda, there is also a bronze drum and boats used for traditional rowing competitions. The surroundings of the pagoda include gardens, a lake, and a river.

By combining the essence of traditional Vietnamese architecture with Western architectural elements, Co Le Pagoda has become a famous landmark in the Red River Delta region.

The pagoda hosts an annual festival from the 13th to the 16th day of the 9th lunar month, featuring various traditional cultural rituals, such as Buddha processions, wrestling, chess matches, and especially the traditional rowing competition on the winding river around the pagoda.

Source: https://vi.wikipedia.org/.../Ch%C3%B9a_C%E1%BB%95_L%E1%BB%85
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