Phat Quang Zen Monastery: Early Spring Destination

Phat Quang Thien Tu (commonly known as Bed Pagoda), Vu Phuc commune (Thai Binh city) was restored in 2024, becoming a spiritual destination attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists to visit and sightsee in early spring.

The Bed Pagoda has a combination of Vietnamese and Japanese architecture. The open meditation space takes advantage of natural light and feng shui elements to create relaxation. The space in the pagoda is always quiet and peaceful with the echoing sound of temple bells, creating a sacred atmosphere, helping visitors find peace of mind. Inside the pagoda, the majestic Amitabha Buddha statue, along with murals depicting Buddhist stories, make the space more profound and imbued with Buddhist beliefs.

Venerable Thich Thien An, abbot of the Bed Pagoda, said: The pagoda gate was built in the style of "Torii" - a Japanese pagoda gate, creating an impression right from the moment you set foot in the pagoda. The main hall of the pagoda is designed with sophisticated lines, bearing the elegance of Japanese architecture, combined with the traditional curved roof of Vietnamese pagodas. Buddhists can come to practice in the meditation garden with many cool green trees, rocks, and sand, creating a space of meditation and peace. The pagoda is in the process of restoring many Buddha statues with the desire to create a sacred space for Buddhists to come and worship.

Mr. Hoang Dinh Doan, Secretary of the Party Cell of Cu Phu village, Vu Phuc commune, said: Phat Quang Thien Tu has a history of more than 400 years, the ancient pagoda was built during the Tran Dynasty. On February 2, 2024, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 141/QD-UBND on land allocation to Bed Pagoda in Vu Phuc commune for restoration and reconstruction with a total area of ^7,975.3m2 . The restoration of Phat Quang Thien Tu received high consensus from the people in the commune. Since the pagoda was restored, the people have been very excited, considering it a place for spiritual and cultural activities.

Mr. Hoang Van Dinh, Cu Phu village shared: We are very excited when the Bed Pagoda is restored. The villagers join hands to contribute, determined to build a spacious pagoda so that visitors from all over have a place to worship and visit. After the Lunar New Year At Ty 2025, the people assigned each other to build, each person has a job, determined to restore the most beautiful pagoda. Households with fields around the pagoda also told each other to clean up the surrounding environment, buy flowers and small ornamental plants to plant in the pagoda grounds, so the appearance of the pagoda, although still under construction, is very beautiful and attracts many visitors from many places to visit the pagoda.

Also expressing her joy when the Bed Pagoda was restored, Ms. Tong Thi Hoa, Cu Phu village said: Since the pagoda was inaugurated, I have often come here to clean and maintain hygiene so that the pagoda is always clean and attracts tourists.

Ms. Vu Thi Minh Nguyet, Thai Binh city shared: I saw many young people on the internet who travel a lot, so I decided to visit. The temple space is very beautiful, with a new style, the temple is located in the middle of a peaceful countryside scene, helping my soul feel relaxed and light.

Ms. Ha Thi Thu Phuong, Ha Nam province said: My family often goes to the pagoda at the beginning of the year. Through social networks, I learned about the beautiful Bed Pagoda and arranged my work for my family to visit and sightsee at the pagoda on the weekend.

Tourists come to visit and worship Buddha at Bed Pagoda in early spring.

Since the beginning of the year, the number of visitors to the Bed Pagoda has increased, with some days the pagoda welcomes 15-20 groups with more than 200 visitors from inside and outside the province to visit, worship Buddha and take souvenir photos. To ensure security and order during the holidays, the local Party Committee, government, departments, branches and organizations of Vu Phuc commune have paid attention to directing the work of ensuring security and order, regularly arranging security forces at the grassroots level to ensure the safety of visitors during the spring festival.

Mr. Hoang Van Duc, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Vu Phuc commune, said: The restoration and preservation of the Bed Pagoda not only demonstrates respect for the historical and cultural values of the locality but also affirms the solidarity of the people of Cu Phu village in preserving heritage, contributing to promoting tourism development in Vu Phuc commune in particular and Thai Binh city in general.