Vietnam’s second oldest pagoda, Tay Phuong Pagoda, has been assigned as a national tourist attraction and restoration plans have been ordered for the eighth century site.
Located north-west of Hanoi, the pagoda site also houses a collection of ancient Vietnamese Buddhist sculptures. Of the 64 statues, 18 Arhats date back nearly 300 years.
In a Viet Nam News report, Can Viet Hung, deputy director of Thach That District Cultural Information and Sports Centre, said the city’s Department of Culture and Sports will work with the locality to propose a restoration plan to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The project will attract an estimated budget of VND150 billion (US$6.4 million), and comprise repairs to the pagoda and conservation of its ancient features. Once approved, work is expected to begin next year.
