Tieu Dao Pagoda, located in the Bat Trang area of Hanoi, stands out for its one-of-a-kind architecture made from tens of thousands of ceramic pieces handcrafted by artisans from the famed Bat Trang pottery village. Its distinctive design has made it a magnet for visitors from across the country.

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Tieu Dao is a centuries-old pagoda. Photo: Hieu Nguyen Tran

This ancient pagoda was originally built during the Tran Dynasty in Giang Cao Village, Bat Trang Commune (Gia Lam District, Hanoi). Before 1945, it served as a safe house for revolutionary documents and a transit point for Party officials.

Over time, the pagoda deteriorated. After the 2000s, it underwent restoration, and in 2011, the head monk and local residents decided to rebuild it, merging Bat Trang’s craft heritage with spiritual culture.

Today, masterpieces of Bat Trang ceramics adorn nearly every corner of the pagoda, from its gate and rooftops to altars and decorative pillars. The pagoda’s entrance gate is covered with small, hand-fitted ceramic pieces, topped with unglazed reddish-orange roof tiles.
The pagoda honors the essence of Bat Trang’s ceramic artistry. Photo: Hieu Nguyen Tran - Quynh Mai

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The Om Mani ceramic mural measures around 4 square meters. Photo: Hieu Nguyen Tran
Ceramic details fill the temple interior. Photo: Hieu Nguyen Tran - Quynh Mai

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The unique architecture of Tieu Dao Pagoda attracts many visitors. Photo: Hieu Nguyen Tran

Visitors will see that even the rooftops, couplets, altars, statues, and columns are made from Bat Trang ceramics. Currently, the pagoda houses nearly 80 ceramic statues created by local artisans.

One of the highlights is a 4-square-meter Om Mani mural, crafted entirely from multicolored ceramic shards, located at the entrance to the main Tam Bao (Triple Gem) hall.

Inside the Tam Bao hall are two 2.5-meter-high guardian statues, each cast from a single ceramic block. These rare, one-of-a-kind pieces took artisans a full year to complete.

Unlike other temples where religious motifs and floral reliefs - like lotus, pine, chrysanthemum, bamboo, and apricot blossoms - are typically carved from wood or stone, every decorative element here is rendered in vibrant ceramics.

Nguyen Tran Hieu, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City who visited in February, said: “The temple’s atmosphere was so peaceful that I could hear the breeze rustling through the leaves.”

“All the decorative details, from large to small, are handcrafted from ceramic - intricate, elegant, and rich in artistic value. I even touched the relief patterns and felt the depth and precision of each sculpted line,” he added.

Many visitors wear traditional attire for photo shoots at the pagoda. Photo: Nam Nguyen


To him, photos simply cannot capture the full charm and craftsmanship of the ceramic art at Tieu Dao. “Only by being there in person can one truly appreciate the beauty of these works,” he said.

The pagoda sits in an open, breezy space. Its courtyard and garden are thoughtfully designed and well maintained.

Nam Nguyen, a freelance photographer based in Hanoi, considers Tieu Dao an ideal setting for shoots featuring traditional or artistic themes.

“The pagoda’s earthy tones - deep brown, gold, brick red - are perfect for vintage-style photos or those featuring traditional Vietnamese attire like ao dai, tu than, or khan mo qua,” he shared.

“Natural light filters through the trees and reflects off the old ceramic walls, adding a magical touch. Plus, the pagoda is not far from Hanoi’s center, making it easy to combine with a visit to Bat Trang pottery village.”

Linh Trang