Bao Thien Stupa at Bai Dinh Pagoda: The Tallest Tower and the Enshrined Place of Buddha's Relics

Bai Dinh Pagoda is located in Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province, about 15km from the center of Ninh Binh City and nearly 100km from Hanoi. This complex consists of the ancient Bai Dinh Pagoda and a large-scale new pagoda area, considered one of the largest Buddhist centers in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Prominent in the complex is Bao Thien Stupa – a structure located in the western area of the new pagoda section, right in front of the International Convention Center. The stupa was built according to Mahayana Buddhist architecture, harmoniously combining the Ly Dynasty style of Vietnam with influences from Indian and Asian Buddhist architecture.

The base of the tower has a solid hexagonal shape with a circumference of about 24–30m, faced with Bat Trang fired bricks and decorated with intricate patterns of clouds, water waves, and lotus petals. The structure stands about 100m tall with 13 stories, housing an internal staircase system and a modern elevator to serve visitors. Surrounding the tower are thousands of small stone Buddha statues, contributing to a solemn and sacred atmosphere amidst the vast Bai Dinh Pagoda complex. Not only carrying deep spiritual meaning, Bao Thien Stupa is also a special architectural highlight, attracting a large number of tourists and Buddhists visiting Ninh Binh.

Bao Thien Stupa is part of the new Bai Dinh Pagoda construction project initiated in the early 2000s, designed by Architect Hoang Dao Kinh. The completed structure became an important highlight, contributing to making Bai Dinh Pagoda a major Buddhist center of the nation. The greatest significance of the stupa lies in preserving the Buddha's Relics – the sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha. In 2008, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha organized a grand ceremony to welcome and enshrine the Pearl Relics from India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka... on the highest floor (the 13th floor) of the tower.

According to Buddhist tradition, after the Buddha entered Parinirvana and was cremated, transparent, multi-colored glowing crystals appeared in the remaining ashes, known as Relics (Sarira). These are considered symbols of enlightened wisdom, helping devotees focus their minds on cultivating morality and praying for peace. The stupa is not only a place of worship, but also a symbol connecting Vietnamese Buddhism with global Buddhism, contributing to preserving and promoting national spiritual cultural values.

Stepping inside the Stupa, visitors will find themselves in a splendid space filled with the golden hues of Buddhism and imbued with stories of the Buddha's life.

• Solemn first floor: Right in the center of the first floor is a brilliant gold-gilded bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, placed on a blue stone altar intricately carved with dragons, lotus flowers, and sacred mythical creatures. The six surrounding walls feature relief carvings that realistically depict the life of the Buddha, from his birth to his attainment of enlightenment.
• The path to the Buddha realm: Visitors can choose to take the elevator to the top floor or experience a pilgrimage journey via the 72-step staircase, viewing sharp, elaborate stone bas-reliefs reproducing key milestones in the Buddha's life.
• Mystical Indian design: The ceiling of the Stupa is designed in a mystical Indian style, featuring carved images of the Buddha, lotus pedestals, and Lac birds mounted on wooden panels, enhancing its grand dignity and sacredness.

A visit to Bao Thien Stupa is not only an architectural discovery but also a special spiritual experience for visitors to Bai Dinh Pagoda. To reach the top floor of the tower, visitors can choose to climb the internal staircase system or use the modern elevator for convenient movement. Along the journey, the relief carvings, Buddha statues, and serene environment help visitors clearly feel the peace and solemnity of the Buddhist sanctuary.

On the 13th floor, visitors have the opportunity to venerate the Buddha's Relics and enjoy panoramic views of the Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, the lake, and the signature limestone mountains of Ninh Binh. The vast and tranquil landscape brings a sense of relaxation and ease to many pilgrims.

When visiting, tourists should dress respectfully, maintain a polite attitude, and observe the regulations in the Buddha's Relic worship area. Beyond Bao Thien Stupa, the itinerary can easily combine visits to other prominent structures such as the Tam The Hall, Phap Chu Hall, Maitreya Buddha Statue, or the Bell Tower. With its distinct spiritual and architectural values, Bao Thien Stupa is an unmissable stop on the journey to explore Bai Dinh Pagoda.

It can be said that the Relic Stupa is a vibrant symbol for inheriting and promoting the nation's thousand-year Buddhist values, contributing to making Ninh Binh a major Buddhist Center of the country. This place is not only a destination for pilgrimage, but also a sanctuary for everyone to find inner peace and liberation, exploring the profound concepts of Buddhism when joining a Bai Dinh Pagoda tour – a place to admire the majestic beauty of nature blended with ideas of compassion and wisdom.