Thay Pagoda is an ancient Buddhist pagoda at the foot of Sai Son mountain in Quoc Oai, about 25 to 30 km west of Hanoi and around 27 km from Duong Lam. It is linked to the monk Tu Dao Hanh, who by legend began water puppetry here, and it faces Long Tri pond, where a small water pavilion stands on a stone platform.
It is quieter than the city pagodas, framed by the steep hill behind it, and takes about an hour to see well. Water puppet shows happen only at the spring festival.
Duong Lam in the morning, Thay Pagoda after lunch
Our full day puts both on one easy route, with lunch in an old house between them.
★Duong Lam & Thay Pagoda Day TourDuong Lam in depth, lunch cooked in an old house, then the pagoda where water puppetry began · About 9 hoursSee the tour →Duong Lam Half-Day Private TourThe laterite lanes, a 400-year-old house and a che lam kitchen, with your own guide · About 5.5 hoursSee the tour →What you see
| Place | What it is |
|---|---|
| Long Tri pond | The pond in front of the pagoda |
| Thuy Dinh | The water pavilion, used as a puppet stage at festival time |
| Nhat Tien and Nguyet Tien bridges | Two roofed bridges crossing the water |
| The main halls | Three levels of halls climbing the slope |
| Sai Son | The limestone hill behind, with caves and a viewpoint |
Tu Dao Hanh and the puppets
Tu Dao Hanh was a monk of the Ly dynasty, remembered as a healer and teacher and, in legend, as the inventor of water puppetry. Water puppets are performed at the Thay Pagoda water pavilion only during the pagoda festival in the third lunar month. On other days you see the pavilion and hear its story, not a show.
Add Thay Pagoda to Duong Lam
Our full day covers both without backtracking.
Duong Lam & Thay Pagoda Day TourAbout 9 hoursSee the tour →Duong Lam Half-Day Private TourAbout 5.5 hoursSee the tour →Visiting
Allow about an hour, more if you climb Sai Son; the path is steep and uneven in places. Dress for a pagoda, covering shoulders and knees. Entry is a small ticket of a few tens of thousands of dong. For the village side of the day, see our Duong Lam visitor guide.
Questions people ask
How far is Thay Pagoda from Hanoi?
About 25 to 30 km west of central Hanoi, roughly an hour by car.
Can I see water puppets at Thay Pagoda?
Only during the pagoda festival in the third lunar month.
How long do I need at Thay Pagoda?
About an hour, longer if you climb Sai Son.
One day, the village and the pagoda
Lunch, guide, car and tickets in one group price, free to cancel until 3 days before.
★Duong Lam & Thay Pagoda Day TourDuong Lam in depth, lunch cooked in an old house, then the pagoda where water puppetry began · About 9 hoursfrom$93/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$275BOOK →2 guests$305BOOK →3 guests$340BOOK →4 guests$370BOOK →See the full tour page →Duong Lam Half-Day Private TourThe laterite lanes, a 400-year-old house and a che lam kitchen, with your own guide · About 5.5 hoursfrom$45/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$165BOOK →2 guests$170BOOK →3 guests$175BOOK →4 guests$180BOOK →See the full tour page →Site details checked in September 2026; entry fees are set by the pagoda and may change.