Unique pagoda printed on 20,000 banknote, considered a "talisman" of world heritage in Vietnam

Built in the early 17th century with unique architecture, this temple is considered a unique cultural heritage

Covered Bridge, as its name suggests, is a pagoda located on a curved bridge over a creek flowing into the Thu Bon River, connecting Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street and Tran Phu Street.. Covered Bridge is also known as Lai Kieu Vien (Covered Bridge). bridge to welcome guests from far away), or Japanese Bridge, but often called Cau Pagoda. Today, the Covered Bridge has become a symbol of the old town, contributing to making Hoi An worthy of a World Cultural Heritage.
Hoi An Covered Bridge is located in Hoi An ancient town, Quang Nam province, Vietnam, about 30km south of Da Nang city. The pagoda has a history of more than 400 years, and has always been known as a "talisman" for the land and people of Hoi An.

Covered Bridge was recognized as a National Historical-Cultural Monument in 1990; and the image of the Covered Bridge has appeared on Vietnam's current 20,000 VND polymer banknote.
According to Architecture Magazine, Hoi An Covered Bridge Pagoda is not a place to worship Buddha but to worship the guardian god Bac De Tran Vu - an important deity in Taoism, who is revered by people because of his ability to protect them from evil spirits. hazards such as floods and protect the country. People come to the temple to pray and wish for a peaceful, lucky and prosperous life.
Both ends of the Cau Pagoda bridge also have altars for spirit monkeys and tengu, mascots that are considered to protect and protect the pagoda. On full moon occasions, holidays, and Tet, Hoi An people often come to worship the Northern God Tran Vu to offer offerings and pray for protection.

In the 17th century, when arriving in Hoi An, Japanese merchants pooled their money to build a bridge that symbolized the image of a sword piercing the back of the monster Namazu to be able to tame it and keep it safe. for a peaceful life.

Namazu is the Japanese name, according to the Vietnamese concept it is called Cu, and the Chinese call it Cau Long. This is a monster in the shape of a giant catfish. Legend has it that Namazu's head is in Japan, its tail is in India and its back is over the creek in Chua Cau - Hoi An. Every time the animal moves, it causes floods and earthquakes in these places. Namazu has terrible power that only the god of thunder, Kashima, can tame it.

God Kashima overpowered Namazu by sitting on its back, day and night restraining the sea monster. But the god Kashima was also absent-minded, when earthquakes and tsunamis brought disasters to the land of the rising sun. In Hoi An too, sometimes floods come and submerge houses.

When going to Hoi An to do business, the Japanese and Chinese invited a skilled monk to come back to see the land here and decided that the location to build the pagoda must be on the back of the giant catfish to ward off it. Therefore, this pagoda with a history of more than 400 years is also known as a "talisman" for the land and people of Hoi An.
Covered Bridge is 18m long with a roof, with a wooden design, the pagoda structure has the upper part as a house, the lower part as a bridge, and the foundation uses stone pillars. Overall, the temple's architecture is a blend of three cultural streams of Japan, Vietnam and China. Above the entrance to the altar room is a wooden sign with three Chinese characters "Lai Vien Kieu". In Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi, it is recorded that in 1719, on the occasion of visiting Hoi An, Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu gave Cau Pagoda the three words "Lai Vien Kieu", meaning "Bridge to welcome guests from afar". Above the door, under the sign, there are two door eyes, an architectural detail bold with Hoi An's beliefs.

Covered Bridge is designed with 7 compartments, 5 of which are structured in the style of stacking pillars (standing wooden pillars), 2 gable compartments are curved in the shape of a crab shell, and the roof is covered with yin and yang tiles. The decorative details are all exquisitely carved. The roof banks and flowing banks all curve very softly and naturally. In addition, the roof architecture is also inlaid with very unique blue-glazed ceramics.

In Phu Tang culture, number 7 is a lucky number, symbolizing the "7 lucky gods" - gods who are depicted rowing a boat full of treasures and arriving in the new year to share happiness. enough for the people.
Even though it has been eroded over time, this pagoda is still like a peaceful sacred place protecting Hoi An ancient town day and night. After being renovated, hopefully many years from now, Cau Pagoda will always be a place for tourists from all over to visit and worship to pay their respects.