Co Le – cathedral-styled pagoda

      From Nam Dinh City, 15 km past Treo pagoda, is Co Le town. This quiet town is home to a special pagoda of the same name. This is one of biggest and nicest pagodas in the north. Besides its’ special architecture, Co Le pagoda has the largest bell in Vietnam.
The original wood Co Le pagoda was built in the 12th century by Zen monk Minh Khong. The current pagoda was built in 1920 by bricks and mortar made of lime, molasses, and giay ban (one kind of paper).
Co Le pagoda is a complex of architectural works, featuring typical architecture of northern pagodas, with tam quan (three-door temple gate), tower, major pagoda, club-house, ancestor’s house, and sanctuary.
The pagoda is surrounded by a lot of trees. Besides two sanctuaries are two ancient gao trees, which blossom red flowers in March.
Co Le pagoda’s pride is a 4.2m high, 9 ton bell, which was cast in 1936. Its uniqueness is the central chamber with gothic architecture. The chamber looks like a catholic cathedral.
The pagoda has a 12-storey tower named Cuu Pham Lien Hoa, which lies on a big turtle. The tower is 32m in height, with eight sides, and 62 stairs to the peak.
The tower is linked with the Buddist club house by a small bridge. On the left of the club house is Tran Hung Dao temple. Next to it is Lieu Hanh Temple.
Co Le pagoda festival takes place from the 13th-16th of the ninth lunar month. The festival is very bustling with folk games, particularly a boat race. This festival is the most famous festival in the north.