Tuong Long Tower (Tháp Tường Long) is a hilltop Buddhist and archaeological site in Do Son, Hai Phong. Visit for the Ly-dynasty history, the excavated remains of the original tower, the modern nine-story reconstruction and wide views over the Do Son coast.
The most important distinction is that the tall structure visible today is not the surviving 11th-century tower. The original monument was dismantled in the early 19th century; its excavated foundations and objects form the authentic archaeological part of the site.
Tuong Long Tower visitor essentials
- Location: hilltop complex in Do Son Ward, Hai Phong, Vietnam
- Map search: use “Chùa Tháp Tường Long” or “Tháp Tường Long” because older listings may still show Ngoc Xuyen Ward or Do Son District
- Distance: roughly 23 km from central Hai Phong
- Setting: a summit just over 90 meters above sea level
- Time to allow: 1–2 hours for the tower, archaeological display, pagoda grounds and viewpoint
- Best conditions: a clear, dry weekday in daylight; the summit is exposed in rain, wind and thunderstorms
- Visit timing: plan to arrive in daylight; no fixed clock hours are currently published, so confirm same-day access if your schedule is tight
- Admission: currently free; donations at the religious complex are voluntary, but follow any updated notice posted at the site
What you can see at the complex
The reconstructed nine-story tower
The present square tower rises about 37 meters and uses brick, stone and decorative motifs associated with Ly-dynasty art. Look for lotus, chrysanthemum and small floral patterns on the exterior. Inside is an Amitabha Buddha image modeled on the celebrated Ly-period statue at Phat Tich Pagoda in Bac Ninh.
This reconstruction helps visitors visualize the scale and religious role of the former tower, but it should be read as an interpretation rather than an intact medieval building. The project began in June 2008 and the reconstructed tower was inaugurated in November 2017.
The original foundation and archaeological display
The archaeological area beside the tower is essential if you want to understand what survives from the Ly period. The 1978 excavation revealed a hollow square foundation built in three stepped levels; the 1998 excavation exposed a second, broadly similar foundation. Finds include construction bricks, roof tiles, stone elements associated with an Amitabha image and terracotta architectural decoration.
Some bricks carry a Chinese inscription identifying the third Ly emperor and the fourth year of the Long Thuy Thai Binh era. Decorative fragments include dragons, lotus forms, mythical birds and other motifs characteristic of 11th-century Buddhist art. Part of the collection is displayed at the site, while other finds are held by Hai Phong Museum.
The pagoda, bell and memorial temple
Tuong Long is a working Buddhist complex as well as a heritage attraction. The pagoda buildings contain worship spaces and bronze images. A one-ton bell made for the complex was modeled on the medieval Van Ban Pagoda bell found off Do Son; the original Van Ban bell is preserved by the Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi.
The wider grounds now also include Quoc To Vong Tu, a memorial temple dedicated to Vietnamese national heroes. This addition was inaugurated in February 2026, so it may not appear in older descriptions of the site.
Views across Do Son
The elevated setting gives open views across the Do Son peninsula, the sea and inland fields. Haze can limit visibility, so a clear morning or late afternoon usually suits photography better than the middle of a hot, humid day. Do not rely on photographs of the illuminated tower as proof of general evening access.
History of Tuong Long Tower
Construction is generally dated to 1057–1058, during the reign of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Bricks were made in 1057, while the chronicle Dai Viet Su Luoc records the king visiting the tower site in 1058. The name Tuong Long, commonly understood as “auspicious dragon,” was bestowed in 1059 after a golden-dragon omen associated with the royal court. Later retellings describe the omen as the emperor’s dream.
The monument was primarily a Buddhist tower from a period when Buddhism held a central place in Ly court culture. Heritage records also identify the wider complex as a royal stopping place during journeys through the region. Its position above the northeastern coast offered far-reaching visibility, but the popular description of the tower as a coastal observation and signal point is less firmly established.
A later historical description calls the former tower a nine-story structure measuring 100 traditional thước, often converted to about 45 meters. Only foundations and fragments survive, so its original height, number of stories and roof form remain uncertain. The often-repeated 45-meter figure is a historical description, not a measurement from the surviving structure.
The tower was repaired under later dynasties and suffered repeated damage. In the early 19th century, during the reign of Emperor Gia Long, much of it was dismantled and material was reused for construction at the Hai Duong citadel. Archaeological work in 1978 and 1998 later exposed two broadly similar foundations and recovered objects that established the site’s Ly-dynasty character. The archaeological ruins were designated a national archaeological monument in 2005.
How to plan your visit
Getting to the summit
The complex is outside central Hai Phong, so a taxi, private car or motorbike is the simplest option. The approach road was widened in early 2025, allowing cars traveling in opposite directions to pass more easily. Park in the designated area and continue toward the hilltop complex. Use the Vietnamese map name rather than relying only on the English spelling.
Expect a sloping approach and steps around parts of the tower and temple complex. Visitors who need step-free access should check the current arrangements before traveling. Do not assume that all nine levels of the reconstructed tower are open for climbing; follow the barriers and instructions in place during your visit.
Choose a quieter time
The complex is usually busier during the Lunar New Year period and on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, when worshippers visit temples to pray. A normal weekday is a better choice for a quieter look at the archaeological display. Annual ceremonies and local cultural events can also change traffic or access around the summit.
Dress and behave respectfully
- Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
- Keep your voice low in worship areas and silence your phone.
- Remove footwear where signs or local practice require it.
- Do not touch altars, statues or archaeological objects.
- Ask before photographing worshippers or a ceremony.
Combine Tuong Long Tower with Do Son
Tuong Long Tower works well as one stop in a Do Son itinerary rather than as a full-day attraction by itself. Hang Pagoda, Ba De Temple, the K15 historical site and the Do Son waterfront can fill the rest of a half-day or day, depending on your starting point and the time available.
If you want transport and an English-speaking guide from a hotel in Hai Phong, the private Hai Phong City Tour includes Tuong Long Tower among its Do Son stops. Check the live itinerary before booking because the duration, stop order and operating arrangements can change.
Is Tuong Long Tower worth visiting?
Tuong Long is most rewarding for travelers interested in Vietnamese history, Buddhist architecture or coastal viewpoints. Give priority to the archaeological display, because it explains the difference between the Ly-dynasty monument and the modern reconstruction. Confirm same-day access if your schedule is tight, choose clear weather and allow 1–2 hours for an unhurried visit.