Featured Hotels Near Chùa Thanh Sam

The Light Hotel Hanoi is a top choice, located just a 5-minute walk from Thanh Sam Pagoda. This boutique hotel blends traditional Vietnamese architecture with modern elegance, offering rooms with serene courtyard views. Free bicycle rentals allow guests to explore the scenic Red River Trail nearby.

Another excellent option is La Siesta Hanoi Boutique Hotel, only 300 meters from the pagoda, featuring bamboo roofs and water feature courtyards that create a tranquil atmosphere. The hotel offers private guided tours to view rare 19th-century Buddhist statues and manuscripts housed within the temple. Both properties provide complimentary shuttle service to downtown Hanoi, ensuring convenient access to major attractions.

Transportation to Thanh Sam Pagoda is very convenient. From downtown Hanoi, take a motorbike taxi (xe máy) or use the Grab app—the ride takes about 15 minutes. For public transit, bus lines 17 or 18 stop directly at the "Thanh Sam Pagoda" station, just a 2-minute walk away.

Bike-sharing stations are also available nearby, ideal for leisurely rides along the Red River embankment. On weekends, local craft markets pop up around the site, offering authentic street food like pho and handmade teas—perfect for cultural immersion.

Visitors can participate in several unique cultural activities at Thanh Sam Pagoda. Join the daily morning meditation sessions led by monks, offering insight into Vietnamese Buddhist mindfulness practices—free and open to all.

The temple hosts a traditional paper umbrella workshop, where guests craft their own symbolic umbrellas representing peace and protection. Additionally, quarterly chanting concerts feature monks performing ancient sutras in melodic tones, creating a deeply moving experience. During festivals, guests may join the lantern-floating ceremony, releasing hand-written wish lanterns onto the Red River—a powerful symbol of hope and spiritual connection.

Near Thanh Sam Pagoda, locals love several hidden culinary gems. Try Phở Gia Truyền, tucked in a back alley, known for its century-old beef broth recipe—rich, aromatic, and perfectly balanced with fresh beef slices and mint.

Another must-visit is Bánh Tráng Nướng Quán Cóc, a charcoal-grilled rice cracker stall serving crispy, savory snacks filled with shrimp, bean sprouts, and cilantro—delicious and uniquely local. Don’t miss Chè Tứ Quý, a street vendor offering four seasonal sweet soups like lotus root and mung bean soup, and mango sticky rice—refreshing and perfect after a temple visit.