The Quynh Lam pagoda stand on a hill in the village of Trang An, Dong Trieu district, at the west end of the province. Surrounded by mountains, it faces a great lake. The pagoda was built at the end of 5th century and has been restored many times. During the 11th and 12th centuries Quynh Lam pagoda developed into the main centre of Buddhism for the entire country.
 

In the 14th century it became an even more important Buddhist centre due to the activities of the monk Phap Loa Dong Kim Cuong, a second generation member of the Truc Lam Buddhist sect.

The pagoda was the centre for sacred books and for preaching Buddhism, as well as a training -site for future pagoda wardens. Many associations famous in Vietnamese literature and history were organized here.