The Cau Dong Pagoda on Hang Duong Street in Dong Xuan Ward, Hoan Kiem District of Hanoi is the only place in the city paying homage to Grand Chancellor Tran Thu Do, founder of the Tran Dynasty (1225 to 1400).nbsp;

In the old days, Cau Dong Pagoda, also known as Dong Mon (Eastern gate) Pagoda, belonged to Hau Tuc Canton, Tho Xuong District. Legend has it that the Pagoda was built during the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225) and was restored several times. During that time in this area there was a stone bridge, named Dong Bridge, crossing over the To Lich River and “Cua Dong” (the eastern gate of Thang Long Citadel), so the locals named the pagoda “Cau Dong” (Eastern Bridge) to distinguish it from other pagodas. The Pagoda still retains many ancient steles including one erected in the 6^th Vinh To Year (1624) with inscriptions about the purchase of land and the expansion of the precinct and the pagoda.

Compared with other ancient pagodas in Hanoi, Cau Dong Pagoda is known for preserving nearly 60 valuable ancient statues of Buddha. The most important antiques of the Pagoda are the statues of present, past and future, all of which were carved in the first half of the 18^th century. These are rare, precious and beautiful statues with high artistic value, which are shown with ornamental items, such as the necklaces and female facial features with all standards of statues in the 17^th – 18^th centuries in Vietnam. In the great shrine dedicated to the kings of hell there is a Tuyet Son statue with beautiful carvings which is also a rare and precious statue.

Inside Cau Dong Pagoda there is an altar and statues of Grand Chancellor Tran Thu Do and his wife, Tran Thi Dung. Tran Thu Do was a prominent politician who was credited with founding and strengthening the Tran Royal Dynasty. In 1258 when the Yuan Meng invaded the country of Dai Viet for the first time, although being over 60 years old, he bravely said to King Tran Thai Tong: “My head has not yet fallen. Don’t be worried, Your Majesty!” Only 10 days later, the army and people of the Tran Dynasty made a counter-attack and defeated the Meng invaders. During the first resistance war against the Yuan Meng invaders, Tran Thi Dung was also credited with leading the royal family to leave the imperial city of Thang Long, later organized the people to collect metal and iron and encouraged the workers to cast weapons to supply the Tran troops. She also managed the supplying of food and foodstuff to the soldiers. For her work and devotion she was awarded the title “Linh Tu Quoc Mau” (Kind-hearted mother of the country) by the Tran King.

Moved and inspired by the merits and activities of Grand Chancellor Tran Thu Do and his wife, Tran Thi Dung, the local people around Cua Dong Pagoda erected their statues and worship them, creating a unique feature of this ancient pagoda in the heart of Thang Long – Hanoi.