Hanoi has the largest number of Buddhist pagodas and temples in Vietnam. 

This and six other new records related to Buddhism and the capital city have been listed in the Vietnam Book of Records (Vietbooks) on the occasion of a celebration last week by Buddhists to mark the 1,000^th anniversary of the city.

The capital, which was recently expanded and now includes Ha Tay province and some districts of Hoa Binh province, has 2,050 pagodas and temples.

Others include the largest bronze Buddha statue – made in 1952 – at Ngu Xa Pagoda, Ba Dinh district and the tower decorated with the most Buddha statues at Bang Pagoda, Hoang Mai district.

The 10-tonne statue is 3.95m high and 3.6m wide, and sits on a 3.9-tonne, 1.45m lotus-shaped Pedestal.

The 54m Bao An Tower in Bang Pagoda has 104 bronze Buddha statues, 40 of them 1.55m tall.

Vietbooks lists Huong Hai Pagoda as Vietnam's first Buddhism institute for nuns while Nguyen Van Yen of Hoai Duc district is credited with making the largest incense roll, one measuring 2.1m in diameter.

Vietbooks has co-operated with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha to create the list.