Top Famous Pagodas In Ho Chi Minh City
- Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
Vinh Nghiem is one of the biggest Mahayana Buddhist pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City. This pagoda was constructed in 1964 by Thich Tam Giac and Thich Thanh Kiem who came from the North to Ho Chi Minh City to spread Buddhism. Vinh Nghiem pagoda is designed by Nguyen Ba Lang, a famous architect, based on the model of the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in Bac Gian province.
In 1971, Vinh Nghiem pagoda was completed in 1971 with a Devotee Relic four-level Tower (25 meter). Thanks to being a quite recent symbol, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda inherits both a modern touch of Japanese architectural style and inspiration from traditional Vietnamese structure, which makes its beauty strong, stable and also majestic. Vinh Nghiem was the first pagoda in Vietnam with Vietnamese traditional architectural style but built with concrete. Therefore, the pagoda is the symbol for the peaceful combination of modern and ancient elements.
It’s home to a vast sanctum where followers pay their respects, make offerings and pray for blessings every month and a seven-floor, 40m high tower called Kwan-Yin, which was built with the assistance of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association. This architecture is the biggest one among Vietnam Buddhist Association.
In the Lunar New Year occasion, there are many people visit to pray for luck, happiness and safe to themselves and their families. Also, travelers coming at these times may observe traditional activities of Buddhist such as giving away lucky-money as good buds for the start of a new year. However, for travelers who want to enjoy inner peace of a Buddhist pagoda, try to stay away from these occasions, normal days are better and more peaceful.
Address of Vinh Nghiem: 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
Jade Emperor Pagoda was built in 1909 in honor of the Taoist god. This is one of the most spectacularly atmospheric temples in Ho Chi Minh City, stuffed with statues of phantasmal divinities and heroes. The pungent smoke of incense fills the air, obscuring the exquisite woodcarvings. Its roof is encrusted with elaborate tile work, and the temple’s statues, depicting characters from both Buddhist and Taoist lore, are made from reinforced peppier macho.
Inside the main building are two especially figures. On the right is a 4m-high statue of the general who defeated the Green Dragon which depicted underfoot. On the left is the general who beat the White Tiger, which is also being stepped on. Worshippers mass before the Jade Emperor, who draped in luxurious robes and shrouded in a dense fug of incense smoke. He is flanked by his guardians who are the Four Big Diamonds, named because they are said to be as hard as diamonds.
Out the door on the left hand side of the Jade Emperor is another room. The semi-enclosed area to the right is presided over by Thanh Hoang, the Chief of Hell; to the left is his red horse. Other figures here represent the gods who set up punishments for evil acts and rewards for good deeds. The room also contains the famous ten level Hells, carved wooden panels illustrating the varied torments awaiting evil people in each of the Ten Regions of Hell.
On the other side of the wall is a fascinating room in which there are 12 women, overrun with children and wearing colorful clothes. Each of the women symbolize a human characteristic, either good or bad. Controlling over the room is Kim Hoa Thanh Mau. Upstairs is Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy, opposite a portrait of Dat Ma, the Indian founder of Zen Buddhism.
Outside the Jade Emperor Pagoda is a small pond seethes with turtles, some of which have shells marked with auspicious inscriptions.
Address of Jade Emperor: 73 Mai Thi Luu, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Nam Thien Nhat Tru Pagoda
Nam Thien Nhat Tru Pagoda is known as One Pillar Pagoda Ho Chi Minh City. The pagoda started construction on 8 April 1958 by Monk Thich Tri Dung with the support of Do Thi Vinh, a Buddhist. With unique structural style under the drawings of architect Nguyen Gia Duc, Nam Thien Nhat Tru Pagoda was completed in 1977. It was imitated the architecture and design of Dien Huu Pagoda in Hanoi. The pagoda has been becoming one of the famous pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City and attracting the great number of both Buddhists and tourists to worship and pray for peace.
The Nam Thien Nhat Tru Pagoda is strongly inspired with the ancient architecture of pagodas in the North from the layout of worshiping to sophisticated patterns as well as cross, truss and roof tiles. The pillar of the pagoda is solidly cast with reinforced concrete.
Looking from the entrance gate, Nam Thien Nhat Tru Pagoda is situated right in the middle of Long Nhan Lake with blue water all year round. The lake is home to both carps and turtles. The lake is the pink lotus buds covering an area of over 600m2 lake water surface. The pagoda is suited on a pillar about 12 meters high with the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara inside bringing the tranquil and calm atmosphere to the pagoda.
On the lake, Nam Thien Nhat Tru brings the rising lotus shape with subtle decorative motifs. More specifically, when stepping into the pagoda, admiring the majestic beauty and immersing in the green tranquil landscapes here, tourists surely feel like to forget the chaos of the modern life. Exploring Nam Thien Nhat Tru Pagoda is definitely one of the most impressive things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.
Behind Nam Thien Nhat Tru Pagoda is a place which solemnly decorated with the texture of 3 compartments including Shakyamuni Buddha in the middle, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in both sides.
In particular, setting foot on the pagoda, tourists will have a chance to admire the statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva casted from 61kg of precious metals, the huge statue of Buddha Amitabha and the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha meditating under the Bodhi tree. Depending on its unique beauty, Nam Thien Nhat Tru Pagoda annually welcomes millions of tourists and Buddhist devotees to go sightseeing and worship, which becomes one of the fascinating tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.
Address of Nam Thien Nhat Tru: 100 Dang Van Bi Street, Binh Tho Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Buu Long Pagoda
Buu Long Pagoda in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City is frequented by tourists because of its unique architecture with a mixed architecture of India, and Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The pagoda was built in 1942 on a hill near the Dong Nai River.
Buu Long Pagoda is one of the best travel destination in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s just take 20 kilometers from downtown Ho Chi Minh City to here, travelers can feel comfortable as soon as they get to the road leading to pagoda which is like an ancient world as it features small and big buildings for worshiping the Buddha that look like palaces in India, Thailand or Myanmar.
When people walk up the stairs from the parking lot, the impressive pagoda will slowly come into view. Decorated in gold like the temples travelers see in Thailand, it’s the largest of its kind in Vietnam, has three floors and can house up to 2,000 people.
In front of the pagoda is a circular lake, and on the left is a small forest where people see a finely carved reclining Buddha. If tourists climb to the top of the Pagoda they will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Dong Nai River and the surrounding country side. Not many people find their way here. In fact, during my Sunday visit it was not crowded at all Due to the lack of crowds, visitors will find numerous paths and places with peace and quiet.
In addition, the pagoda makes everyone impressed in the first time because of its beauty. There is a popular restaurant inside where tourists is served drinks and vegetarian food such as Bun Bo Hue.
Address of Buu Long: 81 Nguyen Xien, Long Binh Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.