 | Ho Chi Minh City Temples Reviews | 1 - 10 of 39 |  |
Now after we visited the post office, my husband's French colleague wanted to visit this ancient temple some 6km out of District One. When we asked what the name of place was, he muttered something in French that roughly translates to "Pagoda of the Jade Emperor ". Well, he got the name alright, though I doubt they would have printed the name in French on the temple.
Jade Pagoda turned out to be a lovely and quiet place of worship. The temple was filled with elaborate wooden carvings on tablets and towering papier-mache statues. The carvings were interesting and they depicted the 10 levels of hell and the equivilent of 'judgement' day' in Chinese mythology. Leave a Comment Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu St,District 3Directions: I suggest taking a cab.
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Built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century. Apparently one of the most active in Cholon, it's deidicated to Thien Hau (also known as Tuc Goi La Ba).
It is said that Thien Hau has the ability to travel over oceans on a mat and ride clouds. Thus she is able to save people on the high seas.
The 2 land turtles that live here are said to be the protectors of the pagoda.
There are intricate ceramic friezes above the roof line of the inner courtyard. Two miniature wooden structures in which a small figure of Thien Hau is paraeded on the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month are located near the large braziers.
On the main dais are 3 figures of Thien Hau, one in front of each other, each flanked by 2 servants or guardians.
To the left of the dias is a bed for Thien Hau, to the right, a scaled down boat and the Goddess Long Mau (Protector of Mothers & Newborns). Leave a Comment Address: 710 Nguyen TraiDirections: open 0600-1730 daily
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There are plenty of Chinese temples in Cholon, HCMC's very own Chinatown. Here, you are bombarded by a galaxy of Chinese temples big and small. Take a cyclo and you'll be gently surprise how many Cyclo drivers have Cholon and its temples on their itinerary. As a Chinese myself, I am not that interested to be seeing more temples, though I did drop by a couple. The major ones in Cholon are: Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda (for the Chinese God "Guan Gong"), Thien Hau Pagoda (for the Chinese Goddess "Tian Hou") and Quan Am Pagoda (for the Budhhist Bodhisattva of "Guan Yin"). Leave a Comment
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This temple was built in the early nineteenth century to honour, Thien Hau, the goddess of the sea and protector of sailors and fishermen. It is one of the largest and most popular temples in Saigon and is bustling with worshippers from the local Chinese community, placing burning joss sticks in the giant incense urns. There are also huge incense coils suspended from the ceiling. Leave a Comment Address: 710 Nguyen TraiDirections: On Nguyen Trai, near the Phoenix Hotel, in Cholon
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Saigon has many Buddhist temples. These aren't just tourist attractions; the locals actively worship there weekly and on holidays. Buddhist temples are remarkable for their openness; anyone can enter as long as you observe the customs, such as taking off your shoes at the door and refraining from taking flash pictures during ceremonies! There are donation boxes for the faithful, which you may or may not contribute to. Many temples are several stories high, reaching toward the heavens. Leave a Comment
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The Xa Loi Pagoda is the largest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. It was built in 1956 to enshrine a sample of the relics of Gautama Buddha. The pagoda was also the headquarters of the Vietnamese Buddhist Association until 1981.
During the dictatorship of President Ngo Dinh Diem (early 1960s) thousands of Buddhist monks were sent to jail and pagodas were closed, and the Xa Loi Pagoda became a centre of resistance against the Diem government. In August 1963 the pagoda was raided and vandalized by the army and many monks and nuns were arrested. President Diem was killed 3 months later.
The pagoda has a very colourful seven stories bell tower and there is also a Buddhist book publishing centre in the grounds. The bell tower was opened in 1961 and stands 32meters, which makes it the highest bell tower in Vietnam. Address: 89 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, District 3, HCMC
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The Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple is located at Truong Dinh Street - close to the Ben Thanh Market.
The entrance to the temple is decorated with a very colourful gopuram (beautiful tower), and this part of the temple is the most interesting. I was not impressed by the inner sanctuary, but you’ll find a courtyard with the gods of Mariamman, Maduraiveeran, Pechiamman and a few more.
Outside the temple where are vendors selling oil, incense, candles, flowers etc. When you enter the temple they will handle out incense sticks and candles for offering to the gods – and then demand a ridiculous amount of money when you leave the temple (read my warning tips).
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At some walking distance from the city hall area (Walking distance, as I am not afraid to walk 2 km) is one of the most famous pagodas of Saigon, Chua Phuoc Hai Tu, renowned for its impressive statues of Taoist deities inside.
This Pagoda, also known as the “Pagoda of Turtles” has been built in 1909 by Cantonese religious is hidden in a small street, between high buildings and may soon “disappear” in the city jungle, as another high rise building is just now growing on its back.
When you enter passing under a red porch, a huge banyan tree greets you, before you pass by a small shrine with a golden Buddha dominating a safe (picture 2), reminding you that, if entrance is free, you can donate. . . . There are other safes a bit everywhere in the building. . . . .
The Pagoda still tries to be worthy its name of “Pagoda of Turtles” as there is a pond where a few of these animals are swimming and are also an attraction for locals. . . (picture 3). Before entering we can have a look at the beautiful tiles covering the pagoda, and at some of the ceramics which decorate the yard in front. A pity the building at the back spoils the tile work on the gable above the main entrance (picture 4); in the yard are some (? Lions?) watching the visitors near the entrance to the pagoda (Picture 5).
And the Jade Emperor? Here he is (main picture), but we will get closer in the next tip!
Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu StDirections: Northern end of district 1, near Dien Bien Phu street.
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I asked the bike-taxi to drive me to the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, but after turning around in small streets, and asking to people, we finally arrived at a pagoda, but it was not the one I intended to visit!
This pagoda is located near the crossing of Nguyen Dinh Chieu street and Duong Cach Mang Thang Tham Avenue, in the third district.
Even you do not know, it is always interesting to have a look; this pagoda, too has a seven storey bell tower (first picture), but interesting here are some deities in the main hall, like the gold covered “little Buddha” raising his finger (picture 2) under the sight of the “Great Buddha”. On picture three is an altar, with the two cranes on each side, typically, and on the right of the picture is a feminine deity. I like a lot the jumping dragon of picture 4); look at the fishes displayed as a frieze beneath.
An interesting item of this pagoda is certainly this bell (picture 5), which looks like an antique; people I spoke with may have told me about this bell, but I did not understand a single word of their story. . . . The good side of diving in the totally unknown during travels, just being lost, in all terms of the word, and a bit a bad side, not being able to understand what people tell sometimes. . . .
There is a nice garden in frnt of the Pagoda, with lots of statues of deities, warriors, in a bit kitsch modern style, and there are benches if you walked since some time before reaching the pagoda.
Directions: This pagoda is located near the crossing of Nguyen Dinh Chieu street and Duong Cach Mang Thang Tham Avenue, in the third district.
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The Jade Emperor is the main Taoist deity, and on the main picture of the previous tip you could see lots of other deities aligned in two rows nearby; I know only few of the Catholic saints wonderfully displayed in the European churches, so, I am not at all able to tell a lot about all the characters displayed here. . . I just can say that in the main “chapel”, where the air is thick of incense smoke, the statues, in dim light are really impressive; I do not know the warriors, of the main picture , and when you pass by this 3 m high guy (picture 2), you feel humble. . . . Is this Dia Tang Vuong Bo Tat, the king of the Hell? Or is it this one (picture 3)? In this pagoda is also Phat Mau Chuan De, the multi armed goddess who gave birth to the five Buddhas, many famous heroes, you may spend hours looking at each individually! Some like this one (picture 4) look much more peaceful. I liked to look at all these statues, but also liked to see the local worshippers, coming to pray, make offerings, burning incense. . . . (picture 5). Ah let’s go on the roof terrace! … . . next tip.
Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu StDirections: Northern end of district 1, near Dien Bien Phu street.
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