Temples and Pagodas in Vietnam

Mariamman Hindu Temple is a small slice of South Indian tradition located in Ho Chi Minh, dedicated to Hindu goddess Mariamman. The temple features colouful carvings of Parvati, Ganesh, Vishnu and Brahma. The 12-m tall Rajagopuram houses the main statue of Mariammen flanked by her two protectors.

The Po Nagar Cham Towers are an ancient Hindu temple complex located on the grounds of Mount Cu Lau. The Po Nagar Cham Towers is one of the oldest monumental structures of Vietnam. This structure is considered to be built in between 8th to 11th century by the people of Cham Empire who were Hindus by religion.

My Son holds the ruins of the most important religious centre of the Cham kingdom, brick towers raised between the 4th and 13th centuries and left to the jungle until French archaeologists cleared them in the 1890s. Several were destroyed by American bombing during the war, so what stands is a mix of restored shrines and rubble. It lies about 40 km inland from Hoi An and is best reached early, before the heat and the tour buses.

Located in the heart of Saigon, this was set up by Indian merchants who came to Saigon for trade purposes in 19th century. Originally, there were 4 temples dedicated to Mariamman, Sri Thenday Yutthapani, Subramanian Swamy and Ganesha respectively. However, the temple of Ganesha does not exist anymore.

Established in 6th century, Tran Quoc Pagoda was earlier referred to as 'An Quoc' and was renamed in the 17th century. Standing erect on an islet in the West Lake of Hanoi, this buddhist temple in Vietnam witnesses mass celebrations on annual festivals such as Buddha's birthday and Tet Festival.

Thien Mu means Temple of the Celestial Lady, and its seven storey octagonal tower is the tallest of its kind in Vietnam. The complex sits on Ha Khe hill about five kilometres from central Hue, looking down on the Perfume River. It also keeps the Austin car that carried the monk Thich Quang Duc to his self immolation in Saigon in 1963, which makes it a site of modern history as much as of worship.

One of the largest temples in Vietnam, the Perfume Pagoda is surrounded by lush forests and freshwater streams. Located 75 kilometres south of Hanoi, in the Son Mountains, the Perfume Temple is the most famous temple in this Vietnamese temple complex.

Located in the Gia Sinh Commune, Bai Dinh Pagoda is famous for housing 500 intricate statues of Buddha. Surrounded by mountains, it is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Vietnam and pilgrims visit here to worship their gods. Monks here tell people their fortune.

Dating back to 11th century, Temple of Literature is a Confucian temple in Vietnam. It also houses the first national university of Vietnam. In fact, it is also featured on the back of the 100,000 VND note. Located in the heart of city, there are five courtyards in the temple, all of them having a unique feature.

The Cao Dai Holy See at Long Hoa is the centre of a faith founded in Vietnam in 1926 that treats the major religions as versions of one truth, honouring Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and Confucius together. The hall borrows from all of them, with cathedral aisles, a ceiling painted as a night sky and the Divine Eye above the altar. Ceremonies run four times a day and visitors watch from the upper gallery.

Ngoc Son sits on a small island at the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake, reached by the red wooden The Huc bridge that most people photograph before they go in. It honours General Tran Hung Dao, who turned back the Mongols in the 13th century. The hall also keeps the preserved remains of a giant softshell turtle from the lake, the animal behind the legend that gives Hoan Kiem its name.

Quan Thanh temple is a Taoist temple built to honour the God of the North 'Tran Vo' who used the tortoise and snake as symbols of protection and wealth respectively. The temple houses a 4 mtere tall bronze statue of Tran Vo. The temple complex has a beautiful gate, banyan trees, a bronze bell, shrines and carved poems.

One of the most iconic temples of Vietnam, the One pillar Pagoda is one pillar built elegantly in the shape of a lotus blossom which is the Buddhist symbol of enlightment. The shrine inside the Pagoda is dedicated to the vietnamese Buddhist deity Quan Am.

Bach Ma is the oldest temple in the Old Quarter and one of the four shrines that traditionally guarded the four approaches to the capital. The name means White Horse, after the animal said to have shown Ly Thai To where the city walls should stand in the 11th century. It is small and easy to walk past among the shophouses on Hang Buom, which is part of why it stays quieter than the lakeside temples.

Built in 15th century during the reign of Le Dynasty, the Ambassador's Pagoda is popularly known as the Quan Su Temple. Built to recieve Buddhist ambassadors, the temple is lesser known to tourists yet. The pagoda serves as the headquaters for Vietnam Buddhist Association. The temple also houses wax figures of Buddhist monks of the past.

Phu Tay Ho is a temple dedicated to Mother Goddesses and the Jade Emperor. The pagoda has some brilliant architecture and many worship objects like the altar, statues, bronze bells, canopies and royal seat, all very beautifully decorated. The temple turns into a celebration on the 15th day of each lunar month.

With a peaceful ambience, the Kim Lien Pagoda of Hanoi is an ancient temple founded in the 12th Century by the Ly Dynasty. The pagoda has a very sophisticated and elegant architecture with three pavillions constructed in a curved shape. It houses the statue of Buddha, Princess Tu hoa and Lord Trinh Giang among others.

Voi Phuc Temple, popularly known as the Kneeling Elephants Temple is dedicated to Royal Highness Linh Lang, son of King Ly Thanh Tong. The temple has a commendable architecture, beautiful carvings, two kneeling elephants in front and a scenic surrounding.

Located close to Hoan Kiem Lake, Hai Ba Trung is a 12th century temple with ornate carvings and statues of the Trung sisters. These sisters are national heroines who fought against Chinese domination in Vietnam in 1st century AD. The annual festival in January enlivens the temple with processions and cultural activities.

Located in Disrict 5, Thien Hau Pagoda is a 19th century buddhist temple dedicated to Lady of the Sea, Goddess Mazu. The temple features intricate carvings and lanterns on the outer courtyard, while inside are vibrant dioramas that depict scenes from a Chinese city. The main dais houses the three statutes of Mazu flanked by her guardians.

Giac Lam is the oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, founded in 1744 and little altered since. The name translates roughly as Feel the Woods, and the grounds live up to it, with a tall bodhi tree shading a bodhisattva statue. The sanctuary holds more than a hundred carved wooden figures darkened by two centuries of incense. It is out in Tan Binh rather than the centre, so it stays calm even at weekends.

Built in 1909 by the city’s Cantonese community, the Jade Emperor Pagoda is a Taoist shrine to Ngoc Hoang, who decides which souls pass into heaven. The interior is thick with incense smoke, and carved panels along the walls show the punishments waiting for sinners in the Hall of Ten Hells. It is one of the few major temples inside District 1, so it fits into a morning without a long taxi ride.

The biggest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh, Xa Loi Pagoda is as famous for it dramatic history as it is for its beautiful statues, towers and intricately carved panels. Once the centre of Buddhism, the complex was home to renowned Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc.

Quan Am Pagoda is a beautiful 19th-century Buddhist temple dedicated to Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. Situated in Cholon in District 5, the temple complex is divided into three areas, with altars dedicated to Sea Goddess Mazu, the Jade Emperor and Quan Am.

Vinh Nghiem covers about 6,000 square metres in District 3, which makes it the largest Mahayana pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. It was the first to build a traditional Vietnamese design in concrete rather than timber, put up with help from the Japan Vietnam Friendship Association, and a Japanese style Buddha in the grounds still marks that connection. The seven storey tower is visible from the street.

Phung Son Pagoda is a gorgeous 19th century Buddhist temple in Ho Chi Minh. The temple features over 40 exquisite ceramic and copper statues, and devotees come here to pray daily. Moreover, the area surrounding the temple was excavated to reveal structures belonging to the Funan period of 1st century AD.

One of the most ornamental temples in Cholon, Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda is a beautiful shrine dedicated to Chinese general Quan Cong. Built in 1902, the temple is surrounded by abundant greenery and features exquisite wood carvings on all altars, walls and columns.

Giac Vien was founded in 1850 by the monk Hai Tinh Giac Vien, who also served at Giac Lam, and the two pagodas share a style. The main sanctuary is given over to Buddha, with a statue of the founder standing to one side among rows of dark carved wood. It is in District 11 beside Dam Sen park, which makes it easy to pair with a visit there rather than a trip on its own.

Ha Chong Hoi Quan Pagoda is a 19th century Taoist temple built in worship of the Goddess of the Sea, Thien Hau. A community of migrant Fujians constructed the temple, which features intricate bas-reliefs and stone pillars decorated with fierce dragons.

Le Van Duyet was the mandarin who governed the south for the early Nguyen emperors, and his tomb in Binh Thanh is still a working shrine rather than a monument. Locals call it Lang Ong and come to ask for luck in business, especially around Tet, when the courtyard fills and the incense is constant. The complex holds his tomb, his wife’s, and a hall of offerings behind a triple gate.

Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda is known for being the only pure Taoist temple in the country. Built in 1943, the pagoda features a 150cm statue of founding philosopher Lao Tzu with a mirror halo and also houses a clinic and elderly home inside. Its classic Chinese architecture and Buddhist statues add to its serene beauty.

Nghia An Hoi Quan was built by Chaozhou Chinese migrants in Cholon in the early 19th century and is dedicated to Quan Cong, the Han general deified across Chinese communities. The woodwork is the reason to come: a carved boat above the entrance, gilded panels, and a life size horse standing beside the altar. It is close to Binh Tay market, so the two work well on the same afternoon.

Tam Son Hoi Quan Temple is a beautiful Taoist temple located in Cholon. Built in 19th century by the Fujian Congregation, the temple is dedicated to Me Sanh, the Goddess of Fertility.Deified general Quan Cong and Thien Hau also have their shrines here, and several paintings of nature adorn the walls inside.

Ong Bon in Cholon is a Taoist temple to the guardian of happiness and prosperity, which is why so many offerings left here concern money and family rather than devotion. The Chinese style hall has heavily carved altars and a gilded cabinet for the main deity. It is quieter than Thien Hau a few streets away, and worth the detour if you want Cholon without the crowd.

Phap Lam stands on Ong Ich Khiem in central Da Nang, a two storey hall with carved pillars, a garden and a large gold Buddha inside. It was formerly called Tinh Hoi. The streets around it are lined with vegetarian restaurants that fill up at Tet and on full moon days, which is the best reason to time a visit for one. It is close enough to walk to from most city hotels.

Situated alongside the beach en route to the Son Tra Peninsula is a Buddhist Pagoda famous as Chua Buu Dai Son. Peppered with countless Buddhist statues sprayed with bright-colored vivid stones. The peaceful compound is marked with an enormous Marquee Budai style Buddha at the entrance and a chinese style pagoda in the center

Long Son Pagoda is a beautiful 19th-century Buddhist temple located on the foothills of Trai Thuy mountain. The entrance is decorated with dragon mosaics, while lush topiary lines the main grounds. Featuring Taoist architecture and ornate sculptures of mythical animals, the temple also functions as a monastery.

Suoi Do Pagoda is a beautiful 50-year-old Buddhist temple located in Suoi Hiep commune in Dien Khanh district. It’s dedicated to Quan Am, the Chinese goddess of compassion and mercy. The Suoi Do Pagoda each year sees thousands of worshippers visiting its doors and are also provided with a free vegeterian meal.

Tong Lam Lo Son Pagoda is a beautiful Buddhist temple located at Vinh Phuong Commune in Nha Trang. The key highlight is the tall and imposing white marble statue of Buddha, found at the end of a series of steps. Visit this gorgeous temple early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Linh Phuoc stands at the end of Trai Mat Street outside Da Lat and is built almost entirely from broken glass and pottery, roughly 12,000 bottles’ worth set into dragons, pillars and mosaics. Its bell tower is the tallest in Vietnam. Locals call it the Ve Chai Pagoda, meaning bottle pagoda. The narrow gauge tourist train from Da Lat station stops right outside, which is how most people arrive.

Find roots of Hindu culture and mythology at the Po Shanu Cham Towers of Mui Ne, which are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam. Dating back to the 8th century, these towers lie towards the west of Mui Ne and house ancient stone tombstones.

Du Hang is the oldest Buddhist site in Haiphong, founded more than a thousand years ago under the early Le dynasty and rebuilt many times since, with the garden and library added in 1917. Seven halls run back from the entrance, past a bell gate with a curved roof. It is about a kilometre from the centre, and for most travellers it is the one stop worth making in Haiphong before the boat to Cat Ba.

Bao Ha temple sees a lot of Spiritual tourism in the form of locals. The Bao Ha temple has a rich history. The temple is a shrine to General Bao Hay who sacrificed himself for the nation. The temple is said to offer a sense of security to those who visit it. The temple was renovated recently and this has made it more accessible.

The Vanh Thanh Mieu Pagoda is a rare Confucian Temple with a rich history. Located just across a river, this ancient Confucian temple is built in honour of a local hero, Phan Thanh Gian, who led an uprising against the French Colonial army in the early 1930s.