Joanna James
Do you love your temples? Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, features dozens of pagodas that pay tribute to Lord Buddha. Check them out!
Pay your respects at the Jade Emperor Pagoda, which is over a century old. Also known as the Phuoc Hai Pagoda, this Buddhist temple is one of Ho Chi Minh City's most iconic religious establishments. From service apartments in Ho Chi Minh City such as the Somerset Chancellor Court Ho Chi Minh City, this pagoda is just a 6-minute drive away.
Check out the impressive 32-metre bell tower at the Xa Loi Pagoda. This temple covers an area of over 2,500 square metres and features a massive statue of the Gautama Buddha. Enjoy the scenic view of the Saigon River and spend a few relaxing moments by the tranquil koi pond on the premises.
Despite being a relatively small shrine, this pagoda is popular, especially with the local ladies. Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda was built in reverence of the fertility goddess Mother Sanh or Me San. Vietnamese women come here to obtain blessings from Me Sanh so that they may conceive children. Make sure to keep your camera charged when you visit Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda. The pagoda features lovely figurines that you can take pictures of.
Pay a visit to the biggest pagoda in Saigon that follows the Mahayana school of Buddhism. The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is a popular destination for tourists visiting Vietnam's capital city. The monks and nuns here enjoy being able to practice their English-language skills; so try your luck and you may be able to converse with them before you leave. Did you know? Its full name translates to 'Ever Solemn' in Vietnamese.
If you want to see a Taoist pagoda, then the Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda should be on your must-visit list. Vietnam only has a small number of these kinds of pagodas. The Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda was constructed by Cantonese immigrants during the late thirties and early forties. To find the pagoda, head over to Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown.
Explore the Thien Hau Pagoda to immerse yourself in a mystical atmosphere. Observe the smoking rings of incense wafting through the air and let your mind be at ease. Keep an eye out for the various dioramas which portray scenes from heroic battles.
The pagoda strikes an interesting compromise between a Taoist and Buddhist shrine. The reason for this being that it pagoda honours the goddess Thien Hau, who cannot be attributed exclusively to either faith. If you plan on embarking on any nautical adventures, it might be wise to swing by this pagoda for extra luck; Thien Hau is known as a Goddess of the Sea and Patron of Sailors.
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