8 ideal temples in Saigon for New Year pilgrimage

Springtime is the perfect time for you and your family to embark on a pilgrimage through the temples in Saigon, where you can admire peaceful scenery and pray for goodness and peace.

8 ideal temples in Saigon for New Year pilgrimage

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda

Located on a spacious campus, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda follows the typical architecture of temples in the North. Both the name and architecture of the temple are modeled after a wooden temple in Bac Giang, the center of the Truc Lam Yen Tu sect.

The uniqueness of the pagoda lies in the 14-meter-high stone tower with 7 floors, decorated with motifs and patterns in the Ly - Tran cultural style. Situated on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street in the city center, the pagoda is always a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims.

Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda

Set within a tranquil space, shaded by ancient trees all year round, Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda (3/2 street) is a beautiful architectural work with significant historical importance. Known for its deep-rooted Vietnamese cultural architecture, it is renowned in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting a large number of tourists and Buddhist followers daily.

Ba Thien Hau Temple

Located on Nguyen Trai street, Ba Thien Hau Temple (also known as Ba Cholon Temple) is one of the oldest temples of the Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City, dating back to around 1760.

Ba Thien Hau Temple bears the distinctive architecture of the Chinese people, built in the seal-shaped style, with 4 interconnected houses. Despite several renovations, the temple still retains this architecture, both externally and internally.

Sung Duc Pagoda

Another ancient temple bustling with international visitors during the Lunar New Year is Sùng Đức Temple in Thủ Đức. Built in 1806, the temple has stood for over 200 years, maintaining its ancient charm with traditional wooden architecture featuring four pillars and yin-yang tiled roof, following the shape of the Chinese character 'tam' as it was in the past.

With its long history, the temple houses many precious artifacts such as a 1.30-meter tall bronze bell, a 1.30-meter wooden statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, a 1.34-meter long ancient wooden drum, 8 ancient stone statues, 3 pairs of precious wooden incense burners, and more. Besides these artifacts, the temple also showcases numerous valuable art pieces meticulously crafted by skilled artisans.

Xá Lợi Pagoda

Situated on Bà Huyện Thanh Quan Street, District 3, the ancient frangipani trees lining the entrance path add to the solemn and mystical ambiance of the pagoda. Built through the contributions of people from southern provinces in the past to worship the benefactor Buddha.

The distinctive feature of the pagoda is its 7-story tower, standing at 32 meters tall, with the top floor holding a 2-ton giant bronze bell, cast in the likeness of the Thiên Mụ Pagoda bell in Huế. The resonating sound of the bell has been known through generations via the classic song 'The Bell Sound of Xá Lợi Pagoda' composed by Viễn Châu.

Ngọc Hoàng Pagoda

Formerly known as the Ngọc Hoàng Temple, dedicated to the Emperor deity worshipped by the Chinese community. Hence, the architecture of the temple reflects Chinese influence. Inside, the temple houses beautiful and rare wooden sculptures. Stepping into the temple, visitors will be fascinated by the lotus pond, with incense smoke pervading the courtyard. There's also a turtle pond with thousands of turtles. Visitors often release turtles into the pond as a gesture of merit-making.

Giác Lâm Pagoda

As one of the ancient and renowned pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City, Giác Lâm Pagoda (District 11) attracts numerous visitors. The architecture of the pagoda represents the typical style of the South, featuring a three-row layout connected horizontally. The main hall, resembling traditional Vietnamese houses with two roofs and four main pillars, is called the quadrangle. The overall space of the pagoda is spacious and serene, perfect for Buddhist followers and pilgrims. Visitors can explore the historical, cultural, architectural, and sculptural values that the pagoda still preserves to this day.

Phụng Sơn Pagoda

Phụng Sơn Pagoda is located on 3 tháng 2 Street, District 11, founded by Zen master Liễu Thông in the early 19th century. Initially, the pagoda was just a small hermitage built on a high mound, so it was called Gò Pagoda by the locals. According to legend, a phoenix bird landed on a cornstalk in front of the hermitage and crowed, which the Zen master interpreted as an auspicious sign, thus renaming the pagoda Phụng Sơn.

Initially named Điện Ngọc Hoàng, the temple was dedicated to the Jade Emperor worshipped by the Chinese. Hence, the architecture of the temple carries a Chinese essence. Inside the temple, there are beautiful and rare wooden sculptures. Visitors stepping into the temple will find themselves delighted by the lotus pond, with incense smoke drifting through the courtyard. There's also a turtle pond housing thousands of turtles. Visitors often release turtles into the pond as an act of merit-making.

In 1904, the hermitage was reconstructed. Over 200 years and two major renovations later, the temple still retains its ancient architecture with wooden frames and yin-yang tiled roofs. The temple houses 40 meticulously crafted statues, some of which are particularly precious such as the Three Jewels of Buddhism set, the Five Virtuous Ones, stone Buddha statues, and the statue of the Enlightened One...

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour