Top 14 Temples in Saigon for a Tranquil Journey

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Step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday urban life and embark on a pilgrimage to the temples in Saigon. You will feel the peace and tranquility within your soul.

Top 14 Temples in Saigon for a Tranquil Journey

1. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda

Address: 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is one of the well-known temples in Saigon, established in 1964 and completed in 1971. The pagoda is situated within a spacious compound of over 6000 square meters, featuring curved tiled roofs, intricate carvings, and sculptures.

Over the decades, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda has retained its serene and peaceful atmosphere amidst the bustling city life of Saigon. It remains an ideal place for visitors to find inner peace and embark on a spiritual journey amidst the vibrant pulse of Saigon.

2. Hue Nghiem Pagoda

Address: 299B Luong Dinh Cua, Binh Khanh Ward, District 2 (old), Ho Chi Minh City.

Hue Nghiem Pagoda was built and established in 1975 by Master Thich Tri Quang. Prior to the construction of the pagoda, the current temple land was used for rice cultivation for the Hue Nghiem Monastery. After 1975, to accommodate monks and Buddhist practitioners, Thich Tri Quang constructed the meditation hall and Hue Nghiem 2 Pagoda. It was not until 1998 that this ancient temple was officially recognized.

The highlight of the pagoda is the statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in front of the courtyard. This statue, standing at 12 meters tall (with a 4-meter pedestal and 8-meter statue), is intricately carved from a single block of granite weighing up to 60 tons, consecrated by Venerable Thich Tinh Tu, the abbot of Kim Son Pagoda, in 2003. While the exterior of the compound stands out with meticulously carved details, the unique main hall features a blend of Vietnamese and Japanese temple architecture, beautifully renovated with a delicate and modern touch.

3. Giac Lam Pagoda

Address: 565 Lac Long Quan, Ward 10, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Founded in the spring of 1744 by an immigrant from Minh Huong (China) named Ly Thuy Long, Giac Lam Pagoda was initially named Cam Son due to its location on Cam Son hill. However, more than 30 years later, Master Vien Quang was appointed as the abbot of the pagoda, which was then renamed Giac Lam. Since then, Giac Lam Pagoda has played a vital role in teaching monks in the South and in copying and engraving important Buddhist scriptures.

The architectural structure of the pagoda features two layers of four-pillar houses arranged in a spiral shape. The pagoda roof has 4 slopes, and all roof beams are straight. The main hall follows the traditional folk house style with one corridor and four main pillars. Inside the hall, there are 56 columns larger than embracing arms in dark brown color. Each column is intricately carved with couplets and gold leafed. Between the columns are hanging doors, also gold leafed, adorned with traditional decorative themes such as the four sacred animals, the four auspicious animals, and floral patterns...

4. Pho Quang Pagoda

Address: 21 Huynh Lan Khanh, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

After several renovations, the pagoda was rebuilt in a modern direction. However, the interior of the pagoda still retains its ancient and solemn appearance with massive columns adorned with delicate carvings reminiscent of the Ly dynasty era.

Apart from the main hall, there are also East and West pavilions, a reception room, a traditional house, and residential quarters for the monks inside. When visiting Pho Quang Pagoda, you will understand to some extent the religious devotion of the people of Saigon.

5. Vạn Phật Pagoda

Address: 66/14 Nghia Thuc, Ward 5, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.

True to its name, the pagoda boasts a system of Buddha statues that set a record in Vietnam. The statues are arranged on various levels, among which the most magnificent is the main hall (also known as Quang Minh Hall), a structure that gathers both small and large statues such as Shakyamuni Buddha, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and Universal Worthy Bodhisattva...

Notably, the copper lotus pedestal beneath the Shakyamuni Buddha statue is meticulously crafted and exquisite. On the walls of the main hall are 10,000 small statues, placed side by side in an impressive manner, creating the uniqueness of Van Phat Pagoda.

6. Giac Ngo Pagoda

Address: 92 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ward 3, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.

The Buddha hall is solemnly arranged, with the meditation statue of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni in the center. The altar in front displays many Buddha statues such as the Medicine Buddha, Lord Buddha Shakyamuni, Bodhisattva Maitreya...

Giac Ngo Pagoda is very spacious, with a total of 7 floors and 1 basement for parking, the temple area becomes wider as you go deeper inside. Inside the temple, there are staircases and elevators designed on both sides for the convenience of Buddhists participating in retreats.

7. Phuoc Long Pagoda

Address: Located on an islet in the Dong Nai River, Long Binh Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City.

The special feature of the pagoda is the abundance of colorful statues such as the Eighteen Arhats, Bodhisattvas, and characters from folk beliefs, including the statue of Sun Wukong, the Tang monk... Inside the main hall consists of three sections with the main structure made of wood. The brown color of the wood, the carved columns, and the golden painted roof make the space even more ancient.

Moreover, most of the furnishings such as tables, chairs, ancestral altars, oil lamp stands, and incense burners in the pagoda are made of wood. Particularly noteworthy are the intricately carved wooden tables. The pagoda dedicates a spacious area to display these items. Especially, as you step into the pagoda gate, you will see a 10-meter-long Buddha statue, very impressive. The pagoda grounds resemble a statue garden, with the Bodhisattva Guan Yin statue made of stone placed in the middle of the water lake, surrounded by unique dragons facing the river.

8. Ngoc Hoang Pagoda

Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda was built in the early 20th century by a Chinese man named Luu Minh, who moved from China to Vietnam to live and do business. He was a follower of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, so he wanted to build a temple to worship Buddha and Ngoc. The pagoda is famous in Saigon with about 100 statues made of hardboard depicting the encounters of gods with Ngoc Hoang.

Constructed by a Chinese descendant, the architecture here possesses many characteristics of this country. Using fired bricks in construction with yin and yang tiled roofs, eaves, and roof corners adorned with decorative statues, these are the most prominent features of this architectural style.

9. Ba Thien Hau Pagoda

Address: 710 Nguyen Trai, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.

Visiting Ba Thien Hau Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, tourists cannot help but be impressed by the unique architecture, including the complex of 4 interconnected houses forming the shape of a 'mouth' or the letter 'nation'.

The highlight of Ba Thien Hau Pagoda is the circular spiral incense coils hanging high to create a very unique and impressive image. Additionally, you can buy rings, write your wishes or blessings on paper, then hang them with the incense coils to pray to Thien Hau. Another special highlight of the pagoda is that all materials originate from China, from precious woods to incense burners, from reliefs to small statues. This somewhat demonstrates the important position of Ba Thien Hau Pagoda in the life of the Chinese community in Saigon.

10. Lonely Buddha Pagoda

Address: 22 Mai Ba Huong, Le Minh Xuan Commune, Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Currently, the pagoda has been renovated extensively but still retains its rustic, ancient charm - a characteristic of ancient pagodas in Vietnam. The triple gate of the pagoda is built tall, large, and extremely solemn with intricately carved lines, elegant and exquisite. The pagoda grounds are built on an area of 5 hectares, so this place displays and worships many different Buddha statues.

Not only a religious activity center, attracting many people to attend Buddha's ceremonies, pray for peace, and visit, but the Lonely Buddha Pagoda is also an educational institution for monks and Buddhists in Ho Chi Minh City.

11. Hoang Phap Pagoda

Address: 96 Tan Thoi 3 Hamlet, Tan Hiep Commune, Hoc Mon District, Ho Chi Minh City.

The pagoda attracts many Buddhists from Saigon and neighboring areas. The triple gate of Hoang Phap Pagoda features Eastern architecture - red tiles, curved roofs but more neat. Above, in the middle of the entrance, there is the inscription 'Hoang Phap Pagoda.' The architecture of the pagoda gate is a unique harmony between tradition and modernity. The curved lines are somewhat sharper than those of traditional temple gates. On the top of the gate of Hoang Phap Pagoda, there are two layers covered with red tiles. Each blade is softly curved.

12. Buu Long Pagoda

Address: 81 Nguyen Xien, Long Binh Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City.

You don't need to go all the way to Thailand to admire the architectural masterpiece of the “Land of the Golden Temple”. Buu Long Pagoda, with its unique and rare Thai architectural style in the midst of glamorous Saigon, has become a famous spiritual tourism destination, attracting numerous visitors to come here for sightseeing and Buddha worship.

Buu Long Pagoda is honored to be voted by the American National Geographic magazine as one of the 10 most beautifully designed Buddhist works in the world. Like a radiant flower amidst the poetic scenery beside the gentle Dong Nai River, District 9's Buu Long Pagoda has become a renowned spiritual tourism destination far and near.

13. Phap Hoa Pagoda

Address: 870 Truong Sa, Ward 14, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

Phap Hoa Pagoda is a nearly 100-year-old temple, first appealing to visitors because of its unique architecture. Standing on Le Van Sy Bridge, you can already see the majestic temple standing next to the picturesque Nhiêu Lộc Canal.

In 1993, Phap Hoa Pagoda was renovated and expanded to its current grandeur. Therefore, District 3's Phap Hoa Pagoda is considered the cradle of Buddhist culture, attracting visitors from all corners to explore its present-day scenery. Visiting Phap Hoa Pagoda, you will admire the unique architecture of the temple, attend Buddha's birthday ceremonies, release lanterns, and admire the serene beauty of the temple at night.