Vietnam, a country rich in history and culture, is a convergence of various religions and beliefs. Among them, Buddhism holds a particularly important position, reflected in thousands of pagodas of all sizes stretching across the country. These pagodas are not only places of practice and religious activities for monks, nuns, and Buddhists but also precious cultural and historical heritages, attracting many tourists to visit, worship, and seek peace of mind. This article will introduce you to the most sacred pagodas in Vietnam, where you can feel the unique architectural beauty, immerse yourself in the tranquil space, and pray for good things for yourself and your family.
Ba Chua Xu Temple, An Giang – Famous Spiritual Destination in Mekong Delta
Ba Chua Xu Temple at Sam Mountain is one of the most famous and sacred spiritual tourist destinations in Vietnam, especially attracting tourists during festivals. The temple is located at the foot of Sam Mountain, in Chau Doc city, An Giang province.
Ba Chua Xu Temple, a sacred pilgrimage site in Vietnam
Legend has it that about 200 years ago, people discovered a statue of Lady on the top of Sam Mountain and wanted to bring it down to the mountain for worship. Strangely, despite the efforts of many strong young men, no one could move the statue. Later, a female medium prophesied that only 9 virgins could carry the Lady’s statue down the mountain. When they reached the foot of the mountain, the Lady’s statue suddenly became too heavy to move any further. People believed that the Lady had chosen this place to settle, so they built a temple to worship her right there.
The main hall of Ba Chua Xu Temple at Sam Mountain
Ba Chua Xu Temple is built in a unique “Quoc” (國) shape architecture, resembling a blooming lotus flower. The tower has elegant colors, roofed with jade-colored tiles, and the corners of the roof soar high, creating a solid and strong feeling. The interior architecture of the temple is imbued with Indian style, with intricate carvings. The Via Ba Chua Xu Sam Mountain Festival is one of the largest festivals in the South, attracting millions of pilgrims from all over to attend and pray.
Via Ba Chua Xu Sam Mountain Festival with crowds of pilgrims
Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue – Ancient Symbol by the Perfume River
Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as Linh Mu Pagoda, is one of the oldest and most famous pagodas in the ancient capital of Hue. With its beautiful location by the romantic Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda is not only an important spiritual site but also a cultural symbol of Hue.
Thien Mu Pagoda with its iconic Phuoc Duyen tower
Thien Mu Pagoda was built in 1601, under the reign of Lord Nguyen Hoang. Over 400 years of history, the pagoda has been restored and embellished many times, but still retains its ancient and solemn architecture. The highlight of the pagoda is Phuoc Duyen Tower, a 7-story architectural work, with each floor worshiping a different Buddha.
Thien Mu Pagoda nestled by the Perfume River in Hue
In addition to Phuoc Duyen Tower, Thien Mu Pagoda also has many other beautiful architectural works such as Dai Hung Hall, Dia Tang Hall, and Quan Am Hall. The pagoda’s space is quiet and peaceful, with green trees and the sound of bells ringing, giving visitors a feeling of relaxation and peace.
Linh Ung Pagoda, Da Nang – Home to Vietnam’s Tallest Lady Buddha Statue
Da Nang is famous for its three Linh Ung pagodas, each with its own beauty and meaning. Among them, Linh Ung Pagoda Bai But, located on Son Tra peninsula, is the most famous pagoda, with the tallest Lady Buddha statue in Vietnam.
Linh Ung Pagoda, a spiritual landmark in Da Nang
Linh Ung Pagoda Bai But has a large area, with architecture harmoniously combining tradition and modernity. The Lady Buddha statue is 67 meters high, leaning against the mountain, facing the East Sea, symbolizing protection and peace for the people of Da Nang.
Sacred Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang with ocean view
According to legend, during the reign of King Minh Mang, local people discovered a Buddha statue drifting to the sandy beach. They believed this was a good omen, so they built a shrine to worship it. Since then, this sea area has become peaceful, and fishermen have prospered. Linh Ung Pagoda was built on the foundation of the old shrine, with the desire to bring peace and luck to everyone.
Tourists visiting Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang
Linh An Pagoda, Da Lat – Tranquil Retreat in the Highlands
Linh An Pagoda is one of the largest and most famous pagodas in Da Lat. Located in Nam Ban town, Lam Ha district, Linh An Pagoda attracts visitors with its unique architectural beauty and tranquil, peaceful space.
Linh An Pagoda in Da Lat, a spiritual destination in the highlands
The highlight of Linh An Pagoda is the 54-meter-high Lady Buddha statue, meticulously and exquisitely carved. In addition, the pagoda also has 500 smaller Bodhisattva statues, placed around the campus, creating a solemn and sacred space.
Lady Buddha statue at Linh An Pagoda, Da Lat
Linh An Pagoda is nestled among green pine hills, with fresh air and beautiful natural scenery. Visitors come here not only to pray but also to seek peace and relaxation in their souls.
Vinh Trang Pagoda, Tien Giang – Pagoda with East-West Architectural Fusion
Vinh Trang Pagoda is one of the most famous pagodas in the Mekong Delta. Located in My Tho city, Tien Giang province, Vinh Trang Pagoda attracts visitors with its unique architecture, harmoniously combining Asian and European styles.
Vinh Trang Pagoda, a famous pagoda in Tien Giang
Vinh Trang Pagoda has a large area, with many beautiful architectural works such as the three-entrance gate, the main hall, the ancestral temple, and large Buddha statues. The pagoda’s architecture is influenced by many different cultures, such as Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer, and French, creating a unique and impressive combination.
Unique architectural style of Vinh Trang Pagoda
Vinh Trang Pagoda is home to many ancient Buddha statues made of wood and bronze, with high artistic value. In addition, the pagoda also has three large Buddha statues: Amitabha Buddha, Reclining Shakyamuni Buddha, and Maitreya Buddha, attracting many tourists to worship and pray.
Courtyard of Vinh Trang Pagoda in Mekong Delta
Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh – Vietnam’s Largest Buddhist Architectural Complex
Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the most famous spiritual tourist destinations in Northern Vietnam. Located in the Bai Dinh – Trang An eco-tourism complex, Bai Dinh Pagoda is a massive Buddhist architectural complex, with many records set domestically and internationally.
Panoramic view of Bai Dinh Pagoda complex
Bai Dinh Pagoda has a large area, with many magnificent architectural works such as the three-entrance gate, Tam The Hall, Pháp Chủ Hall, stupa, Arhat corridor, and large Buddha statues. The pagoda is built in the traditional architectural style of Vietnam, with curved roofs, large ironwood pillars, and sophisticated decorative patterns.
Beautiful architecture of Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh
Bai Dinh Pagoda is home to many precious treasures of Vietnamese Buddhism, such as the largest bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue in Asia, the largest bronze bell in Vietnam, and the longest Arhat corridor in the world. Visitors come here not only to worship and pray but also to explore the unique architectural beauty and learn about the history and culture of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Magnificent main hall inside Bai Dinh Pagoda
Yen Tu Pagoda, Quang Ninh – Origin of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism
Yen Tu Pagoda is one of the most important spiritual tourist destinations in Vietnam. Located on the top of Yen Tu Mountain, Quang Ninh province, Yen Tu Pagoda is considered the origin of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, a unique Zen sect of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Pagoda nestled on Yen Tu Mountain peak
To reach Yen Tu Pagoda, visitors must climb thousands of stone steps, passing through green bamboo forests and ancient pagodas. The arduous mountain climbing process is also an interesting experience, helping visitors to improve their health and find peace in their souls.
Group of young people conquering Yen Tu Mountain peak
On the top of Yen Tu Mountain, visitors will admire Dong Pagoda, a small copper pagoda, located at the highest point of the mountain. Dong Pagoda is a symbol of perseverance, sincerity, and the desire for enlightenment. In addition to Dong Pagoda, Yen Tu also has many other attractions such as Trinh Pagoda, Hoa Yen Pagoda, Bao Sai Pagoda, and Hue Quang Tower.
Tay Yen Tu scenic area in Quang Ninh
Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi – Ancient Pagoda by West Lake
Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the oldest pagodas in Hanoi, with a history of over 1500 years. Located on a small island in the middle of West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a famous spiritual destination, attracting many tourists and locals to visit and worship.
Narrow path leading to Tran Quoc Pagoda
Tran Quoc Pagoda has ancient and solemn architecture, with many beautiful architectural works such as the three-entrance gate, the main hall, the ancestral house, and ancient Buddha statues. The pagoda is home to many precious historical and cultural relics, reflecting the development of Vietnamese Buddhism through the ages.
Young people visiting Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi
The pagoda’s space is quiet and peaceful, with green trees and the sound of bells ringing, giving visitors a feeling of relaxation and peace. Tran Quoc Pagoda is not only an important spiritual site but also an attractive tourist destination, imbued with cultural and historical values of Hanoi.
Ancient and solemn main hall of Tran Quoc Pagoda
Ba Den Mountain Tourist Area, Tay Ninh – Spiritual Symbol of the South
Ba Den Mountain is the highest mountain in Southeast Vietnam, a symbol of Tay Ninh province. This place is not only famous for its majestic natural scenery but also an important spiritual tourist destination, with many sacred pagodas and temples.
Crowds of visitors at Ba Den Pagoda
Ba Den Pagoda is the most famous pagoda on Ba Den Mountain, attracting millions of tourists to visit and pray every year. The pagoda is built on the top of the mountain, with unique architecture and solemn space. To reach the pagoda, visitors can climb the mountain or take a cable car.
Cable car leading up to Ba Den Mountain Pagoda
In addition to Ba Den Pagoda, Ba Den Mountain also has many other attractions such as caves, temples, and beautiful viewpoints. Ba Den Mountain is an ideal destination for those who want to combine spiritual tourism and nature exploration.
Buu Long Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City – “Miniature Thailand” in Saigon
Buu Long Pagoda is a famous pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, known for its unique architecture, imbued with Thai style. The pagoda is located in District 9, with a large space and beautiful scenery.
Buu Long Pagoda, a spiritual tourism destination in Saigon
Buu Long Pagoda is built in the Theravada Buddhist architectural style, with curved roofs, large pillars, and sophisticated decorative patterns. The main colors of the pagoda are yellow and white, creating a magnificent and majestic beauty.
Spiritual site in Saigon, Buu Long Pagoda
The pagoda’s space is quiet and peaceful, with green trees and a clear blue lake, giving visitors a feeling of relaxation and peace. Buu Long Pagoda is an ideal destination for those who want to seek peace and explore the unique beauty of Buddhist architecture.
The sacred pagodas in Vietnam are not only religious architectural works but also precious cultural and historical heritages. Each pagoda has its own beauty and meaning, reflecting the diversity and richness of Vietnamese culture. Hopefully, through this article, you have gained useful information and chosen suitable spiritual tourist destinations to explore and experience. Remember that when visiting sacred places, show respect, maintain cleanliness, and comply with regulations to make your trip meaningful and complete.