33 Sacred Vietnam Temples and Pagodas You Should Visit

1. Ba Chua Kho Temple – Bac Ninh

In the ancient and civilized Kinh Bac countryside, Ba Chua Kho Temple is one of the most famous and sacred Vietnam temples. Every day, hundreds of people from inside and outside the country come to worship and pray for fortune. On top of that, yearly, January, and February of the lunar calendar are the busiest and most exciting times. Everyone who came here shared the belief that Ba Chua Kho would help to make their business more developed, wealthy, and prosperous.

The temple was established in the Ly Dynasty, originally a small temple. In the Le Dynasty, it was restored and expanded into a large temple with many construction items in the area including the Tam Quan Gate, road, yard, sacrifice court, second palace, and backroom. Especially, the Great Hall of Worshiping solemnly with the Ba Chua Kho statue carved very meticulously, and skillfully. Time flies and the war is devastating, in 1989, Ba Chua Kho Temple was ranked as one of the National Historical and Cultural Sites. At the same time, the Bac Ninh government restored and enlarged the temple including many architectural works. Most of the works are restored, embellished with a traditional appearance, and to honor the value of the monument.

Ba Chua Kho is One of the Most Vietnam Sacred Temples

People come to the temple to pray for peace and fortune. Nevertheless, most of them come to “borrow money” from Ba Chua Kho. They look forward to a good year of abundant capital and prosperous business. The ritual of “borrowing money” is also very easy and clear. People will write in a book how much to borrow, what to do, and how long to pay back. Even some people promise to pay back triple, or ten times the borrowed number. With the promise to pay back what was borrowed, whether they do well or not, people still keep their promises. Indeed, they will come and pay back at the end of the year to Ba Chua Kho Temple.

Address: Co Me town, Vu Ninh ward, Bac Ninh city.

2. The Relic Area Con Son Kiep Bac – Hai Duong

By 2012, the relic area Con Son Kiep Bac had been recognized as a Special National Site. This is a place to preserve the historical relics related to the illustrious feat of the Tran people and army with 3 times defeating the Mongol invasions in the 13th century. Also, it keeps the resounding 10-year victory of the Lam Son uprising against the Ming invaders.

At Con Son Kiep Bac, visitors can visit the temples and pagodas in the area such as:

Con Son Pagoda

The pagoda has 83 spaces, including works such as the Tam Quan Gate, the Great Hall, the Left and Right Rooms, the Bell Tower, and the Drum Tower. Due to the war, currently, Con Son Pagoda is only a small temple nestled in the ancient tree’s shadow. Yet, the pagoda is still a famous fairy spot in the country. There are many valuable vestiges and antiques left.

Kiep Bac Temple

Some feng shui masters believe this is the place to gather energy to build a big empire. Kiep Bac Temple is a rich valley surrounded by the Dragon mountain range, one side is Luc Dau Giang (Six Heads River). Mountains form the position of dragon and tiger adoration. The river creates a spacious road. On the front of the gate, there are 4 words “Hưng Thiên Vô Cực” which means infinite development. Through the big gate, on the left is the sacred dragon’s eye well.

Temple of Nguyen Trai

Nguyen Trai Temple started construction in 2000 on a land of ​​10,000m2 at the foot of Ngu Nhac Mountain. Designed in a unique and traditional style, this is the key building in Con Son Kiep Bac. Nguyen Trai Temple satisfies the travel needs associated with the spiritual history of future generations.

Temple of Tran Nguyen Han

Tran Nguyen Han Temple is located above Nguyen Trai Temple, also by the stream. Tran Nguyen Han is a special courtier of the Le Dynasty and the cousin of Nguyen Trai.

Temple of Tran Nguyen Dan

Tran Nguyen Dan is the grandpa of Nguyen Trai. His Temple is located above Tran Nguyen Han and Nguyen Trai temples, near the upstream of the Con Son stream. He raised Nguyen Trai to grow up at Con Son Mountain and built his architectural works with his wife. Thanh Hu Cave is a large-scale and monumental construction with many architectures in harmony with nature.

Each year, the relic area ​​Con Son Kiep Bac welcomes thousands of tourists coming here. They come not only for sightseeing but wishing for peace, tranquility, merit, and fortune for the family and children. This place is sacred, especially on the occasion of the festival. Because people think that all of their wishes are fulfilled.

Address: Hung Dao town, Chi Linh ward, Hai Duong province.

3. One Pillar Pagoda – Hanoi

Even in Asia, the One Pillar Pagoda is a special temple with the most unique architecture. This pagoda is considered one of the most ancient buildings in Hanoi. It’s also the capital’s symbol of thousands of years of civilization.

In terms of architecture, One Pillar Pagoda has a simple design but is full of humanity and elements of yin and yang. The pagoda was built with a square block outside to represent the yang, while a round pillar inside to support the whole architecture represents the yin. In other words, yin (the negative) supports yang (the positive). Yin and yang intertwine like the cycle of heaven and earth. The four corners of this beautiful Vietnam temple’s roof are shaped into the dragon’s heads.

One Pillar Pagoda is built on a lake. In the lake, there are a lot of lotuses grown that show the top elegance. This pagoda is not just majestic and solemn but elegant and gentle. At the top of the pagoda, in the center position, is the statue of Bodhisattva Buddha sitting on a giant lotus.

Address: Chua Mot Cot Street, Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi.

4. Perfume Pagoda, or Huong Pagoda – Hanoi

It would be flawed not to list Perfume Pagoda, or Huong Pagoda, on the list of famous temples of Vietnam. The name of Perfume Pagoda (or Chùa Hương in Vietnamese) is a local way of calling for shortened and convenient communication. In fact, the Perfume Pagoda is a long-standing religious and cultural complex of our country with dozens number of Vietnam temples, not to mention other scattered ones and shrines. To explain, the main scene you can find here is Trong Pagoda, located in Huong Tich Cave. The rest such as Thien Tru Pagoda, Thanh Son Pagoda, Bao Dai Pagoda, etc. are scattered along the peaceful Yen stream.

The temple is famously sacred. People believe that their wishes will come true if they pray at Perfume Pagoda at the beginning of the year. By word of mouth, Perfume Pagoda welcomes millions of visitors to come for worship and to enjoy the scenery, especially on special occasions in January or March. The surrounding area is very poetic and peaceful, contributing to the fresh air here. Going to Perfume Pagoda is considered a journey to Buddha. People come here to pay their respects and worship Buddhism. From there, they also pray for health, and happiness for their families, and themselves.

How to Get to Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda is located about 60km from the center of Hanoi to the southwest. In detail, it is in Huong Son town, My Duc district, on the right side of the Ay River. To get to Huong Pagoda, you can go by road or by water. The road will take you through an apricot forest, immersed in many temples, caves, and beautiful scenery. You could even have the opportunity to light incense at the tomb of Tan Da, a famous poet of Vietnam living in the first half of the twentieth century. The waterway drifts you along Yen Stream watching purple lilac flowers at the foot of the Huong Tich mountains.

Address: Huong Son town, My Duc district, Hanoi.

5. Temple of Literature – Hanoi

Not every Vietnam temple is special and valuable in different aspects. Nevertheless, coming to the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, I’m sure you will find it very interesting with a lot of info you can know about the country. The temple brings to you a whole sky of historic, traditional, and cultural knowledge about Vietnam in the first part of this millennium.

Until the final architecture and houses that you can see now at the place, the temple has gone through many builds and modifications over hundreds of years. Visiting the temple, you will have a chance to wander around a 55,027 m2 campus. The vast area is divided into 5 main courtyards. They are the Great Portico, the Great Success, Well of Heavenly Clarity and Stelae of Doctors, The Attained Talent, and The Imperial Academy. At each courtyard, you can learn a lot about the history-related literature of Vietnam.

You won’t find any Buddha statues there. Instead, the temple worshiped the philosophers, the Vietnam kings, or anyone who had contributed greatly to the country’s literature. Besides, you can find 82 stone steles in the shape of turtles which carry the names of the contestants who passed the examination in the past. Researchers and visual artists can even learn from the old patterns, and motifs for their modern creations

Address: Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da district, Hanoi.

6. Tran Quoc Pagoda – Hanoi

Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on a small island on the east of West Lake in the Tay Ho district. The pagoda brings majesty, ancient and poetic, peaceful beauty of lush gardens and the vast lake surrounding. Because of this, the pagoda has been voted as one of the most beautiful temples in the world. Definitely, it’s a must-visited sightseeing spot for tourists when coming to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Address: Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho district, Hanoi.

7. Bao Ha Temple – Lao Cai

When visiting Sapa, you should halt at Bao Ha temple. This place represents the history and culture of the Vietnamese nation. The temple is under Cam Hill, next to the Hong River that flows into the Vietnamese land. It takes approximately 60km from Lao Cai city to the south and around 800m from Bao Ha station.

Considered one of the most ancient Vietnam temples, Bao Ha Temple is dedicated to the General Hoang Bay. He was a hero who fought the Northern enemies to save the village in the period of Canh Hung’s reign, from 1740 – 1786. In an unequal battle, the Hoang Bay hero died. People then buried his body and built a temple to remember his great merit.

Bao Ha Temple has its back leaning on the mountain, facing toward the Hong River. This temple also has a melodious combination between the natural landscape and the traditional cultural architecture of Vietnam. From a distance, Bao Ha temple is very majestic and calm. Surely, you will fall in love with the charming and delightful nature that it brings. Imagine you are on the wharf or under the boat or mixed with immense mountains, covered full of smooth green that makes you lose consciousness and astounded by nature.

When You Should Visit Bao Ha Temple?

The main event of Bao Ha Temple is on July 17^th of the lunar calendar every year. It is also the Anniversary of the death of General Hoang Bay. The event attracts a large number of visitors from inside and outside the region. During the event, there is a procession of the palanquin, sacrifice to the Gods, incense offerings, and many different cultural and sports activities. On normal days, especially in the spring, many cross-country visitors often come here to light incense, pray for peace, and wish for luck.

Currently, the temple has been invested in and built with the merit of money and the Government budget to make this spiritual location perfect to satisfy the demand of tourists. Bao Ha temple is one of the famous and popular places for domestic tourists when traveling to Sapa, Lao Cai.

Address: Bao Ha commune, Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province.

8. Tran Temple – Nam Dinh

To enter the main areas of Tran Temple, you have to pass the Five-Door Gate in the front. There is a rectangular lake after the gate, with Thien Truong Temple in the middle of the lake. At the main relic area, Tran Temple consists of 3 main architectural works: Thien Truong Temple, Co Trach Temple, and Trung Hoa Temple with similar designs and equal scales.

Thien Truong Temple

Often called Thuong Temple, this is located at the center of the main space. There is a total of 9 buildings, 31 spaces. The temple frame is made of ironwood, tiled roofs, and tiled floors.

The front hall is the place to worship the high-ranking mandarins who helped the Tran Dynasty. In the middle hall, there are the ancestral tablets of 14 Tran emperors. Finally, the great hall is to worship the four ancestors of the Tran family, their wives, and empresses. The incense room set the altars and tablets of the Tran’s important people.

Co Trach Temple

Often called Ha Temple, it is located on the East side of Tran Temple. The front hall is dedicated to the loyal generals of Tran Hung Dao and his family.

The incense room places a dragon altar of Tran Hung Dao and 9 Buddha statues. The left room places tablets of Truong Han Sieu, Pham Thien Nhan, and Tran courtiers. The right room places tablets of the Tran general, Tran Cong, and Tran family members.

Trung Hoa Temple

This temple is located on the west side of the Tran Temple relic. In Trung Hoa temple, there are 14 bronze statues of 14 Tran emperors in the middle and main space. Incense room sets for the throne and tablets of the council of courtiers. The left space worships the literature courtiers. The right space worships the generals.

Every year, at Tran Temple, there will be two big festivals. Particularly, it’s the inauguration ceremony of Tran Temple in early spring and the Tran Temple Festival in August. Those attract a large number of locals and tourists from all over the world to attend. They show gratefulness to the merits of the 14 Tran kings and pray for the good.

Address: Tuc Mac town, Loc Vuong ward, Nam Dinh city.

9. Bai Dinh Pagoda – Ninh Binh

Bai Dinh is one of the largest temples in Vietnam with an area of ​​about 539 hectares. Actually, it’s the top 1. Also, the temple owns the most records in Vietnam and Asia. To include, the temple has the largest gold-plated Buddha statue in Asia, the longest corridor of Arhats, and the largest bronze Maitreya statue in Southeast Asia. The temple is located in the area of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, about 15km from Ninh Binh city. Nestled between majestic mountains, amidst vast rivers, coming to Bai Dinh, you can see the beautiful sky with the clouds flying, and the sunset is dotted with miracles over the space.

The concept of “Bai Dinh Pagoda” includes two areas: the new Bai Dinh Temple (about 80 ha) and the old Bai Dinh Temple (about 27 ha). With massive architecture that emphasizes the East Asia style, this place is considered a famous pagoda in Vietnam. Especially, Bai Dinh Pagoda still preserves the thousand-year-old architectural features of the nation. The quintessence of childhood is shown by the talented artisans in the most completed way in each tile roof, each brick, and each carved detail. All of those masterpieces make the son of the Lac-Hong bloodline stir up a very sacred pride.

Visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda

Every year, this temple hosts a spring festival that attracts a large number of visitors. Bai Dinh itself is a complex area where many Buddhist ceremonies are held. It includes an ancient pagoda area and some modern pagoda architectural areas. Alongside, it’s surrounded by huge valleys and rocky mountains. On top of that, giant architecture and monuments are still the highlights of this temple. The temple with its view from above is a vast maze, filled with the green of nature. It is the green color of the majestic hills, mountains, and forests. The green of the winding river brings the breath of the “spirit-human” land.

Even, before the current “hot” tourist destinations of Ninh Binh such as Mua Cave, and Tuyet Tinh Coc,… this land has been famous for Bai Dinh Pagoda. Since 2020, the temple has been well-known as the primary venue for the very first welcome of Buddha’s relic from India to Vietnam. Every year, there is the Bai Dinh festival. It takes place from the afternoon of the 1st day of the Lunar New Year, opening on the 6th day of the Lunar New Year. The festival will last until the end of the 3rd lunar month (around the month of 4, or 5 Buddha calendars). In detail, the festival consists of 2 parts: the ritual to burn incense to commemorate merit (the ceremony) and the festival includes folk games, pagoda scenery, enjoying Cheo singing art, Soaking the Ancient Capital, etc.

Address: Gia Sinh town, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province.

10. Keo Pagoda – Thai Binh

Keo Pagoda has an area of about 58000 km2 including many large and small buildings alternating. However, the most typical and impressive construction is the architecture of the Bell Tower. The whole tower’s height is over 11m with 3 floors. It is surrounded by a wooden frame. Interestingly, the shape of this frame is bent carefully.

For many years, Keo Pagoda has retained its unique architectural identity. Indeed, this pagoda is considered an Art Museum of the 17th century.

Address: Keo village, Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province.

11. Hoang Phuc Pagoda – Quang Binh

Hoang Phuc Pagoda is one of the ancient temples in Vietnam, from the early years of the eighteenth century. This pagoda was formerly known as Tri Kien shrine, later changed to Kinh Thien pagoda. It’s also known as the “King Pagoda” due to the time when King Tran Nhan Tong visited the temple to offer incense to Buddha. Later, it was called Hoang Phuc Pagoda under Emperor Minh Mang.

There is also a bronze bell from the time when Emperor Minh Mang ordered it to be commissioned when the pagoda was officially renamed Hoang Phuc. Hence, when you come here, you can not only visit the ancient pagoda, offer incense, and pray for peace, but explore and learn more about the historical and religious aspects of the country, Vietnam.

Currently, Hoang Phuc pagoda has been rebuilt. Thus, you will see many “brand-new-modern” features on the temple’s campus. Even so, Hoang Phuc is still one of the well-known Vietnam pagodas and worth a visit.

Address: My Thuy town, Le Thuy district, Quang Binh province.

12. The Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscape – Quang Ninh

The complex of Yen Tu is associated with the birth, formation, and development of Truc Lam Zen in Vietnam. It’s the ancient Buddhism line founded by King Tran Nhan Tong in the 13th century. At the same time, it is also one of the famous pagodas in Vietnam, attracting a lot of visitors to the pilgrimage every year.

Yen Tu Mountain is a whole forest with hundreds of old, large, and small temples, and shrines looming in the same ancient forest leaves. The quiet space is tinged with spirituality and filled with an enlightened atmosphere of Buddhism. It keeps infusing the pure energy of heaven and earth into every breath and step of the visitor.

Yen Tu has always been one of the Buddhist centers of the country. The place has many ancient architectures built over several periods under the Tran, Le, and Nguyen dynasties. Most people come here to pray to Buddha for peace, see the landscapes, or go on a pilgrimage at the beginning of the year. Stretching from the foot of the mountain to the peak, Yen Tu has a lot of famous temples, towers, and pagodas in Vietnam. There are Dong Pagoda, Quynh Lam, Giai Oan, Van Tien, Bao Sai, Thanh Long, Hoa Yen, Cam Thuc, etc.

Places to Visit in The Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscape

Because it is seen as a complex of monuments, this place is divided into many separate monumented areas for convenient management and sightseeing, including:

• The historical sites of the Tran dynasty include the Phong Temple, An Sinh Temple, Ngoa Van Shrine Quynh Lam Pagoda, etc.
• The heritage sites of West Yen Tu include Am Trai Pagoda, Suoi Mo Relic, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, etc.
• The heritage sites of East Yen Tu including the Con Son area, Kiep Bac area, and Thanh Mai Pagoda
• The Bach Dang historical site includes the Giang stakeyard, King Ba Temple, Tran Hung Dao Temple, etc.

As a low mountain range of Dong Trieu, a geological region with complex terrain, Yen Tu is a spiritual tourist destination with magnificent scenery. Especially, Yen Tu sacred peak with ancient architecture as a part of the mountainous nature at the country’s northernmost point.

At an altitude of 1068m, the whole Yen Tu sacred peak is like a large lotus throne, with each stone as a blooming lotus leaf. People cross 6000m from the foot of the mountain to come here not only to pray but also as a spiritual means. Finding a feeling of inner peace.

Address: Thuong Yen Cong town, in the West of Uong Bi town, Quang Ninh province.

13. Ba Vang Pagoda – Uong Bi

The establishment of Ba Vang Pagoda was more than 300 years ago, during the reign of King Le Du Tong in 1706. Over hundreds of years, the pagoda has been repaired and embellished many times. Today, the pagoda has a magnificent beauty. It’s hiding many things that waiting for people to discover.

Featuring the beauty of the Northern Vietnam temples, Ba Vang Pagoda is divided into 3 pavilions, a backroom for Buddhist worship, one for Mother worship, and one for Đức Ông worship. Moreover, Ba Vang Pagoda is well-known for being the largest Great Hall among Vietnam pagodas.

Attractions of Ba Vang Pagoda

Before stepping into the pagoda, you will be surprised by the system of statues designed extremely unique and eye-catching with a height of over 2 meters. Among those statues, you will be most impressed with Amitabha Buddha, which is made of the largest wood in North Vietnam.

Another attraction that you cannot ignore is the giant water well that never runs out. The well is associated with a story told by the ancients. If anyone drinks water from this well, all diseases will be destroyed, and that person will always be healthy. Thus, many tourists come here only hoping to have the opportunity to take a sip of the holy water.

Also, Ba Vang Pagoda is famous for its artificial Penjing but built in a very natural way. Coming here, you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. The place makes your soul calm and gets rid of the unfortunate.

In addition to the above locations, a few other spots in the complex of Ba Vang Pagoda that you cannot miss visiting are Dai Hung Great Hall, Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Arhats Corridor, etc.

Address: Ba Vang Mountain, Quang Trung ward, Uong Bi city, Quang Ninh province.

14. Tu Van Pagoda – Cam Ranh

Tu Van Pagoda was built in 1968. Undergoing historical events of the country during the war years, Tu Van Pagoda is not only a place of the pure spiritual practice of monks but one of the well-known Vietnam pagodas that attract numerous Buddhists and visitors from many parts of the country.

When entering Tu Van Pagoda, you can see corals and seashells everywhere. Particularly, there is the Bao Tich Tower, a fairly elaborate construction built by monks at the pagoda. This 39m high tower was built in 1995. Nonetheless, to complete, it took the monks 5 years, from designing, collecting, and purchasing materials, to constructing the tower.

Next to Bao Tich Tower, you cannot miss the journey to the “18 floors of hell”. It’s a 500m long, dark, humid, and winding tunnel. Through each door, you will know about the treatments at hell for each of the different crimes.

After passing “18 floors of hell”, you will reach Nai Ha Bridge. It’s where you will end your journey and return to the earth through a door at the mouth of a dragon. Although these are only conceptions in the Dharma, surely when you end your journey here, you will find your heart more serene to continue your beautiful life. Definitely, this will be the most interesting experience for you on the journey to explore Tu Van Pagoda.

Address: 3/4 Street, Cam Ranh City.

15. Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda – Da Nang City

Da Nang has 3 pagodas named Linh Ung the same. Those all are located in favorable positions in Da Nang City. The first pagoda is Linh Ung Non Nuoc which is located on the Water Hill of the Marble Mountains. The second one is Linh Ung Ba Na. And finally, the Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda that located halfway up the mountain of Son Tra Peninsula. Of all three beautiful Vietnam pagodas, Linh Ung Bai But seems to be a little more popular than the other two temples. Perhaps, this is because Linh Ung Bai But is the largest, the newest, and the most beautiful of those three Vietnam temples.

Visiting Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda

To be considered, this famous pagoda has the largest Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva statue in Southeast Asia. Indeed, the Buddha statue is 67m high, standing on a lotus with a diameter of 35m. The statue is leaning back on Son Tra mountain, with eyes overlooking the human world and the sea. One Buddha’s hand is holding a jar, and the other hand is making a blessing to the people of the coastal city. The fishermen who are floating on the sea, whenever looking at the Buddha on the mainland, have their hearts more stable on each rising wave.

In a tourism development city like Da Nang, “having” a Vietnam Buddha temple is famous both for its sacredness and its monumental architecture. Linh Ung Bai But became a famous Vietnam pagoda. Every year, many visitors come here to pray, especially at festivals held at the temple. Not only that, when coming here, seeing the gentle face that’s looking at the sea of ​​the statue Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, you can also feel serene and peaceful.

Standing on Linh Ung Bai But Pagoda, you can also see Da Nang Bay with turquoise water, a part of the Son Tra peninsula with a contour of the sea, far away is the famous Marble Mountains and Cham Islands, Van Pass, etc. In the evening, if you look down from the pagoda’s gate, you can admire the beauty of Da Nang city at night, with light trails illuminating an entire sea street.

Address: Hoang Sa, Tho Quang, Son Tra district, Da Nang.

16. Bridge Pagoda – Hoi An

For a long time, Bridge Pagoda isn’t only a tourist symbol of Hoi An Ancient Town, but it’s the soul bridge of the land and the local people. Bridge Pagoda is a piece connecting the past, the present, and the future. The bridge spanning 400 years of history has entered the subconscious of every child born and raised in the land of Hoi An with thousand years of nostalgia. Today, the pagoda is still there, majestic but taciturn as a witness to the glorious history but still a bright place in the town.

Bridge Pagoda is called a pagoda but it doesn’t worship Buddha. Instead, it’s dedicated to Xuanwu, a protector of the region, who brings joy and happiness to people on this land. Therefore, every year, both residents and tourists visit here. It’s not only a place to visit and explore but also to find a little peace and tranquility for the souls that have been disturbed.

With top-notch beauty in architecture, Bridge Pagoda was recognized as a National Historical-Cultural Site in 1990. It’s a very attractive destination to visit in Hoi An. Yet, not so many guests notice that the image of Bridge Pagoda is printed on the VND 200,000 polymer bill of Vietnam. Needless to say, this pagoda has great value and importance both in the spiritual and real life of the locals in particular, and the Vietnamese in general.

Address: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province.

17. Thien Mu Pagoda, or Linh Mu Pagoda – Hue

Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as Linh Mu Pagoda, is one of the most ancient temples in Vietnam. Located on the hill of Ha Khe, on the left bank of the Perfume River, this beautiful pagoda is 5km to the West of Hue city center. You can take a boat on the Perfume River or a road trip to Hung Long commune to visit this temple.

Coming to Thien Mu Pagoda, you will be surprised by its poetic beauty in the harmony of the natural scenery with mountains and clouds. The scenery at the temple is very beautiful and charming. In addition to visiting the temple, you can use the service “Dragon Boat on the Perfume River” to see the scene as well as this beautiful temple in a more overview.

Thien Mu Pagoda is also considered to be the most ancient and monumental pagoda in Hue. The architectural works included in Thien Mu Pagoda such as Tam Quan Gate, Phuoc Duyen Tower, Huong Nguyen Communal House, Dai Hong Chung, steles, stone turtles, a bell tower, Buddha statues, etc. Among those, Phuoc Duyen Tower is the top famous symbol of Thien Mu Pagoda. The tower was built in 1844 – 1845 under Emperor Thieu Tri. This 21m high tower has 7 floors and each floor is an altar of a Buddha.

If you have an opportunity to travel to Hue, make sure you don’t miss visiting and praying in Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the biggest temples in Vietnam.

Address: Ha Khe hill, Huong Long Ward, Hue.

18. Long Son Pagoda – Nha Trang

Nha Trang City is not only well-known for its fine local cuisine and relaxing mud baths but also a land with sacred Vietnam temples and pagodas for visitors to find inner peace. On top of that, there is Long Son Pagoda.

Traveling to the land Nha Trang, any pilgrims won’t miss visiting Long Son Pagoda. It’s a well-known Vietnam Buddha temple full of incense and people come in and out all the time. Indeed, Long Son is as quiet as a cradle that lulls the soul to the scene of calmness. Long Son quietly listens to the hearts, feelings, and dreams of so many pilgrims. Long Son is gentle by its sacredness.

Coming to Long Son Pagoda, you can see the whole city of Nha Trang as stretching to the sea from a high level. Come to this beautiful temple to let your spirits roam on the peaceful stream. Coming to Long Son to enjoy the pagoda’s rare scenery.

Address: no. 22, 23/10 street, Phuong Son, Nha Trang.

19. Po Nagar Cham Towers – Nha Trang

2 km to the North of Nha Trang city center, the sacred Po Nagar Cham Towers is located neatly on a small hill by the gentle Cai River. The hill is airy with a 50 m altitude above sea level. From afar, you can easily recognize the tower because of its unique architecture and shape.

The Story of Lady Po Nagar

Visiting Po Nagar Cham Towers, of course, you will hear stories about the legend of Lady Po Nagar, or Thiên Y Thánh Mẫu in Vietnamese. As well, there are many other stories about the gods worshiped here. In the past, the Cham people in Khanh Hoa province worshiped the goddess Po Nagar. She was always there to protect and take care of the lives of people, helping them to have land for living and cultivating. As the ancient Chams’ beliefs, Thiên Y Thánh Mẫu is a superior god, who’s worshiped by every person. She was the one who regenerated soil, water, trees, and food for the people. Therefore, the Chams regarded her as the origin of life.

Inside Po Nagar Cham Towers

Entering the main gate, you can have a general view of the whole area. Po Nagar Cham Towers’ relic area is divided into 3 sections from the bottom up that correspond to 3 architectural floors. Inside, the tower is decorated with eye-catching sculptures describing the activities of the community at that period: hunting, boating, singing, and dancing. Furthermore, besides the main tower which is dedicated to Lady Po Nagar, there are other temples of Shiva, Sanhaka, and Ganeka.

It can be seen that the Po Nagar Cham Towers is a piece of clear evidence for the strong influence of Hinduism on the Chams, and later on the Vietnamese. Coming to Po Nagar Cham Towers from Mar 21 to 23 lunar calendar, you will have an opportunity to participate in the Lady Po Nagar festival. This is the best time to learn about Po Nagar as well as immerse yourself in the cultural activities of the locals.

Address: 2/4 street, Vinh Phuoc ward, Nha Trang city.

20. Big Buddha Temple – An Giang

Big Buddha Temple, or Big Buddha Monastery, is a beautiful Buddhist temple in Vietnam. Furthermore, it’s also one of the ancient Vietnam temples that was affected by the Vietnam War.

The Big Buddha Temple was built in 1912, in a large area near the top of the mountain (at an altitude of 526m above the sea). The reason for such a name is because of the 1.8m height of the Buddha statue. At that time, this statue was taller than other worshiping statues in the area. And so-called, to distinguish from another Little Buddha Pagoda in the east, also on this mountain.

The temple had a long time being deserted after Cao Van Long, who was the first person to build and practice at the temple, was captured by the French colonialists. In 1914, the administrative police of An Khanh village came to Cam Mountain and saw the ruined scene of the temple. He then came back and requested a rebuilding of the temple. After facing a lot of problems created by the government of the French colonialists during that period, he was able to preserve the statue and the temple till now.

Currently, the Big Buddha Temple is being renovated on the old foundation. It is expanding the area up to 13.6ha, including the great hall, the bell house, the rest house, the electricity, and water system, etc. for worshiping and pilgrim purposes.

Address: Cam Mountain, An Hao town, Tinh Bien ward, An Giang province.

21. Phuoc Dien Pagoda – An Giang

Hang Pagoda, or Phuoc Dien Pagoda as many people call it, is located on the slopes of Sam Mountain, Chau Doc City. In fact, it is a famous landscape of An Giang province and a National Historic Landmark of Vietnam. Phuoc Dien Pagoda is about 1km away from the ruins of Tay An Pagoda, Ba Chua Xu Temple, and Thoai Ngoc Hau Mausoleum, along the Sam – Nha Bang mountain route.

Initially, around 1840 – 1850, this beautiful Vietnam temple was just a shrine made of bamboo and leaves. The shrine was created by Le Thi Tho, born in 1818, to be a place of spiritual practice, at a young age. As old stories told, there were two snakes, a green and a white, who visited her every day to listen to her Mantra. They both disappeared at the same time she passed away in 1899. Today, some people still circulate her Dharma Talks with the main idea is doing good to avoid evil.

In 1885, this pagoda was rebuilt to be the foundation of today’s architecture. It was renovated the second time in 1937. And currently, Phuoc Dien Pagoda is still going on the third development.

Visiting Phuoc Dien Pagoda

From the temple gate, you will climb about 300m of different steps to the main area. Phuoc Dien Pagoda has 11m in the front, and 10m in the side. In addition, it has a high floor of greenstone, covered with cement, tiled, brick walls of limestone tiles, reinforced concrete pillars, and large roofing. In front of the pagoda, there is a tall pillar with over 20m in height. Besides that, to the left and right of the main hall, there are other buildings for monks’ study and activities. At the bottom of the pagoda are a couple of lively lion statues. Standing here, you can look at the high mountains or immense fields.

On July 10, 1980, the Ministry of Culture and Information of Vietnam recognized Hang Pagoda, or Phuoc Dien Pagoda, as a National Historic Site.

Address: Sam Mountain, Chau Doc City, An Giang Province.

22. Ba Chua Xu Temple – An Giang

Ba Chua Xu Temple is always the top destination when people think of Chau Doc City. With the sacredness and fulfillment of wishes, Ba Chua Xu Pagoda attracts millions of visitors every year to come and worship. The temple is not only the cultural and religious center of the An Giang people in particular and people in the Mekong Delta in general but also an attractive spiritual tourist destination during holidays and New Year times.

According to French archaeologist Louis Malleret, who researched in 1941, the statue of Ba Chua Xu at Sam Mountain is a kind of Vishnu, a god in Hinduism. The statue is figured nobly with high-quality stone, resulting in high artistic value. The statue was carved at the end of the 6th century. Possibly, it is one of the ancient artifacts left over from the ancient Oc Eo culture.

In 2009, the Ba statue was recorded in the An Giang Record Book as the oldest sandstone statue in Vietnam and had the most worshiped clothes. Recently, Ba Chua Xu Pagoda has been the “highlight” as one of the sacred Vietnam temples and attractive spiritual tourism of the Mekong Delta. People living in Ho Chi Minh City can visit the pagoda and travel around Chau Doc City within a day.

Address: under Sam Mountain foot, Chau Doc city, An Giang province.

23. Dai Tong Lam Pagoda – Ba Ria Vung Tau

Dai Tong Lam Pagoda is 70km from Ho Chi Minh City. Located on Highway 51K in Tan Thanh District, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, it is very convenient for you to spend a visit while on your way to Vung Tau Beach. The pagoda covers an area of ​​54 hectares. It’s placed in a quiet space surrounded by luxuriant greenery, built by Venerable Thich Thien Hoa in 1964.

Dai Tong Lam Pagoda has an architectural complex. There are temples, monasteries, retreats, Buddhist colleges, and places for the practice of monks and nuns from all regions. Especially, the massive architecture has helped this pagoda set 4 national records:

1. The pagoda with the largest great hall of 3,000m2.
2. The pagoda has the largest monolithic Buddha Maitreya statue weighing more than 40 tons.
3. The one pagoda has the most Buddha statues with more than 10,000.
4. The pagoda with most concentrated monks and nuns up to 1,250 people.

What’s There in Dai Tong Lam Pagoda?

The campus of this pagoda places many statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. However, the highlight of Dai Tong Lam Pagoda is the ecstatic area with 48 Amitabha Buddha statues made of marble, 3.3 meters high and weighing 3.5 tons, molded in concrete and put in the middle of the vast space of heaven and earth. The entrance is coolly tiled. It helps to soothe the heat of summer for visitors to come to burn incense and pray. In addition, this place also has the Three Giant Buddhas standing towering in the immense space, below is a large aquarium with blue water.

As one of the most beautiful Vietnam pagodas, Dai Tong Lam is a worth-visiting destination for your soul and mind. Stepping into the great hall of Dai Tong Lam, you will feel the tranquility of the soul from the architectural style, stately statues, and temple bells echoing. From the four sides of the great hall, you can see the scenery outside with the trees and the blue sky, making your mind pretty much relaxed.

Address: Highway 51K, Phu My town, Tan Thanh district, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

24. Ba Thien Hau Pagoda – Binh Duong

Ba Thien Hau Pagoda is known to the indigenous people as the sacred Ba Pagoda (Chùa Bà), or Thien Hau Room (Thiên Hậu Cung). Now, people still don’t know when Ba Thien Hau Pagoda was built, only know its first location was Huong Chu Hieu Canal. In 1923, after the pagoda was heavily damaged by fire, the four Chinese groups here including Chaozhou, Guangdong, Hakka, and Fujian joined together to rebuild the pagoda as in its present location.

Inside Ba Thien Hau Pagoda

This temple consists of three rows of houses, in the middle is the main hall with three words “Thien Hau Cung”, meaning Thien Hau Room. Two rows of the houses next to it are considered as East Room and West Room of the temple. On the two main doors are four words “Quốc Thái Dân An”, meaning a peaceful country gives people peace of mind. And on the two sides are couplets praising the merit of the Lady Thien Hau. At the main palace, people worship the righteous Lady Thien Hau, the statue is decorated with a solemn cloak and is always renewed. On the right is worshiping Mr. Bon or Bon De Cong. And on the left is worshipping the five elements lady goddesses symbolizing: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

The Thien Hau festival takes place on Jan 14th of the lunar month. This event is meant to bring light, scent, and good luck to your family. On the 15th, the palanquin procession of Lady Thien Hau, the main event, attracts the most people as well as the most fun at this festival. This ceremony has the participation of more than 30 lion-dance unions creating a crowded and bustling atmosphere, dispelling all fatigue of everyday life.

Address: no. 4 Nguyen Du Street, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province.

25. Vietnam Temples and Pagodas on Con Dao Island

There is an offshore archipelago that belongs to Ba Ria Vung Tau province, called Con Dao, which is 97 nautical miles from Vung Tau city, and 45 nautical miles from Hau River. The island is famous for its pristine beautiful beaches, and fine white sand that fascinates any visitors. In addition, the air on the island is very fresh like a resort paradise, which is a great destination for those who are looking to “escape” the noise and hustling in the city. Notwithstanding, many people come to Con Dao to take part in a spiritual trip, heading to the sacred Vietnam temples and pagodas.

Indeed, Con Dao Island is small. And you can visit all the temples and pagodas on the island within a day. Your list of those sacred destinations will have:

Ba Phi Yen Temple

Phi Yen Temple, also known as An Son Temple. It is an ancient temple built in 1785 (later rebuilt in 1958) to worship Phi Yen, the second wife of King Nguyen Anh. Like many other Vietnam temples, Phi Yen Temple is very sacred. Likewise, it is associated with the tragic story of a talented, patriotic woman. After her death, the people on the island deeply mourned her. They created a big, beautiful temple to worship the mighty woman.

Nui Mot Pagoda or Van Son Pagoda

Nui Mot Pagoda or Van Son Pagoda is located on Mot Mountain, which was built in 1964. Over a period of degradation, the pagoda was started to be embellished on August 13, 2010, and inaugurated on December 4, 2011. Located on a mountain, the pagoda has sweeping views of the sea, overlooking the whole town of Con Dao and Con Son Bay, An Hai Lake.

Hang Duong Cemetery

Formed in 1862, Hang Duong Cemetery is the burial place for tens of thousands of revolutionary soldiers. After the renovation period, the area is over 19,000m2, divided into zones A, B, C, and D. Each zone is associated with each historical period and names of dead heroic soldiers such as Le Hong Phong, Vo Thi Sau, Nguyen An Ninh, Cao Van Ngoc, Le Van Viet, etc. Particularly, Area D has 157 graves, most of them anonymous tombs collected from the Hon Cau and Hang Keo cemeteries.

There are Pier 914, Hang Keo Cemetery, Ba Phi Yen’s Son Temple, and many shrines located around the island that people all spend their time visiting.

Address: around Con Son island, Ba Ria Vung Tau province.

26. Linh Phuoc Pagoda – Dalat

This is one of the most famous Vietnam Buddhist temples in the dreamland that you shouldn’t miss if you have an opportunity to travel to Dalat City. The pagoda was built in 1949. And in 1990, it was rebuilt on a much larger scale with the unique crockery mosaic architecture.

What makes the specialty of Linh Phuoc Pagoda is the architecture made by different pieces of terracotta, glass, porcelain, and crockery bottles. Because of this difference, this beautiful Vietnam pagoda is also known as the “Bottles Pagoda”. However, Linh Phuoc Pagoda still keeps the country’s traditional sculpture of architecture.

The pagoda has an area of ​​6,666.84 m2. The great hall is 33m long and 12m wide with two rows’ columns of crockery dragons. Above are the images of Amitabha Buddha’s history and the Sutra. Besides, Linh Phuoc Pagoda also has a dragon statue 49m in length and 1.3m in width. To create the contour lines for the dragon’s body, people do not carve on concrete but use up to 12,000 bottles to make the body of the dragon.

Among the Buddhist temples in Vietnam, Linh Phuoc Pagoda is a remarkable destination in Dalat for visitors because of its unique architecture. Coming here, people admire the splendid beauty of the colorful porcelain and crockery pieces of the pagoda. Alongside, being a spiritual place, the pagoda could help your soul relax in an ancient meditation place.

Address: 120 Tu Phuoc street, ward 11, Dalat.

27. Truc Lam Zen Monastery – Dalat

Referring to the Vietnam temples, it is impossible not to mention Truc Lam Zen Monastery, one of the most solemn and majestic spiritual destinations in the Highlands region.

This beautiful monastery was built in 1993 and completed about a year later. Located on Phung Hoang Mountain, next to Tuyen Lam Lake, Truc Lam Zen Monastery significantly impresses the hearts of visitors with its majestic Buddhist architectural works interspersed with sacredness. Additionally, this Vietnam Buddhist temple highlights its beauty with the artificial lake added many colorful fishes, and the ornamental garden in front of the great hall with all kinds of flowers in full color.

Standing in front of Truc Lam Zen Monastery, you can have a view of the Tuyen Lam Lake, which is hidden in the shadow of vast pine forests. On the other hand, from the lake, you can follow the small path with 140 steps, through the vast pine forest to reach the monastery above.

With an area of ​​nearly 24 acres, the monastery is the school to hundreds of monks and nuns of all ages. In particular, with the solemn precepts, and the pure religious environment, Truc Lam Zen Monastery is admired by many domestic and foreign Buddhists, looking forward to coming to visit and pray.

Address: 5km from Dalat City, on Phung Hoang Mountain, above Tuyen Lam Lake.

28. Giac Lam Pagoda – Ho Chi Minh City

In the bustling routine of Ho Chi Minh City, when people are busy working and finding great Saigon foods, there is still a calm, 300-year-old Buddhist pagoda that accompanies the development of Vietnamese people.

The architecture of Giac Lam Pagoda, which is a folk style with 4 main columns, is considered a symbol of Buddhist temples in Vietnam. In the past, there was no Tam Quan gate. However, in 1955, people established this gate and called the name.

The main space consists of many large columns. In this area, there are many wood-carved images. Especially, Giac Lam Pagoda has many precious Buddha statues such as Amitabha Buddha, Gautama Buddha, Bodhisattva Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, etc.

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

29. Jade Emperor Pagoda – Ho Chi Minh City

Jade Emperor Pagoda is a sacred temple that is located quietly and peacefully right in the heart of the city center. Similarly to other pagodas in Vietnam, Ngoc Hoang Pagoda is dressed in a beauty of holiness that attracts many tourists and indigenous pilgrims. Evenly, President Obama visited the pagoda during his trip to Vietnam in May 2016.

The pagoda campus is about 2,300m2. There is a small shrine of Dharmapala in the front. The Tam Quan Gate is highlighted as the water-wave shape of two dragons disputing the jewel ball. In the middle, there is a large fish tank of oversized fish. Sometimes they have turtles in the tank.

Inside the pagoda, there are primarily three buildings: the Front Room, the Middle Room, and the Great Hall. The Great Hall is dedicated to the Jade Emperor, and the divine army and generals. Alongside this, the pagoda worships Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and familiar gods in Chinese beliefs. To elaborate, the God of Thunder, the Door Keeper God, the God of Earth, the God of Kitchen, the God of Water, the God of Literature, the God of Lucky Stars, the God of Vocation, 13 Gods of Virtues, etc. Additionally, the pagoda also worships the God of Fortune. In general, the statues worshiped in Jade Emperor Pagoda are all beautiful wooden sculptures.

Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu street, Da Kao ward, district 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

30. Thien Hau Temple – Ho Chi Minh City

In the middle of the bustling and hustling Ho Chi Minh City, there is still a separate corner to cool your soul, and despite all the obstacles, rivalry drifts into that quiet space at Thien Hau Pagoda.

Thien Hau Temple is located in the heart of the city. It’s a spiritual house that has a great influence on cultural life, especially for the Chinese people there. After 256 years of existence, Thien Hau is one of Vietnam’s ancient temples but still retains its unique architecture despite many renovations and repairs. Not only that, everything here seems to have been incubated by the time to make the space more solitary. Stepping through the small gate will get you lost in a place that is both somewhat mysterious and familiar at the same time to find inner peace.

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

31. Vietnamese National Pagoda – Ho Chi Minh City

VietnameseNational Pagoda, or Viet Nam Quoc Tu, is located on the basis of four pieces of land, formerly 16 Tran Quoc Toan Street, Sai Gon, and now 244 3/2 Street in Ho Chi Minh City. I mentioned the two pagoda addresses as it is the witness of the country’s history, from the Vietnam War till now.

Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam built the pagoda on the land, which was belonged to Saigon, in early 1964. In 1975 when Vietnam was liberated, the government temporarily requisitioned the pagoda after 10 years of being deserted. In 1993, 5 years after a venerable abbot requested to return the pagoda, and after 10 more years of collecting donations, the pagoda was finally built and finished in its current shape.

Now, although with a tower of only 7 floors and 3,712m2 in the area, the existence of the Vietnamese National Pagoda expresses joy for the noble Buddhists who give their lives to the nation and Dharma. Both the pagoda and the temple together mix in the harmony and fancifulness of Buddhism, expressed by a heart after 5 years of calling return, and 10 years of the restoration process creating the solemn Buddha scene of the Vietnamese National Pagoda now and forever.

Address: 244 3/2 street, ward 12, district 10, Ho Chi Minh City.

32. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda – Ho Chi Minh City

Located right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda with its large campus and massive architecture attracts thousands of visitors every month.

The pagoda’s campus is about 6,000m2. The main style of buildings’ roofs is designed as soaring, each delicately carved and sculpted. Within the campus, the main parts include, in specific:

1. Tam Quan Gate

Tam Quan Gate is a monumental structure of a traditional-styled pagoda with a curved red tile roof. From here, you can have a panoramic view of the whole campus. The yard is vast. Opposite the Tam Quan gate is the central building and on the left of the temple yard is the 7-floor tower.

2. The Central Building

This is a solid and majestic building including 1 upper floor and 1 ground floor.

The ground floor has 2 parts: the outer part which is below the terrace with 3.20m high, and the inside is below the Great Hall with 4.20m high. Inside, the space is divided into a worship place with the altar of Bodhidharma, lecture hall, office, library, restroom, and classrooms.

From the temple courtyard, there is a 23-step staircase that leads to the upper floor of the central building including the terrace, the Buddha Hall, and the Bodhisattva Tower.

3. Bodhisattva Tower

Located on the left when coming from the entrance of the temple, the tower has 7 floors with nearly 40m in height. This is one of the most massive Buddhist towers in Vietnam.

4. Tower of Community Relic

Built in 1982, there are 4 floors with 25m high. This is the place to hold the ashes of the dead bodies that their families send and preserve at the temple.

5. Vinh Nghiem Stone Tower

You will see the tower on the right as soon as you enter the temple. This tower was built in 2003 to worship the late Venerable Thich Thanh Kiem, one of the two founding monks of the pagoda. Also, this is the first stone tower in the South as well as in the list of the largest and tallest stone towers in Vietnam.

Stepping into Vinh Nghiem pagoda, the atmosphere there will help people feel their hearts are pure and peaceful, with no hustle and bustle among crowded places.

Address: 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia street, ward 7, district 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

33. Ba Den Temple – Tay Ninh

In fact, Ba Den is the highest mountain in the southern part of our country. With a height of about 986m, it is a symbol of the land and people of Tay Ninh province. Among them, the highlight is Ba Den Temple, or Linh Son Tien Thach Pagoda, where the bronze statue of Ba Den is placed. Along with Hang Pagoda (Linh Son Long Chau Pagoda) and Trung Pagoda (Linh Son Phuoc Trung Pagoda), Ba Den is one of the famous Vietnam temples located in the scenic area of ​​Ba Den Mountain.

Millions of tourists come to Ba Den Mountain each year. They come there not only because of the belief of visiting the blessed pagodas but also going there to sightsee a relic, a mountain, or a complex of famous temples in Vietnam. Moreover, visitors come here to find peace in their souls.

The temple was built in the 18th century and has gone under some restoration. Every year, crowded pilgrims cross the mountain to go to the temple to pray. Usually, people come during the Lunar New Year, which lasts all the first month, and the special festival on the 5th and 6th of the fifth lunar month (around June of the normal calendar).

When coming here, you can use the cable car system, about 1,225m long, to go from the foot of the mountain to Ba Den Temple. In contrast, for those who love challenges and adventure, there is a way for you to trek to the temple.

Address: Thanh Tan town, Tay Ninh Province