Top Vietnamese Buddhist Temples
Beside amazing destinations, Vietnam has many ancient Buddhist temples of over 100 years old. These pagodas are not only associated with the religious life of the Vietnamese people from the ancient time but also considered spiritual tourist attractions. Following are top Vietnamese Buddhist temples that own unique features and attracts a large number of tourists from various regions.
One Pillar Pagoda (Hanoi)
This temple has a unique architecture with only one room lying on a stone pillar in the middle of Linh Chieu lake where many lotus flowers are grown. Legend has it that in 1049, the King Ly Thai Tong dreamed Goddess of Mercy sitting on the lotus and leading the king to the seat. When waking up, the king told the story to the servants. Then, he was advised to build the Buddhist temple, the stone columns and the lotus as the seat for Goddess of Mercy like those in the dream.
Besides, the monk goes around the pagoda, chanting intercessions and saying masse for pray. For this reason, the pagoda is named Dien Huu.
One Pillar Pagoda
Perfume Pagoda (Hanoi)
Perfume Pagoda is located in Huong Son Commune, My Duc District. It is situated along the right bank of Day River and is about 60 kilometers from Hanoi. This place is famous for the complex of Vietnamese cultures and religions that consists of dozens of temples and pagodas.
Perfume Pagoda was built in the reign of Le Huy Tong (1680-1705). At the pagoda, there is an ancient stele built-in 1686. This stele tells about the monk Vien Quang's contribution to repairing Huong Tich cave and building Ngoai pagoda. The two remarkable towers are Thien Thuy Tower, which is abraded by rainwater and Vien Cong Tower, which is built of ancient brick. That's why you should not miss Perfume Pagoda Full day tour to know more.
Perfume Pagoda
Dau Pagoda (Bac Ninh)
Dau Pagoda is the first pagoda of Vietnam that was constructed at the beginning of the third century. The pagoda is located in Thanh Khuong commune, Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province and is about 30 kilometres from Hanoi.
This Buddhist temple has the earliest established and is considered the oldest Buddhist centre in Vietnam. The pagoda has other names such as Ca pagoda, Co Chau pagoda, and Dien Ung pagoda. Dau pagoda is one of the most typical pagodas of North Vietnam. It is also regarded as a unique national relics of Vietnam.
Bao Quoc Pagoda (Thua Thien - Hue)
Bao Quoc Pagoda is located on Ham Long hill, Bao Quoc street, Phuong Duc ward, Hue city, Thua Thien - Hue province. At first, The (the XVII century), the pagoda was named Ham Long Son Thien Tho Tu; then in 1747, its name was changed into Sac Tu Bao Quoc by Nguyen Phuc Khoat - one of the Nguyen lords. In 1808, the Queen Hieu Khuong reconstructed the pagoda and gave it a new name Thien Tho. In 1824, King Minh Mang visited the pagoda and gave the name Bao Quoc Tu. In 1940, the Buddhist College was opened at Bao Quoc Pagoda. Since then, the pagoda became a centre for training monks and nuns.
Bao Quoc Pagoda
Giac Lam Pagoda (Ho Chi Minh City)
Giac Lam Pagoda is located at 118 Lac Long Quan Street, Tan Binh District. It is one of the most ancient pagodas of Ho Chi Minh.
The Buddhist temple was originally called Son Can. In 1774, Zen master Linh Nhac (the abbot of Tu An pagoda) appointed his disciple, Zen master Vien Quang to work as the abbot of the pagoda. Also, the name of the pagoda was renamed Giac Lam. The pagoda was built according to the architecture of “Tam” word, including the main hall, lecture hall and the monk. The two sides of the main hall are two sets of Eighteen Arhats, a big set, and a small set.
The pagoda has 133 gold-inlaid statues. All statues, furniture, ancestral tablets, and ancient graves are extremely sophisticatedly carved.
Those mentioned above are some information about famous Buddhist temples in Vietnam. For those who are eager for Vietnamese Buddhism, these sites should be included in their travel itinerary. You can visit our website to get further information about Vietnam Package Tours. Share this article with others if you find it helpful. Thank you!
