Top 11 Must-Visit Temples and Pagodas in Vietnam

Are you planning to go to Vietnam soon? If you are a fan of culture and history, find out about the temples and pagodas to discover. In this article, you will enter a fascinating world, filled with exceptional pagodas and temples in Vietnam. Enough to spend a unique stay!

Written by Van Khue (local expert) Updated on 23-11-2024

Comments

1. Religions in Vietnam

The country is located at the crossroads of several major religious and philosophical currents. Communist since 1945, the country has chosen, instead of imposing absolute atheism, to allow different religions to coexist peacefully: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Islam, Caodaism, etc., but also other beliefs practiced fervently by a large majority of the population. Some Vietnamese are atheists, or rather agnostic, and only engage in ancestor worship, a very common traditional Vietnamese practice.

These religions occupy a very important place in the daily life of practicing Vietnamese people. They worship places of worship, most often pagodas and temples Vietnam, which we will focus on in this article. Let's discover together the differences between a temple and a pagoda Vietnam and consult our list of the best buildings to absolutely visit during your trip.

2. What are the differences between temple and pagoda in Vietnam?

It is not easy to know whether a monument is a temple or a pagoda, especially for travelers who are discovering Asia for the first time! The distinction between pagoda and temple is very complex, because of the architectural similarities between these two types of religious monuments.

The Vietnam temple is a building that allows to venerate and pay homage to a God, a goddess and/or an important historical figure, such as a saint of a community. The pagoda, for its part, is a place of worship dedicated to the Buddhas and highlights all the principles of Buddhism. If the Vietnamese temple is most often a place of worship, the Vietnam pagoda is, in addition, the place of residence of the bonzes, who are neither more nor less, the Buddhist monks.

3. Top Vietnam temples not to be missed 

• Van Mieu - Temple of Literature in Hanoi

It is one of the must-see temples in Hanoi during your visit to the capital. The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 and is entirely dedicated to Confucius. You will find a beautiful building in the traditional Vietnamese architectural style, which blends in perfect harmony with the green nature, full of ancient trees, bonsai and flowers.

You will pass through a large ancient entrance portico, admire the middle gate, followed by the Pavilion of the Constellation of Beautiful Letters. The latter is surrounded on both sides by several secondary gates. They are all magnificent and the writings engraved on these gates allude to the evolution of wisdom. This Vietnamese temple also highlights poets and legends, which helps to illustrate the essence of Vietnamese culture. Learn more about: Temple of Literature.

• Ngoc Son Temple – Jade Mountain Temple in Hanoi

Built in the middle of the lake of the sword restored in the 19th century, and whose access is located at the end of the very red bridge of the Rising Sun, the temple Ngoc Son, or temple of the Mountain of Jde, takes its name from the island on which it stands. It was built to pay homage to the genius of Van Xuong, a famous scholar, but also of La To and Quan Cong.

The attraction of Ngoc Son Temple is based on the reconstructions of the giant water turtles, discovered dead in the waters of the lake. These turtles are said to have been key animals in the legend of the magic sword, having helped liberate the country from Chinese domination. A Hanoi temple to visit at the end of the day for a poetic moment with the beautiful lights of the sunset!

• Jade Emperor Temple in Ho Chi Minh City

Built in 1909 in Ho Chi Minh City on an area of over 2000 m2, this Chinese-style temple was made of concave and convex tiles. It is sometimes considered a pagoda, although it is indeed a feudal temple. It has the particularity of housing a large number of ancient ceramic statues and is dedicated to the Jade Emperor. Visitors are often impressed by the pious and fervent atmosphere of the worshipers, but also by many turtles that have decided to live right in front of the temple.

• Caodaist Temple in Tay Ninh

Last in the list of Vietnam temples, but nevertheless most astonishing, we recommend you to discover the very interesting Caodaist temple of Tay Ninh. Very original, it was the Holy Seat of Caodaism, a religion created in 1926 in the south of Vietnam.

Originally, the story goes that God created this religion in order to satisfy the different religious aspirations, which became very popular during the war. Caodaism is therefore a fusion of already existing religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism…

This beautiful blend has given birth to a building that looks like a cathedral from afar, and a temple when you get closer, and a mosque inside, with its patterns and decorations. The emotion is at its peak when the main service, the mass, takes place. The followers of Caodaism line up side by side and fill the entire temple, while being careful to place themselves in the right place. The men will be located on one side and the women on the other. An astonishing and simply extraordinary spiritual and cultural atmosphere!

From Ho Chi Minh City, it is about 83 km to get here.

4. Top Vietnam Pagodas to Visit Absolutely

• Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi

Known as the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a beautiful Buddhist building, located on Goldfish Island in the Great West Lake. You will access it by a beautiful footbridge, lined with areca palms. Tran Quoc Pagoda seduces its visitors with its tower composed of 11 levels, covered with red tiles and surrounded by stupas.

The main pagoda is on the other side of the 11-level tower and overlooks the lake. From there, one can admire the Buddha statues, which are of all sizes and shapes. This spiritual place is truly conducive to meditation. A practicing Buddhist must respect the 8 principles of Buddhism, which are also engraved around the stump of the sacred boddhi tree.

• One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi

Located in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the One Pillar Pagoda Hanoi is actually a small pavilion built on a single pillar and dedicated to the worship of the goddess of universal compassion. Built in 1049, this pretty little construction was ranked as the most original pagoda in Vietnam in 2013. This Hanoi pagoda was built following the dream of an emperor in search of a crown prince.

The dream became a reality and today it is one of the popular places of worship for Vietnamese pilgrims, and many Vietnamese women who wish to have a child. It is also interesting to take a look at the pagoda that is just a stone's throw away from the One Pillar Pagoda Hanoi, which is, unfairly, overshadowed by the crowd, but is still magnificent. More details on: One Pillar Pagoda.

• Perfume Pagoda southwest of Hanoi

The Perfume Pagoda, or Chua Huong, is an important pilgrimage site for the Vietnamese, especially after the New Year, which they visit in large numbers. It is a complex of pagodas built in the Huong Son Mountains, 60 km from Hanoi. From the pier, travelers are invited to take a rowing boat ride of about 45 minutes, before climbing several thousand steps to finally reach the Perfume Pagoda.

The latter is located inside a magnificent cave, located at the top of Huong Son. No one gets tired of this breathtaking walk with a romantic panorama: karst mountains, peaceful river allow you to daydream to your heart's content. If you do not want to climb the thousands of steps to visit the pagoda, it is possible to take one of the cable cars. For more authenticity, and if your physical condition allows it, we recommend that you go up on foot, then go down by cable car to admire the landscapes on your return.

• Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Land Halong Bay

Much more recent than other pagodas in Vietnam, the Bai Dinh Pagoda has just been renovated in 2010 in order to beat all records in terms of size and weight . The Bai Dinh Pagoda located in the terrestrial bay of Ninh Binh owes its reputation to its gallery of 500 stupas of different sizes, its immense bell, considered the largest in Vietnam, for its statue of Buddha plated with gold leaf, considered the largest in Southeast Asia (100 tons) etc ...

For art and history lovers, wishing to discover Buddhism, visiting the Bai Dinh Pagoda is an excellent choice!

• Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady (Thien Mu Pagoda) in Hue

Recognizable from afar with its octagonal tower, Thien Mu Pagoda or the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady, nestles on the Turtle Hill, overlooking the Perfume River in the imperial city of Hue. It offers a breathtaking view of this sublime river. The Pagoda of the Celestial Lady takes its name from the legend of a lady dressed in red sent by God for the prosperity of the region.

While the magnificent Phuoc Duyen Tower welcomes travelers, the Thien Mu main pavilion and the bonsai garden, with the famous Austin car, is a true historical testimony to the self-immolation of Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc in 1963, in the South of Vietnam, an episode that remains deeply engraved in the hearts and memories of the Vietnamese. Thien Mu Pagoda is undoubtedly a must-see attraction during your Hue city tour. Discover the must-sees of Hue.

>>> Read more: Hue Imperial City: Decoding the Architecture and Tips for Visiting

>>> Explore the best of Vietnam with our top 14-day North South Vietnam tour 

• Tu Hieu Pagoda

Less known and visited than the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady, its more famous big sister, the Tu Hieu Pagoda stands out from the other pagodas in the city of Hue by the beauty of its exceptional natural environment and the serenity that reigns in this holy place. Located in a pine forest, in perfect harmony with nature, Tu Hieu invites you to discover this unique place with a Zen atmosphere, ideal for meditation!

A bit of history…

Tu Hieu was built in 1843 under the orders of Emperor Tu Duc. For the people of Hue, this pagoda is rather known as the Eunuch Pagoda, since these figures, having no children, wished to be venerated after their death. For this, they financed the construction of the pagoda and ensured that the monks took care of their worship over time.

Some of the concubines of the imperial court also contributed to the construction of the pagoda in order to be buried there once they died. This is the reason why there are a large number of tombs of eunuchs and imperial concubines in the cemetery of Tu Hieu Pagoda.

On the other hand, followers or fans of Buddhism will be able to (re)learn that Tu Hieu is attached to the life of one of the most famous monks in Vietnam, Thich Nhat Hanh . In 1972, ten years after his arrival in France as a political refugee, Thich Nhat Hanh created the Plum Village Buddhist Center in France where he gave teachings on the art of living and mindfulness.

Thich Nhat Hanh advocates for happiness and the spread of peace throughout the world, particularly in France and the United States. He is also the author of a large collection of books on Buddhism such as Anger: Transforming your energy into wisdom, There is no death or fear, Taking care of the inner child… In 2016, and following a serious stroke, he decided to return to the Tu Hieu pagoda to live out his last days there.

Vinh Trang Pagoda

Vinh Trang Pagoda is one of the most famous pagodas in the Mekong Delta . Built in 1849 in a mixed style, Vinh Trang Pagoda reveals a unique and original architecture, mixing Asian and European architectural styles. Inside Vinh Trang, visitors are impressed by the collection of more than 60 statues dating from the 19th century. As for the exterior, they will marvel at the garden and its immense statues of the goddess of universal compassion, Buddha Maitreya and Buddha Amitaba.

This pagoda, located in the Mekong Delta, is very impressive and is one of a kind. It is undoubtedly worth a visit during your visit to the Mekong Delta, a magnificent and serene Vietnamese region.

These temples and pagodas are unmissable sites during your trip to Vietnam! Their unique architecture, the beauty of their surrounding landscapes and their soothing atmosphere will make you see all the emotions. Do you now want to visit these Vietnamese temples and pagodas?

>>> Also read:

• Discovering Hanoi, the rich cultural and historical capital of Vietnam
• Which museums in Ho Chi Minh City are a must-visit?
• Top 15 Museums in Hanoi: Discover Vietnam through its History and Culture
• That Luang Stupa: A Living Emblem of Laotian Heritage