Discover the finest Buddhist temples in Vietnam that offer a serene and tranquil environment for meditation and prayer. Vietnam is renowned for its spiritual tourism, boasting numerous exquisite and holy temples. Explore further to learn about these magnificent temples.
1. Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi
Tran Quoc Pagoda, with a history of 1500 years, is recognized as one of the top temples in Vietnam. It was initially constructed by King Ly Nam De (541 – 547) on the banks of Hong River and was named Khai Quoc Pagoda. Throughout the centuries, it has undergone various renovations and relocations and was finally renamed Tran Quoc Pagoda by King Tran Hy Tong in the late 17th century. The pagoda is presently located on a single island east of West Lake in Tay Ho district.
The entrance to Tran Quoc Pagoda is unique, with a gently curved path leading visitors to the temple gate. Upon entering, guests can follow the only red-tiled road, which leads them to the main hall at the center of the inner structures. The corridor extends beyond the main hall, passing through the incense burner and the upper palace, culminating in the bell tower.
The highlight of Tran Quoc Pagoda is its tomb tower, built behind the pagoda, with many ancient towers dating back to the 18th century. The most striking feature of these towers is the 11-floor lotus flower tower, standing 15m tall and built in 1998. Each floor of the tower contains six door cells, each of which houses an Amitabha Buddha statue made of precious stone. On the top of the tower rests a Cuu Pham Lien Hoa stone statue.
Tran Quoc Pagoda is located in Thanh Nien, Yen Phu, Tay Ho, Hanoi, and is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. Cao Dai Temple, Tay Ninh
The Cao Dai Temple was fully constructed in 1955 and is a place of worship for Caodaists. Their belief system centers around the idea that all religions are fundamentally the same and seek to promote tolerance throughout the world. Interestingly, this temple is unique as it honors various spiritual figures such as The Lord Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius, Jesus Christ, Joan of Arc and Julius Cesar.
One of the main activities when visiting the Cao Dai Temple is observing Caodaists during their prayers. Lay followers must dress in long white robes, while priests wear yellow, blue or red robes. During worship sessions, women sit on the left side and men sit on the right. Devotees are arranged in an orderly fashion in between. The construction of the temple is a beautiful blend of Oriental, Neo-Gothic and Baroque designs, with ornate decorations such as seven-headed cobras, dragon-wrapped pillars, and sky-blue ceilings.
Located in Hoa Thanh Town, Hoa Thanh District, Tay Ninh, the Cao Dai Temple is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3. Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh
Bai Dinh Pagoda is known for holding several records, like having the largest bronze Buddha statue and bell in Southeast Asia. It has been standing for almost a millennium, proving the unyielding presence of Buddhism in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people. As one of the national historical and cultural relics in the ancient capital, it holds both spiritual and scenic values.
The temple architecture boasts of large cubes, representing Vietnam’s impressive architectural styles. Materials sourced locally, such as Ninh Binh green stone, Tu Thiet wood, and Bat Trang glazed tiles, were used to construct the pagoda. The Tam Quan gate, bell tower, Quan Am, Phap Chu, and Tam The palaces are the main attractions. Visitors have to go through a long way, mostly consisting of stairs, to access these attractions, symbolizing their patience and desire to reach the pure land.
Located in Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh, Bai Dinh Pagoda opens from 7 AM to 6 PM daily.
4. Temple of Literature, Hanoi
The Temple of Literature was constructed in 1070 by King Ly Thanh Tong in order to pay homage to Confucius and honor the gifted Confucian scholars. Its purpose was to encourage studiousness among the people and cultivate talents for serving the country. It has been in operation as an educational institution since 1076 and is widely recognized as one of Vietnam’s most famous and well-respected temples.
Situated on a sprawling 55,027 square meter site to the south of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Temple of Literature is divided into five distinct areas. The entrance to the temple includes the gate of the Temple of Literature, Dai Trung Mon, Khue Van Cac, Dai Thanh, and Thai Hoc courtyard.
The first area spans from the main gate to the Dai Trung Mon gate, where visitors will find two smaller gates: Thanh Duc and Dat Tai. The second area extends from Dai Trung Mon to Khue Van Cac, which symbolizes Vietnamese education and literature. This architectural masterpiece was built with wooden structures resembling a shining Khue star.
The third area features a large Thien Quang square well that creates a harmonious aquatic space for the temple’s relics. Two rows of steles are also present, each containing the names of the talented scholars who have passed through its halls. The 82 stone steles represent the success of the 82 examinations and are the most valuable artifact at the temple.
Located at No. 58 Van Mieu Street in Dong Da district, Ha Noi, the Temple of Literature is open during specific hours for visitors. During the summer months (from April 15 to October 15), visitors can explore the temple from 7:30am to 6pm. During the winter season, the temple opens slightly later, from 8am to 5pm. A visit to this historic and revered temple is a must-see experience for anyone visiting Vietnam.
5. Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue
Thien Mu Pagoda, established during the reign of King Nguyen Hoang in 1601, is a renowned temple in Vietnam. Despite its turbulent history, Thien Mu remains the oldest and most beautiful temple in the capital city. Its iconic symbol is the Phuoc Duyen tower, which stands 21 meters tall with seven floors containing Buddha statues. The tower is located in front of the temple and has a spiral staircase that leads to the top floor where there used to be a gold-plated Buddha image. Apart from the tower, the pagoda also features other exquisite architectural works such as Dai Hung Palace, Ksitigarbha Palace, Quan Am Palace, stelae, bronze bells, and valuable historical artifacts. Statues of Dharma protectors, Ten Kings statue, Buddha Maitreya statue, Tam The Buddha statue, and galleries with couplets all commemorate significant periods in Thien Mu Pagoda’s history. Located on the banks of the Huong River, Thien Mu Pagoda’s ancient architecture adds to the charming, solemn, and sacred natural scenery.
Thien Mu Pagoda is located in Huong Hoa, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue. It is open from 8 am to 6 pm. To locate the temple, use the following coordinates: 16.453148788644764 latitude and 107.54263801463193 longitude.
6. Van Thuy Tu Temple, Binh Thuan province
Van Thuy Tu Temple is one of the most remarkable temples in Vietnam due to its historical and architectural significance. It was founded by a fisherman named Thuy Tu back in 1762, who built it to worship the whale. The temple’s architecture follows the Tu Tru style, which employs all rafters, pillars, and compartments derived from four central pillars.
The wooden structure system of Van Thuy Tu Temple is made up of precious woods and carefully assembled with meticulous carvings. Compared to many other Van temples that worship Hai Than along the coast of Binh Thuan, Dinh Van Thuy Tu Temple has a unique ancient architecture still preserved in its original state, retaining an abundance of Han-Nom cultural heritage related to fishing.
If you plan to visit Van Thuy Tu Temple, it is located on Ngu Ong Street, Duc Thang Ward, Phan Thiet City in Binh Thuan Province. The temple is open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM for visitors to explore its rich cultural and historical significance.
7. Jade Emperor Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City
Located on Mai Thi Luu Street in Da Kao, District 1 of Ho Chi Minh is the Jade Emperor Pagoda – an ancient temple originally built by a man named Luu Minh from Guangdong, China in the early part of the 20th century. The temple was designed in the style of Chinese architecture and features decorative motifs, brick construction, yin and yang tile-covered roofs, roof edges adorned with colorful ceramic statues, and three palaces inside, with the main palace dedicated to worshiping the Jade Emperor, Huyen Thien Bac De, along with natural soldiers and generals
Although the temple was renamed Phuoc Hai in 1984, people still refer to it as the Jade Emperor Pagoda. It is open to visitors from 7 am to 6 pm daily and offers a unique glimpse into the rich history and culture of this part of Vietnam.
8. Perfume Pagoda, Hanoi
The construction of the Huong Pagoda was completed on a grand scale towards the end of the 17th century. However, it was destroyed during the anti-French resistance war in 1947. It was only in 1988 that it was rebuilt by Thuong Thich Vien Thanh. Huong Pagoda is not just renowned in Vietnam but is also considered one of the finest temples in Southern Asia. It is a major tourist attraction in Hanoi that draws people from all over the world.
There are several places within the Huong Pagoda complex that visitors should not miss, such as Trinh Temple, Huong Tich Temple, Cua Vong Temple, Oan Prize Pagoda, and Tien Son Cave. The Huong Pagoda Festival, which takes place during early spring, holds great spiritual significance for those who follow Vietnamese culture. The festival commences on the 6th of January and generally lasts until the third week of the third lunar month. During this time, millions of Buddhists and tourists flock to the Huong Pagoda Festival from the four provinces.
Huong Pagoda is located in Huong Son, My Duc, Hanoi, and remains open from 8 am to 4 pm. Visitors can use Google Maps to locate the pagoda accurately.
9. Giac Lam Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City
The Giac Lam Pagoda was constructed in the spring of 1744 by layman Ly Thuy Long during the reign of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat. Initially called Son Can, which means “painted mountain” in Vietnamese, it later became known as Cam Son because of its location on Cam Son mound. The pagoda has a unique Tam-shaped architecture consisting of three interconnected sections: the main hall, lecture hall, and street (also known as Ong Giam’s house).
The palace hall of Giac Lam Pagoda has a traditional design similar to that of a traditional folk house with four main columns or pillars and two wings. Inside, there are 56 large pillars intricately carved and the space is quite spacious and deep.
If you’re planning to visit, Giac Lam Pagoda can be found at 565 Lac Long Quan, Ward 10, Tan Binh, Ho Chi Minh City. It opens its doors from 8 am to 4 pm daily.
10. One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi
The One Pillar Pagoda is an essential tourist attraction for anyone visiting Vietnam. Its construction dates back to 1049 when King Ly Thai Tong built it, and it has since become one of the country’s most remarkable temples. The temple’s architecture is quite unique, shaped like a lotus flower blooming on water, which symbolizes Buddhism’s purity and nobility. Therefore, it is also known as Lien Hoa Dai.
The entire temple space stands on a stone pillar located under Linh Chieu Lake, consisting of two stone blocks cleverly mounted as one to create a unique architectural design. The pagoda comprises several precious woods that were carefully chosen while the roof tiles boast exquisitely delicate patterns.
The temple’s interior holds a statue of Quan Am Buddha with sophisticated decoration, modeled after King Ly Thai Tong’s dream of the Buddha sitting on a lotus flower. To access the temple, visitors must climb thirteen brick steps, and on the stairs, you can find stone steles briefly introducing the temple’s history.
Aside from the unique architectural features, the One Pillar Pagoda represents the epitome of Eastern philosophy. Many scholars believe that the temple’s space is built in harmony with the yin and yang philosophy. The square shape of the pagoda depicts the yin symbol, while the circle-shaped pillar supporting it signifies the yang symbol, representing the harmony between heaven and earth, birth and death, and yin-yang.
One Pillar Pagoda is located in Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, and opens daily from 7 am to 6 pm. It is surrounded by low brick walls, and Linh Chieu Lake borders it.
11. Keo Pagoda, Thai Binh Province
The Keo Pagoda, located in Duy Nhat commune, Vu Thu district, Thai Binh province in Vietnam, has an ancient origin. It was built on the land of Keo village in 1061 during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong and was initially named Nghiem Quang Tu. The pagoda retains its unique and ancient Vietnamese temple architecture despite nearly 400 years of existence and numerous embellishments. The pagoda boasts many structures, including Tam Ngoai Quan, Tam Quan Noi, Buddha Pagoda, Ong Ho pagoda, Ong Muong, Tam Bao, Gia Roi, Thieu Huong, Phu Quoc, Thuong Dien, and finally Gac Chuong.
The bell tower is a famous piece of architecture at Keo Pagoda, showcasing a unique wooden artwork typical for ancient Vietnamese architecture in the Le Dynasty. It has three floors and stands 11m tall, resting on a square brick floor connected by painted mountains. Every year on January 4th, the Keo Temple Festival takes place. The Management Board of Thai Binh Province Relics conducted research on the site’s history. Keo Pagoda welcomes visitors every day from 8 am to 4 pm.
12. Quan Cong Temple, Quang Nam Province
The Quan Cong Temple, also known as Ong Pagoda, was constructed in the mid-17th century by both the Vietnamese people and the Minh Huong community living in Hoi An. The temple boasts of four buildings, including a vestibule, two left-wing areas, and a large hall designed in an aperture form to avoid overlapping. The building’s roof tiles are distinctly adorned with intricate dragon motifs, adding to its architectural beauty.
Inside the main hall, visitors can see three statues, including that of Quan Cong, Chau Thuong (his brave and loyal servant), and Quan Binh Nghia Tu, along with two life-sized horse statues. These artworks were finely crafted to showcase the skilled hands of artisans from the past.
Quan Cong Temple is located at 24 Tran Phu, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam, and opens from 8 am to 4 pm. Those interested in visiting can refer to the Google map link above for directions.
13. Linh Ung Temple, Da Nang
Located on the Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang, the Linh Ung Pagoda covers 20 hectares of land and was built starting in July 2014. Situated at an elevation of 693 meters above sea level, this temple is shaped like a turtle and offers stunning views of the clear blue sea and refreshing sea breeze when standing here. The complex includes constructions such as the ancestor house, monastery, library, main hall, and lecture hall.
Linh Ung Pagoda combines modern architecture with traditional styles found in Vietnamese temples. The main hall boasts a curved tile roof and solid pillars that are intricately carved with dragons. The pagoda features many grand constructions, including the main hall, ancestral house, amphitheater, and more.
The opening hours for the pagoda are from 8 am to 4 pm, and visitors can find it at Son Beach on the Son Tra Peninsula in the Son Tra District of Da Nang. For those who want to visit, the Google Maps embed link is provided for ease of access.
14. Thien Hau Temple, Ho Chi Minh City
Thien Hau Pagoda, established in 1760, was declared a national architectural and artistic vestige in 1993. Despite its age, the temple maintains its distinctive design through numerous renovations, earning it a reputation as one of Vietnam’s finest temples. The pagoda features traditional Chinese architecture, including patterns, materials, and construction techniques. The temple houses an assortment of antiques dating from the late 18th to early 20th centuries, such as wooden and stone statues, stelae, copper censer, and reliefs that demonstrate meticulous craftsmanship and sophistication.
The Thien Tinh space within the temple collects light, air, and smoke, making it an exceptional spiritual destination for visitors. According to the temple caretakers, Thien Hau Temple is visited by numerous tourists daily. It is situated at 710 Nguyen Trai, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh, and is open from 8 am to 4 pm.
Vietnamese temples are distinct in appearance, each with its unique legends. Nonetheless, these sacred sites offer people the opportunity to deepen their faith and spirituality. When visiting Vietnam, make sure to visit one of the country’s most magnificent temples.
