Sacred Pagodas of Saigon
Walk them yourself, or travel there on a Vietnam Oasis tour!
Saigon's Cholon district, to the west of District 1, has a fascinating group of pagodas that can easily be seen in a half day walking tour.
Cholon itself is a bustling neighborhood of markets, stalls, and businesses.
Seven pagodas are within walking distance of each other, while two others, the Giac Lam and Giac Vien pagodas, are a little further west, and not to be missed.
Seven Pagodas in Cholon
Take your walking tour in the following order:
Thien Hau Pagoda
710 Duong Nguyen Trai.
Open 6 am to 5:30 pm.
GPS: N10°45.184' E106°39.659'
The exceptional ceramic frieze above the courtyard dominates this pagoda, built in the early 1800s.
Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda
678 Duong Nguyen Trai.
Open 4 am to 6 pm.
GPS: N10°45.190' E106°39.723'
Gilded wooden interior carvings are the keynote.
Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda
118 Duong Trieu Quang Phuc.
GPS: N10°45.155' E106°39.688'
This pagoda is a heavily-traveled one for women wishing greater fertility, and many will be seen praying here to Mae Sanh, Goddess of Fertility.
Original ornamentation dates from the 19th century.
Quan Am Pagoda
12 Duong Lau Tu.
GPS: N10°45.235' E106°39.574'
The intricate ceramic frieze adorning the rooftop depicts scenes from Chinese mythology and popular plays of the 19th century.
Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda
184 Duong Hung Vuong.
GPS: N10°45.297' E106°39.533'
Phuoc An is noted for its finely crafted ceramic walls and arches, porcelain figures, and intricate woodcarvings.
Ha Chuong Hoi Quan Pagoda
802 Duong Nguyen Trai.
GPS: N10°45.192' E106°39.470'
The four elaborately carved stone dragon pillars make this pagoda well worth a visit.
Ong Bon Pagoda
264 Duong Hai Thuong Lai Ong. Open 5 am to 5 pm.
GPS: N10°45.075' E106°39.435'
Dedicated to Ong Bon, the guardian of Happiness and Virtue, the pagoda features an intricately carved wooden altar.
Ong Bon sits next to a huge school, so expect to be inundated by throngs of happy kids if you arrive between 4 and 5 pm.
The Giac Lam and Giac Vien pagodas
264 Duong Hai Thuong Lai Ong. Open 5 am to 5 pm.
One kilometer west of the concentration of Cholon pagodas, you'll discover the pagodas of Giac Lam and Giac Vien.
Both are located in outlying neighborhoods, and are only ½ kilometer away from each other.
Each is entered through a warren of twisty streets, so you'll have to continually ask passerby for the direction, unless you go there by car, motorbike, or xiclo. They're the highlight of your pagoda trip, serene and stately, compared to the bustling activity surrounding the pagodas located in central Cholon.
Giac Lam Pagoda
118 Duong Lac Long Quan, Tan Binh District.
Open 6 am to 9 pm.
GPS: N10°46.731' E106°38.968'
Believed to be the oldest pagoda in the Saigon area, construction on Giac Lam began in 1744.
Its interior is breathtaking, and the highlight, in our opinion, was the series of stunning intricately carved wooden figures lining the walls flanking the altar. Exterior décor elements include the usage of blue and white porcelain plates, embedded in mortar.
Of all Saigon's pagodas, this was our favorite.
Giac Vien Pagoda
247 Duong Lac Long Quan.
GPS: N10°45.777' E106°38.364'
Over 200 years old, Giac Vien's highlight is its rear courtyard, resplendent with colonial architectural motifs.
If you're fortunate, you'll be greeted by senior monk (Hoa Thuong) Thich Hué Van, who will gladly show you around and offer you tea.
Keeping the old, less-touristed pagoda of Giac Vien in good repair is always a challenge, and donations of any amount are always welcome.
