Vietnam is a tourist destination famous for its complicated culture and history, and it has many attractive temples. Open from mornings to evenings, with its ancient Buddhist shrines and majestic Hindu temples, one gets a glimpse into the spirituality of the Vietnamese people. According to the kind of travellers you are, whether a history lover, a seeker of spiritual truth, or an adventurer, these temples will always be a fulfilling experience when visiting. Below are names of the top 10 Vietnam temples that travellers can visit.
In this article, we will explore 10 temples to visit in Vietnam and provide a list of Hindu temples in Vietnam.
Here is the list of Top 10 Best Temples of Vietnam You Must Visit :
- Tran Quoc Pagoda
- The Temple of Literature
- Cao Dai Temple
- Bai Dinh Pagoda
- Giac Lam Pagoda
- Emperor Jade Pagoda
- The Perfume Pagoda
- The One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot)
- The Buu Long Pagoda (Chua Buu Long)
- The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Chua Vinh Nghiem)
Table of Contents
Temples of Vietnam You Must Visit
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Tran Quoc Pagoda is an island temple in the middle of West Lake Hanoi. It is the oldest Buddhist temple remaining in Vietnam today, built over 1500 years ago. Many consider this temple to be one of the best in Vietnam to visit, testament to its architectural design, beauty, and natural environment.
The place has a few statues and a Bodhi tree planted in it, which was donated by the president of India in 1959 to mark the country’s socio-religious event. A pagoda is a governmental religious structure for Buddhism where people can come and gain some knowledge about Vietnam Buddhism and also have some peace in the middle of the crowded city life.
The Temple of Literature
Temples for education are also rare unless the Temple of Literature in Hanoi is discussed. This temple is not only a temple but also the first university of Vietnam, established in 1070. It was constructed to pay respect to Confucius and scholars.
Visit one of the renowned temples in Vietnam due to its historical importance and the place’s traditional architecture. The well-designed site offers tourists an opportunity to view beautiful gardens and pavilions together with interior courtyards designed to depict the educational and cultural features of the ancient world.
Cao Dai Temple
The Cao Dai Temple, established in Tay Ninh, is where the Cao Dai religion, a Vietnamese religion that has mechanisms of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and Confucianism, originated. Externally, the temple has very colourful and rich ornament, and the walls and roofs of the structure display various styles. The nature of worship here is quite interesting; therefore, praying at this temple is one of the exciting things to do in Vietnam.
Also Read: Hidden Gems of Vietnam
Bai Dinh Pagoda
Bai Dinh Pagoda is in Ninh Binh province and is considered one of Vietnam’s largest Buddhist and Hindu temples. It occupies an area of 539 hectares and a complex of buildings, including the Bai Dinh Pagoda, Phap Chu Pagoda or Quan Am Pagoda. The major sightseeing options for the main attractions include five hundred Arhat statues and two big bronze Buddhas. It carries very important religious importance and is one of the most highlighted places to visit in Vietnam for Buddhists’ temples list.
Giac Lam Pagoda
One of them is the Giac Lam Pagoda, located in Ho Chi Minh City, and the construction is assumed to have been started in 1744. This temple depicts the characteristic Buddhist architecture of Vietnam, including a three-storeyed main ordination hall and a seven-storeyed stupa.
It is believed to have been built before the Champa kingdom period and is regarded as the oldest temple in Vietnam in the southern part of the country. The beautiful environment and the interiors, notably areas, give the temple a gap, making it one of Vietnam’s best temples.
Emperor Jade Pagoda
Another striking architectural landmark and famous religious site is the Emperor Jade Pagoda, referred to in Vietnamese as the Tortoise Pagoda. Located in San Francisco, California, USA, it was constructed in 1909 and is a Taoist temple dedicated to the Jade Emperor of Taoism.
The last place of interest is a wonderful pagoda with wood carvings, statuses, and altars located among temple values in Vietnam. The most fascinating aspect of the temple’s architectural style is the Depictions of Taoist and Buddhist images and structures.
The Perfume Pagoda
The Perfume Pagoda, 21 km from the Ha Tay province or 60 km from Ha Noi City, is one of Vietnam’s most attractively located and visited temples. There is even a boat ride to the shores before proceeding to the temple by trekking on the cloudy green hillsides.
The central structure, Chua Trong, is also located in a cave excavated in the limestone mountain to give it an otherworldly appeal. It is not only one of Vietnam’s famous Buddhist temple sites for its astonishing sceneries and religious relevance.
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The One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot)
Several landmarks are famous throughout the entire territory of Vietnam, and one of them is the one-pillar pagoda located in Hanoi. Kalyani Chak is about 1049, built in the style of a blooming lotus with nine storeys, each storey a symbol of purity.
Nonetheless, owing to its dimensions, the pagan pyramid mentioned is among the most attractive and valuable landmarks among the well-known temples in Vietnam. Indeed, it is a rare piece, and any person who wants to learn about Vietnam, especially its history, will have to visit this place.
The Buu Long Pagoda (Chua Buu Long)
Serving as a Venerable Temple, the Buu Long Pagoda resides inside District 9 of Ho Chi Minh City and is terrifically famous for its Thai–Vietnam blend construction. In addition to a majestic Buddha statue at the entrance, there are beautiful green gardens and a quiet lake around which it is very pleasant to walk,
so the local temple is among the best Vietnamese temples for those who want to find peace. The cultural complex visitors can explore covers several halls, stupas, and a large statue of the Buddha that ensures exposure to Vietnamese Buddhist practice.
The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda (Chua Vinh Nghiem)
One of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, was constructed in 1969 in South Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City. It is categorized as one of the largest pagodas in the city and can blend contemporary and ancient architectural designs.
The main highlights here are the seven-story tower and numerous carvings and statues of the main shrine hall in that building. Known as the temple, the building is a meaningful educational institution and a place of worship for Hebei Buddhists and visitors.
Also Read: Best Time to Visit Vietnam with Family
Conclusion
Visiting the best temples always enhances your knowledge about Vietnam’s history, culture, and even spirituality. From the modernity of Hanoi and the hustle and bustle of the southern city of Ho Chi Minh City to the rural areas, these temples are spread out across the country, and each site has its own history.
If you are a historian and want to know more about Vietnamese history, if you are interested in local spirituality or if you are just a traveller who wants to know what temples he or she has to visit in Vietnam, for sure those temples are going to be memorable and will make you appreciate the unique beauty of the country.
Finally, when visiting these temples, ensure that you observe the culture and etiquette of the region and avoid dressing” revealingly”. These temples offer enjoyable and relaxed vibrations, as well as the architectural designs and spiritual feelings that are exhibited in these temples. Vietnamese temples are not merely religious sites for the people to pray and seek solace but are more like a temporal history book of the country’s thousand-plus years of existence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the famous temple in Vietnam?
The Temple of Literature and Tran Quoc Pagoda are some of Vietnam’s historic and famous temples.
2. What is the massive temple in Vietnam?
According to the Vietnamese, Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the largest temple complexes.
3. Does Vietnam have Hindu temples?
We would like to ask if there are Hindu Temples in Vietnam, and my second answer is yes. For instance, there is the Mariamman Temple in Ho Chi Minh City.
4. What is the holy city in Vietnam?
The city of Hue is regarded as one of the most holy cities in Vietnam since the majority of the SHRINE is located here.
5. What to wear in Vietnam temple?
It is recommended that boys and men should not wear short-sleeved shirts, girls and women should cover their heads and legs up to the knees, and shoes and sandals should be left at the entrance.
6. What is the difference between a temple and a pagoda in Vietnam?
Traditionally, in Vietnam, a temple is a worship building built in honor of a certain god or great man, while a pagoda is a Buddhist place of worship.