Tourists go to Vietnam in large part to marvel at the country’s many temples, which are known for their ornate architecture and detailed decorations. Hindu temples in Vietnam show that although the nation is mostly Buddhist, it retains the touch of other faiths.
Other than Buddhism, you may practice Caodaism, a syncretic religion that combines elements of Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Taoism, and many others.
List of the 11 Most Popular Vietnam Temples:
1. Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi
Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, can be found in a scenic location on the southeast coast of West Lake. It was constructed in the sixth century by Emperor Ly Nam De and has served as a place of peace and beauty for the city’s residents ever since.
The 11-story main pagoda stands out among a museum filled with artifacts from the past and a home for burning incense. There is also a Bodhi tree on the premises, which was propagated from a portion of the original tree beneath which Buddha attained enlightenment in India.
Location: Thanh Nien, Yen Phu, Tay Ho, Hanoi
2. Cao Dai Temple, Long Hoa
The Cao Dai Temple is the spiritual heart of the Cao Dai people and is located 100 kilometers northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. It was founded in 1921 on the premise that all faiths are fundamentally the same.
Long, flowing white robes are worn in devotion at the Tay Ninh temple, serving as the Vietnamese people’s spiritual epicenter. Instead, priests are easily identifiable by the colour of their robes, which is often either blue or red. The most significant emblem of the faith, the Divine Eye, is embroidered on the bishops’ headpieces.
Location: Phạm Ho Phap, Tay Ninh 80606, Vietnam
3. Mariamman Temple
One of the most well-known Hindu temples in Vietnam, this structure was erected in the 19th century by Tamil traders who had settled in the region. Sacred to Mariamman, a Hindu deity, this temple may be found in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Among Hindus in India, this temple is highly revered since it so accurately represents that region’s culture and artistry.
Beautiful masonry and sculptures of all the Hindu deities and goddesses make this temple stand out to tourists from other countries. The temple has a lot of silence and tranquillity, making it an ideal place to practice mindfulness and reflection. It is also convenient to walk to Thanh Market, a popular local marketplace.
Location: 45 Truong Dinh, Phuong Ben Thành, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
4. Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue
Thien Mu also called the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady, sits on a hill on the city’s outskirts. Its octagonal tower, which stands 21 meters in height, has become the city’s unofficial icon because of its stunning panorama of the Perfume River and the Imperial City.
During the early 1960s, the pagoda served as a center of political dissent as the Buddhist majority there became disillusioned with President Ngo Dinh Diem’s regime. The monk who set himself on fire in 1963, Thich Quang Duc, called this monastery home. He famously drove from the temple to Saigon, where he stopped his vehicle in the middle of the street, got out, and started burning. You may see the vintage Austin he used to drive on display at the shrine.
Location: FG3V+7XC, Thanh pho Hue, Vietnam
5. My Son Sanctuary
Hanoi, Vietnam, is home to several decrepit Hindu temples. My Son, the most famous ruin, dates to the 4th to 14th centuries AD and has temples devoted to Shiva and other deities. In the fourth century, the primary and original tower was constructed using only wooden materials; after its destruction, the monarch of the Champa kingdom reconstructed the structure using stone.
UNESCO has designated this area a world-historic site even though the American bombing destroyed it. The 70 temples continue to wow visitors with their intricate stonework.
Location: Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Duy Xuyen, Vietnam
6. Bai Dinh Pagoda, Ninh Binh
Bai Dinh Pagoda is considered one of the top temples in Vietnam because it holds several records, such as the biggest bronze Buddha statue in Southeast Asia and the largest bronze bell in Southeast Asia. The temple’s survival for over a millennium attests to Buddhism’s continuing vigour in Vietnamese spiritual life. One of the spiritual and aesthetic highlights of the old capital is the ancient Bai Dinh pagoda, which is also a national historical and cultural landmark.
The Tam Quan gate, bell tower, Quan Am, Phap Chu, and Tam The palaces are the focal points of the Bai Dinh pagoda. To reach the attraction, you must go a long distance, largely upstairs. This is a means to demonstrate our perseverance and our eagerness to reach the pristine land of humanity.
Location: Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh
7. Jade Emperor Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City
Formerly known as the Temple of the Jade Emperor, it was constructed in the early 20th century by a man called Luu Minh (originally from Guangdong, China) in the style of Chinese architecture. The Jade Emperor Pagoda was rechristened Phuoc Hai in 1984. It was once known as Jade Emperor, however.
The Jade Emperor Pagoda is an old temple designed to seem like a traditional Chinese pagoda. Bricks are used to construct the pagoda, and yin and yang tiles adorn the roof. Roof edges and colorful ceramic sculptures adorn the pagoda’s four corners. The three palaces were found inside the temple’s walls. The main palace is devoted to Huyen Thien Bac De, the Jade Emperor, whom the innate warriors and generals revere.
Location: 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Da Kao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh
8. Temple of Literature, Hanoi
Dedicated to Confucius and completed in 1070, the Temple of Literature in Hanoi is also the location of the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national institution. It’s a must-see in Hanoi since it’s widely considered among the best specimens of classic Vietnamese architecture.
If you are a serious thinker, this is the place for you. There is a library on the premises with books as old as the Temple itself, a well of heavenly clarity, and a lake of literature. Get there before the masses if you can. It’s little wonder that photographs of weddings and graduations are often taken in this beautiful temple.
Location: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Đa, Hà Nội
9. Perfume Pagoda, Hanoi
After being completely destroyed in the anti-French resistance struggle of 1947, the pagoda was restored in 1988 by Thuong Thich Vien Thanh. Its original construction dates back to the late 17th century. The Huong Pagoda is widely recognized not just as a cultural icon in Vietnam but also as one of Southeast Asia’s finest religious buildings.
Tourists from all around the world go to Huong Pagoda in Hanoi. Among the many pagodas in the Huong region are the ones of Trinh, Huong, Cua Vong, Oan, and Tien Son. And early Spring’s Huong Pagoda Festival is a time of great spiritual significance in Vietnam.
The grand opening is scheduled for the sixth of January. By the third week of the third lunar month, the celebration has generally come to a close. The Huong Pagoda Festival attracts millions of Buddhists and visitors from the four provinces yearly.
Location: Huong Son, My Duc, Hanoi
10. Poshainu Cham Towers
The ruins of the Poshanu Cham Tower, which date back to the Champa dynasty, may be found seven kilometers to the northeast of Phan Thiet city. Located atop Ong Hoang Hill, the remains comprise three ancient temple towers dedicated to the Hindu gods Shiva, Agni, and Nandi.
The ancient Champa people were very skilled architects and artists since all of the towers displayed this level of detail and originality. All of these old structures are considered important cultural sites of the ancient Champa Kingdom, alongside the more well-known Po Dam Towers and My Son Sanctuary. They also serve as venues for religious celebrations, with Cham people flocking to pray for good fortune and good health.
Location: Phu Hai, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan, Vietnam
11. Mariamman Temple
The Mariamman Temple in Vietnam is one of the country’s most well-known Hindu places of worship. It was originally built as a marketplace in the late 19th century. Indian tourists will find this temple, which is representative of south Indian culture, to be an inspiring destination.
This beautiful temple is perfect if you’re looking for a spiritual home that can help ground you in your nation’s history. A fantastic spot to find tranquillity and learn about Indian culture and architecture, it has sculptures of all the Hindu gods and goddesses and distinctive masonry that demonstrates remarkable artistry.
Location: 45 Truong Dinh, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Conclusion
An abundance of pagodas, temples, and religious monuments in Vietnam features elaborate carvings, well-maintained architecture, and spiritual qualities, adding to the country’s allure. Any serious student of history and culture should make a point of visiting Vietnam’s many temples, which range from Buddhist monuments to Hindu shrines, and share a deep cultural connection between Vietnam and India.
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