Buddhist Sites

Built in the 19th century, this pagoda has striking architecture and colorful mosaics. Right behind the pagoda, you can see a hilltop statue of Buddha that looks out over downtown Nha Trang. This is an active pagoda, and if you arrive at the right time of day you may hear the sound of monks chanting.

On the banks of the Bao Dinh canal, in the agricultural hub of the Mekong Delta, sits the grand spiritual haven called Vinh Trang Pagoda. A Buddhist temple complex scattered over an incredible 5 acres (2 ha) of land, it is the largest and one of the most elaborate in the region.

In the hills of Da Lat, surrounded by 59 acres (24 ha) of protected forest, sits the Truc Lam Zen Monastery. For the monks and nuns who reside there, it is a home and a sanctuary. For visitors, it is a place to learn about Vietnamese Zen Buddhism, gain a little serenity, and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

In an area full of charming shrines and ancient pagodas, a brand new temple complex has some stiff competition as a worthy tourist attraction. But Bai Dinh Pagoda has an atmosphere all its own and is an incredible place to observe modern day faith in Vietnam.

No single monument represents the charms of Hue so well as Thien Mu Pagoda. Arriving by boat is perhaps the most enjoyable way to reach Ha Khe Hill, where Thien Mu waits, claiming a prime perch overlooking the Perfume River.

One Pillar Pagoda is an unusual Buddhist site in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh neighborhood. Its unusual design – a wooden shrine on top of a cement pillar, securely anchored in the muddy bottom of the surrounding pond – is meant to resemble a lily. You’ll often hear it referred to as an “ancient” pagoda, although this most recent version dates back to 1955; like many Vietnamese temples and shrines, it has had to make several comebacks after centuries of war.