Famous Pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Ho Chi Minh City is home to many beautiful and historic pagodas, reflecting its Buddhist traditions, Chinese influences, and Vietnamese spirituality. Whether you're looking for a peaceful escape, cultural insight, or architectural beauty, these pagodas are worth visiting.

1. Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chùa Ngọc Hoàng) 🐉

📍 Location: 73 Mai Thị Lựu, District 1📆 Built: 1892🎨 Style: Chinese Taoist & Buddhist🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

One of the most famous pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City, visited by former U.S. President Barack Obama in 2016.
Dedicated to the Jade Emperor (Ngọc Hoàng), who rules the heavens in Taoist belief.
Features intricate wood carvings, ceramic statues, and incense-filled halls.
A sacred place for fertility prayers—many couples come here to pray for children.

2. Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda (Chùa Vĩnh Nghiêm) 🏯

📍 Location: 339 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, District 3📆 Built: 1964 – 1971🎨 Style: Traditional Vietnamese-Buddhist with modern influences🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

One of the largest and most important Buddhist temples in Saigon.
Features a seven-story tower (the tallest Buddhist tower in Vietnam).
Holds prayer ceremonies for the dead and Buddhist festivals.
Peaceful courtyard and golden Buddha statues inside.

3. Xá Lợi Pagoda (Chùa Xá Lợi) 📖

📍 Location: 89 Bà Huyện Thanh Quan, District 3📆 Built: 1956🎨 Style: Modern Vietnamese-Buddhist🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

Famous for having Vietnam’s largest bell tower (32 meters high).
Historically significant as a center of Buddhist protests against the Ngô Đình Diệm regime (1963).
Houses Buddhist scriptures and relics, making it a great place for learning about Buddhism.

4. Giác Lâm Pagoda (Chùa Giác Lâm) 🌳

📍 Location: 565 Lạc Long Quân, Tân Bình District📆 Built: 1744 (oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City)🎨 Style: Southern Vietnamese-Buddhist🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

The oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, over 270 years old.
Features a giant Buddha statue, prayer halls, and a peaceful garden.
Important site for ancestor worship and Buddhist meditation.
Offers free vegetarian meals on Buddhist holidays.

5. Pháp Viện Minh Đăng Quang (Chùa Minh Đăng Quang) 🏛

📍 Location: 505 Xa Lộ Hà Nội, District 2📆 Built: 1963 (restored in 2010s)🎨 Style: Thai-Buddhist influence🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

One of the grandest pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City with golden spires and a huge central hall.
Inspired by Thai Theravada Buddhist architecture.
Features a large meditation hall, golden Buddha statues, and peaceful gardens.
Popular for Buddhist retreats and silent meditation sessions.

6. Bửu Long Pagoda (Chùa Bửu Long) 🛕

📍 Location: 81 Nguyễn Xiển, District 9📆 Built: 1942, renovated in 2007🎨 Style: Thai-Buddhist with Vietnamese elements🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

Often called "Vietnam’s Little Thailand" due to its stunning golden stupa.
Peaceful, non-touristy atmosphere, perfect for meditation.
Offers beautiful hilltop views of Saigon.
Known for its strict vegetarian Buddhist practices.

7. Hoằng Pháp Pagoda (Chùa Hoằng Pháp) 📿

📍 Location: Tân Hiệp, Hóc Môn District📆 Built: 1957🎨 Style: Vietnamese Buddhist🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

One of the biggest Buddhist learning centers in Vietnam.
Hosts large Buddhist retreats, attracting thousands of practitioners.
Features traditional Vietnamese Buddhist architecture with a massive courtyard.
Offers free meditation and Buddhist teachings for visitors.

8. Quan Âm Pagoda (Chùa Quan Âm) 🕊

📍 Location: 12 Lão Tử, District 5 (Chinatown)📆 Built: Over 100 years ago🎨 Style: Chinese Buddhist🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

Dedicated to Quan Âm (Guanyin), the Goddess of Mercy.
Has a unique red-and-gold Chinese design with traditional lanterns.
Perfect for peaceful reflection and prayers for compassion and healing.

9. Ấn Quang Pagoda (Chùa Ấn Quang) 🏮

📍 Location: 243 Sư Vạn Hạnh, District 10📆 Built: 1948🎨 Style: Modern Vietnamese-Buddhist🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

Historically known as a key location for Buddhist movements in Vietnam.
Has a large golden Buddha statue and intricate murals.
A peaceful escape from the busy streets of District 10.

10. Linh Sơn Pagoda (Chùa Linh Sơn) 🌄

📍 Location: 149 Cô Giang, District 1📆 Built: 1950s🎨 Style: Traditional Buddhist🚶‍♂️ Why Visit?

A small but spiritually significant pagoda in the heart of District 1.
Features a rare relic of Gautama Buddha.
Perfect for quick visits and quiet reflection.

Bonus: Unique Hidden Pagodas

📍 Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu – One of Saigon’s most sacred Chinese pagodas.📍 Chùa Phổ Quang – A peaceful temple near Tân Sơn Nhất Airport.📍 Chùa Long Hoa – A quiet monastery with a focus on meditation retreats.📍 Chùa Long Vân – An underrated temple with stunning gardens.

Conclusion: A Spiritual Journey in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City’s pagodas offer a glimpse into Vietnamese Buddhist traditions, history, and architecture. Whether you seek peace, prayer, or cultural exploration, these pagodas provide a deeper connection to the soul of Saigon.

📿 Which pagoda are you excited to visit first? Let me know if you need more details! 😊