6 Remarkable Temples In Vietnam For Culture Lovers
When you think of Vietnam, the chances are that temples aren't the first thing that comes to mind. However, the country is home to a number of exquisite temples from a variety of different religions and cultures.
While you may take a trip to Vietnam for its Banh Mi, lush green rice paddies, and the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, there are over 17,000 temples to explore throughout the country. These range from large compounds with tranquil gardens and ornate statues of the Buddha, to brightly painted buildings that celebrate Vietnam's alternative religions.
Discovering some of the many temples in Vietnam is a quick way to gain a deeper insight into the Southeast Asian country and how it's changed throughout the centuries.
In this guide, we'll be sharing more about the religions that are practiced in Vietnam, tips on temple etiquette, and our top picks of the most fascinating religious sites in the country.
What Religion Do Vietnamese People Practice?
The primary religion practiced by Vietnamese people is Buddhism, which is one of the main religions in Southeast Asia. However, a significant number of Vietnamese people also practice Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, and folk religions.
Buddhism was first brought to Vietnam in the 2nd century by the Chinese and quickly gained a following among the Vietnamese people. Over the centuries, Buddhism was the dominant religion in Vietnam. However, since then there have been periods of persecution against Buddhists. In recent years, however, religious freedom has been increasingly respected in Vietnam.
Today, there are an estimated 30 million Buddhists in Vietnam. This makes Buddhism the largest religion in the country. However, Vietnam has no official religion and in 2019, just 26% of the population were classed as believers of any religion.
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Requirements For Visiting Vietnamese Temples
Visitors are always welcome at temples in Vietnam, whether Buddhist or not, and taking a trip to one will likely be a highlight of your trip. However, there are a few rules to bear in mind in order to show respect to the local people. While the doors are always open to tourists, the most important thing to remember is that these places of worship are exactly that — a space for residents to pray, meditate, and give thanks. Tourism comes second to worship and you shouldn't treat a temple as just another attraction. With that in mind, here are some extra tips for your Vietnam temple trip:
Turn off your mobile phone.
Hats, sunglasses, and shoes should be removed.
Keep your knees and shoulders covered. A good rule of thumb is to always keep a sarong in your day pack in case you spontaneously visit a temple. If you forget, you can usually rent a modest outfit before entering.
Be mindful of taking photos. Avoid flash photography and try to limit the number of shots you capture.
Respect the monuments of Buddha. You can do this by avoiding taking photos with statues, and ensuring you don't sit on them.
If you're seated and a monk walks by you, stand up to show respect.
It's considered rude to point in a Buddhist temple.
While most temples are free to enter, there will usually be a donation box. It is good form to make a small contribution to the running of the site.
Do not point your feet at other people or the Buddha statue.
Women are prohibited from any physical contact with a monk.
Use your common sense. Don't smoke, shout, climb around on monuments or chew gum in a place of worship.
While it may seem like there is a long list of rigid rules to follow, a lot of these points are instinctive to most people and fall under the umbrella of simply being respectful on such sacred ground.
Note: These rules are specifically for Buddhist temples. Other religions may require you to show respect in a different way.
Are Pagodas And Temples The Same?
In this list, you'll notice we speak about temples and pagodas, but you may be wondering whether there's any difference between the two. While you won't notice many differences on a visit to either, there are distinctive features that set the two apart.
Temples in Vietnam are typically dedicated to one or more deities, while pagodas are more focused on Buddha. Pagodas are also often taller than temples, and they usually have multiple stories. Another defining feature of pagodas is their ornate architecture, which often includes intricate carvings and sculptures.
Temples, on the other hand, tend to be more subdued in their design and are devoted to a real person in Vietnamese history, such as a hero or king. Regardless of these differences, both pagodas and temples play an important role in Vietnamese culture. They serve as places of worship and contemplation, and they offer a glimpse into the country's rich history and traditions.
When you pay a visit to any of Vietnam's religious sites, see if you can recognize the difference between a pagoda and a temple.
Best Temples Of Vietnam
The temples of Vietnam may not be as photogenic as those of Bali or Thailand, but there's plenty of charm and intrigue held within their four walls. Here are six temples that we think are worth a visit.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Located on West Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a fascinating temple that dates back to the 6th century. This makes it the oldest temple in Hanoi and one of the oldest in the whole of Vietnam. The pagoda has been rebuilt several times over the centuries and the original was made out of wood. The current building is made of stone and dates back to the 17th century.
The temple is located on a small island in the lake and surrounded by a large park, which makes it a great place to relax and admire the views across the shimmering water. There are also several other temples located nearby, including Quan Thanh Temple and Chau Long Pagoda, so you can discover an extra slither of Hanoi's history and culture on your trip to Tran Quoc Pagoda.
Giac Lam Pagoda
Giac Lam Pagoda was built in 1744 and is the oldest temple in Ho Chi Minh City. The temple contains elements of Taoism and Confucianism, which can be seen throughout, especially on the Bagu ceiling. There are over 100 ancient statues dotted about the site, which are made of wood or bronze. It is believed that remnants of the Buddha's little finger are stored in the temple, adding another interesting element to the vivid yellow building.
The most iconic sight in the temple is the large, fat, laughing Buddha, as well as the sacred Bodhi tree that was gifted by a Sri Lankan monk many decades ago.
Perfume Pagoda
The Perfume Pagoda is a temple complex in Vietnam that was first built over 2,000 years ago. The small temple that was erected would have looked vastly different from the current place of worship. The last construction of the building took place in 1686 and in the present day, the temple is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It's not hard to see why as the culture is fascinating, and the scenery is unparalleled.
The complex is located in a valley, and the temples and shrines are carved into the limestone of the mountains of Hương Tich. Perfume Pagoda takes dedication to reach and you can choose to take a cable car to the top after a journey by road and river. There is also the opportunity to hike for those wanting to surround themselves with the Vietnamese landscape.
Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature is located in Hanoi and is constantly mentioned when speaking about the best temples in Vietnam. The temple is steeped in history, as it was built in 1070 to honor Confucius, and it was also the country's first university. The grounds have five serene courtyards, as well as gardens, and a lotus pond. The main hall has 82 stone steles on tortoises, which represent the 82 students who passed the Imperial examination. It may seem like a random choice of creature, but in Vietnam, the tortoise represents wisdom and longevity.
If you want to learn about Vietnamese culture and history, you can take a tour of the temple in English or Vietnamese.
Those who are visiting Hanoi during Vietnamese New Year (known as Tet) will enjoy seeing an unusual tradition outside the temple. Every year, calligraphers gather for a few days before the celebration and write wishes in Chinese. The artworks they create are then given away as gifts. If you are visiting any Vietnamese temples, make sure the Temple of Literature is added to your list.
Cao Dai Temple
The most visually striking temple on our list is not a Buddhist temple, but instead one dedicated to the religion of Cao Dai. The religion is a fusion of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The exterior of the temple is decorated with colorful dragons, phoenixes, and flowers, while the interior is filled with murals depicting scenes from Vietnamese history and mythology. Visitors can also see a large eye on the ceiling of the main hall, which is said to represent the "all-seeing" nature of God.
It's estimated that between four and six million Vietnamese people Practice Cao Dai and this temple is the headquarters of the religion. If you want to learn about different cultures and beliefs during your stay in Vietnam, the Cao Dai Temple will certainly expand your knowledge.
Mariamman Hindu Temple
Temples in Vietnam are not only picturesque, but also very intricately designed. The Mariamman Hindu Temple is one such example. The temple is located in Ho Chi Minh City and was built in the 19th century for the Tamil immigrants living in the city. It is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman, who is the deity of rain and fertility. Hindus also believe that she cures diseases and brings prosperity to those who worship her.
The structure has several stories with intricate and colorful carvings on all sides, and admiring the outside of the building is almost as exciting as stepping inside. Every year, during the month of October, the birthday of the goddess is celebrated in a festival called the Water Festival. During this celebration, devotees offer prayers to the goddess for a good harvest season.
There are just three Hindu temples located in Ho Chi Minh, but one of the main reasons visitors choose to come to Mariamman Temple is because of its "praying stone wall" where it's said that Mariamman can hear your problems and prayers and will grant you her blessing.
Final Thoughts On Temples In Vietnam
Vietnam is a large country that slithers like a snake down the east coast of southeast Asia. Because of this, it may not be possible to visit all of the most renowned temples. However, with so many to choose from throughout all of the cities, everyone can enjoy at least one of the temples of Vietnam.