Ancient beauty of Chinese-style temples in Vietnam
The temples in Vietnam featuring ancient Chinese architecture and long history are loved and often visited by many tourists. Chinese-style temples not to be missed
1. Ba Thien Hau Temple
Ba Thien Hau is one of the most beautiful and famous Chinese-style temples in Saigon. It is located at 710 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, and has a special meaning to the Chinese community living in Saigon. Since 1993, the temple has been recognized as a national architectural and artistic monument.
Photo: @climbing_rose91
Ba Thien Hau temple was built in the 1760s and underwent many restorations. However, today, this spiritual architectural work still retains the full impression of Asian-style three-door architecture. Tourists visiting the temple can admire ancient beauty and contemplation over the years.
Photo: @climbing_rose91
At Ba Thien Hau temple, the vertical part of the temple’s architecture is the main highlight. In particular, in the middle of this architecture, there is also a space to be able to catch all the light and air. This is also a clever design so that incense smoke can escape to the sky, helping to keep the temple’s space open.
Photo: @climbing_rose91
This temple with bold Chinese architecture was built from the main material of bricks and tiles brought from China. The entire temple is 4 houses linked together to form the letter “Kou” (口) or “Quo” (国) – a fairly common architectural style of Chinese temples. Overall, the temple uses outstanding and brilliant colors such as red, brown, and yellow, creating an impressive look.
Visiting Ba Thien Hau Temple, you will admire the goddess statue placed in the center of the main hall. Thanks to the harmoniously designed lighting system, the main hall has a dignified and impressive beauty. In addition, in the temple, there are many large and small statues specially arranged along the roof.
Photo: @climbing_rose91
Like many other beautiful temples in Vietnam, Ba Thien Hau Temple is divided into 3 main areas: Front Hall, Middle Hall, and Back Hall. Besides possessing beautiful architecture, the temple is also a place to store about 400 antiques, agarwood paintings, incense burners, etc. So when visiting the temple, visitors will feel like they are visiting a museum about Buddhism.
Today, this temple is a place of religious and cultural activities of great significance to the Chinese in Saigon. The temple has great value in terms of art and architecture, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists to visit. If you have the opportunity to travel to Saigon, you should visit Ba Thien Hau once to see the ancient beauty of this hundred-year-old temple.
Photo: @climbing_rose91
2. Ong Pagoda in District 5
Another pagoda with a Chinese architectural style that attracts lots of tourists is Ong Pagoda in District 5. The pagoda is also known as Quan De Shrine or Nghia An Assembly Hall. This is a unique architectural work from the first half of the 19th – 20th centuries and a place of worship for the Chinese of Chaozhou origin in Saigon.
Photo: @yentrangnguyen_
Located at 676 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ong Pagoda was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a National Art and Architecture Monument in 1993. According to recorded history, this pagoda was built about 300 years ago. In the past, the pagoda was the assembly hall of the Chinese people of Chaozhou origin, Guangdong.
Since its construction until now, this pagoda has been restored 5 times, of which the last time was in 2010. Although it has undergone many renovations, the pagoda still retains the ancient beauty of the old architecture. Its design includes many closed rows of houses forming the typical “Quo” (国) letter
Photo: @yentrangnguyen_
The campus of this Chinese-style pagoda is divided into Front Hall, Main Hall, Thien Tinh Courtyard, etc. The Main Hall is where the worshiping statues are placed between an ancient space with wooden columns, “bao lam”, parallel sentences, diaphragm, etc., with the main color being red, fully expressing the architectural style of Chaozhou.
Currently, Ong Pagoda in District 5 worships 3 gods: Quan Cong, Thien Hau Thanh Mau, and Tai Bach Tinh Quan. For people of Chaozhou origin in Saigon, this pagoda has great significance in spiritual life. On the occasion of Tet every year, Ong Pagoda organizes luck-giving, lamp matches, musical plays, etc. These activities are very busy, attracting many tourists to worship and make a pilgrimage.
Photo: @yentrangnguyen_
3. Ong Pagoda in Can Tho
Another Vietnam’s well-known pagoda is Ong Pagoda in Can Tho. It is located at 32 Hai Ba Trung, Tan An ward, Ninh Kieu district. The pagoda was built in 1894, with an age of more than 100 years, and is one of the spiritual destinations in Can Tho, attracting many tourists and Buddhists from near and far to visit.
Ong Pagoda, also known as Quang Trieu Assembly Hall, was built in the ancient Chinese architectural style. In 1993, the pagoda was certified as a national historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Visitors to the pagoda can not only admire a beautiful work but also participate in many impressive religious and cultural activities.
Photo: @haihanguyen1211
This beautiful pagoda in Can Tho is 532m2 in size and possesses outstanding beauty with many vibrant colors. The pagoda has a self-contained campus built in like the letter “Quo” (国). Surrounding the pagoda are high walls. The whole pagoda has the overall unity of yin and yang architecture which is stunningly beautiful and attractive.
The beauty of Ong Pagoda in Can Tho is also reflected in the image of two dragons adoring the moon, spiritual worshipers, carp turning into dragons, etc., which carry the meaning of good luck and good fortune. All mascots placed in the pagoda offer prayers for prosperity, peace, and good. Therefore, not only Buddhists but people also frequently visit the pagoda to pray for the best.
Photo: @onthuan_ainhi
Right in the main hall, the pagoda worships Quan Thanh De Quan (Guān Yǔ). This is a famous general of the Three Kingdoms period. In addition, the pagoda also worships Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Mazu or Matsu – a Chinese sea goddess) and Guanyin – 2 goddesses who save suffering and save lives according to the Chinese concept. Therefore, people also call this Ba pagoda.
Today, Ong Pagoda in Can Tho is a Chinese architectural pagoda that attracts many tourists to visit, take souvenir photos and learn about the style of Chinese pagodas in the land of the Southwest region. If you have the opportunity to travel to Can Tho, remember to explore this beautiful pagoda to pray for all the good things to come to your life.
Photo: @_n.quin09
Each Chinese-style temple has impressive beauty over a hundred years old age and is an important spiritual destination for the people of Chinese descent in Vietnam. Having the opportunity to visit these temples, you will admire the beautiful ancient works and bring back gorgeous memories.
Đăng bởi: Trần Thị Thuý Hằng
