Most Beautiful Temples in Vietnam to Visit

Vietnam’s spiritual heritage shines through its magnificent temples, where ancient traditions blend with architectural brilliance. These temples in Vietnam offer visitors deep spiritual experiences in the middle of stunning settings. 

Over 40% of Vietnamese actively practice Buddhism, making temples central to the nation’s cultural identity. This article explores Vietnam’s most significant Buddhist sites, where ancient spiritual traditions continue to shape daily life.

1. Tran Quoc Pagoda

Dating back to the 6th century, Tran Quoc Pagoda stands as Hanoi’s oldest Buddhist temple, situated gracefully on West Lake’s shore. The temple’s 11-story red tower rises against the skyline, creating an unforgettable silhouette reflected in the lake’s waters.

• Address: Thanh Nien Road, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Timings: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Events: Buddha’s Birthday celebrations, Tet Festival ceremonies
• How to Reach: Take a taxi or bus to West Lake from Hanoi’s Old Quarter

Features:

• The temple’s 15-meter-high red pagoda has intricate ceramic decorations depicting 1,000 years of Buddhist history in Vietnam.
• A sacred Bodhi tree, planted in 1959 from a cutting of Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura tree, stands 18 meters tall and serves as a symbol of Buddha’s enlightenment.
• The 3,000-square-meter temple complex extends into West Lake on an ancient peninsula, created during Emperor Ly Nam De’s reign in the 6th century.
• The temple’s museum houses over 100 precious artifacts including a 200-year-old gold-lacquered wood Buddha statue and ancient stone sutras from the Ly Dynasty.

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2. One Pillar Pagoda

This architectural marvel, built in 1049, rises from a single stone pillar, embodying the pure lotus flower in Buddhist tradition. The temple’s unique design represents Emperor Ly Thai Tong’s vision from a dream, making it one of the most distinctive places of worship in Vietnam.

• Address: Ong Ich Khiem Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
• Timings: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
• Events: Regular Buddhist ceremonies and rituals
• How to Reach: Located near Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, accessible by taxi or bus

Features:

• The temple’s distinctive lotus-shaped wooden architecture sits atop a 4-meter stone pillar rising from an artificial pond, symbolizing the purity of Buddhism.
• The main shrine houses an intricately carved statue of Quan Am Buddha dating back to the 11th century.
• A collection of precious Buddhist manuscripts and ceremonial objects are preserved within the temple’s historic archive room.
• The surrounding meditation gardens feature ancient stone tablets documenting the temple’s 1000-year history.

3. Bai Dinh Pagoda

As Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist complex, Bai Dinh Pagoda combines traditional Vietnamese architecture with modern grandeur. The temple complex houses thousands of limestone statues and features Vietnam’s largest bronze Buddha statue.

• Address: Gia Sinh Commune, Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province
• Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Events: Lunar New Year celebrations, regular Buddhist festivals
• How to Reach: Two-hour drive from Hanoi, accessible by taxi or organized tours

Features:

• The temple complex spans over 700 hectares, featuring Vietnam’s largest bronze Buddha statue weighing 100 tons and standing 10 meters tall.
• A corridor lined with 500 meticulously carved Arhat statues leads to the main ceremonial hall capable of holding 3,000 people.
• The temple’s bell tower houses Asia’s largest bronze bell, weighing 36 tons and standing 4.5 meters tall.
• Three ancient temples within the complex showcase traditional Vietnamese Buddhist architecture dating back to the Dinh Dynasty.

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4. Thien Mu Pagoda

This seven-story pagoda, built in 1601 beside Hue’s Perfume River, stands as a symbol of Vietnam’s ancient capital. The temple’s octagonal tower has become an iconic landmark of historic temples in Vietnam.

• Address: Kim Long Road, Hue City
• Timings: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Events: Buddhist festivals and traditional ceremonies throughout the year
• How to Reach: Accessible by taxi or boat ride from Hue city center

Features:

• The temple’s most treasured artifact is its 3,285 kg bronze bell cast in 1710, featuring intricate dragon and phoenix motifs that represent Vietnamese imperial symbolism.
• The central Phuoc Duyen tower houses a unique collection of ancient Buddha statues, including a rare Amitabha Buddha carving dating back to the 15th century.
• The temple’s garden complex spans 12 hectares and contains over 150 bonsai specimens.
• The riverside meditation pavilion serves as a gathering place for monks during full moon ceremonies.

5. Huong Pagoda

Nestled within limestone mountains, this remarkable temple complex draws pilgrims to its cave shrines and mountaintop sanctuaries. Among the most unique temples to visit in Vietnam, it combines natural beauty with spiritual significance.

• Address: Huong Son Commune, My Duc District, Hanoi
• Timings: 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily
• Events: Huong Pagoda Festival (January-March lunar calendar)
• How to Reach: Two-hour drive from Hanoi plus boat journey on Yen Stream

Features:

• The Huong Tich cave shrine features a 400-year-old stone altar carved from a single limestone block.
• The temple’s ancient stone pathway system extends over 6 kilometers through the mountains with 2,000 hand-carved steps dating from the 17th century.
• The central meditation hall, constructed entirely of rare ironwood, can accommodate 300 practitioners for chanting ceremonies.
• The temple’s archival room preserves a collection of 250 palm-leaf manuscripts containing Buddhist teachings written in ancient Vietnamese script.

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6. Linh Ung Pagoda

Overlooking Da Nang’s coastline, this modern temple complex features Vietnam’s tallest Lady Buddha statue. The site offers breathtaking views while showcasing contemporary Vietnamese Buddhist architecture.

• Address: Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang City
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
• Events: Regular Buddhist ceremonies and festivals
• How to Reach: Accessible by taxi or motorbike from Da Nang city center

Features:

• The Lady Buddha statue contains an internal spiral staircase leading to 16 observation floors, each displaying artworks of Buddhist philosophy.
• The temple’s lotus-shaped meditation hall spans 1,200 square meters with 108 intricately carved stone pillars representing the 108 earthly desires in Buddhist teaching.
• The oceanfront ceremonial plaza features a 48-meter-long dragon mosaic created using 850,000 hand-placed ceramic tiles.
• The temple’s bell tower houses a 5.5-ton bronze bell with relief carvings of the eight Buddhist treasures.

7. Vinh Trang Pagoda

This architectural gem in the Mekong Delta blends Vietnamese, Khmer, and European styles. The temple grounds feature impressive Buddha statues amid lush gardens, making it one of the most unique Buddhist temples in Vietnam.

• Address: Nguyen Trung Truc Street, My Tho City, Tien Giang Province
• Timings: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM daily
• Events: Regular Buddhist ceremonies and cultural celebrations
• How to Reach: Two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City

Features:

• The temple’s architectural design seamlessly blends French Gothic windows and archways with traditional Vietnamese temple elements.
• The main sanctuary houses a 100-year-old statue of Avalokiteshvara with 1,000 arms, carved from a single piece of rare jackfruit wood by 12 master artisans.
• The temple’s meditation garden features an elaborate system of ponds and bridges designed according to feng shui principles, containing 18 different species of lotus.
• A collection of 60 hand-painted ceiling murals depicts scenes from Buddha’s life using natural pigments created from crushed gemstones and precious minerals.

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8. Jade Emperor Pagoda

This atmospheric Taoist temple in Ho Chi Minh City captivates visitors with its intricate wood carvings and mystical ambiance. The temple honors the Jade Emperor and various deities of the Taoist pantheon.

• Address: Mai Thi Luu Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
• Timings: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Events: Special celebrations during Lunar New Year
• How to Reach: Easily accessible by taxi from central Ho Chi Minh City

Features:

• The temple’s central hall features an immense hardwood altar weighing 1.5 tons, carved with scenes from Taoist mythology using traditional Chinese techniques from the Ming Dynasty.
• A rare collection of 64 papier-mâché sculptures created in 1909 depicts various divine beings and demons, each standing over 2 meters tall with movable joints.
• The temple’s intricate roof system incorporates 10,000 hand-painted ceramic tiles featuring phoenixes and dragons.
• A series of 12 carved wooden panels tells the complete story of the Jade Emperor’s journey to enlightenment.

9. Cao Dai Temple

This striking temple represents the unique Cao Dai faith, combining elements from various world religions. Its colorful architecture and distinctive ceremonies make it one of the most fascinating religious places in Vietnam.

• Address: Hoa Thanh District, Tay Ninh Province
• Timings: Daily services at noon; visitors welcome during prayers
• Events: Major Cao Dai festivals during Tet and Mid-Autumn Festival
• How to Reach: Two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City

Features:

• The temple’s central dome spans 35 meters in diameter without supporting columns, featuring a cosmic ceiling painted with 5,000 stars that illuminate during morning prayers.
• The building’s exterior has 15,000 pieces of multicolored glass and ceramic in complex mosaic patterns representing the unity of world religions.
• A sophisticated architectural ventilation system uses principles of natural airflow through specially designed towers to maintain comfortable temperatures without modern cooling.
• The main ceremonial hall features 28 towering columns wrapped with dragons composed of 2 million pieces of broken pottery assembled by artisans over 3 years.

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10. My Son Sanctuary

This UNESCO World Heritage site preserves ancient Hindu temples from the Champa civilization. Dating back to the 4th century, these brick structures showcase remarkable architectural and sculptural achievements.

• Address: Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 5:30 PM daily
• Events: Annual Cham Festival celebrating cultural heritage
• How to Reach: Accessible by car or bus from Hoi An or Da Nang

Features:

• Ancient drainage systems beneath the temples have fired clay pipes and filtered catchments that continue functioning after 1,500 years.
• The site contains 71 temple structures built across nine centuries, each positioned according to advanced astronomical calculations to align with celestial events.
• Preserved Sanskrit inscriptions on 25 stone steles provide detailed records of royal ceremonies and construction techniques used by Champa builders.

11. Giac Lam Pagoda

As Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest Buddhist temple, Giac Lam Pagoda provides a peaceful retreat amid urban surroundings. The temple’s traditional architecture and serene gardens create an atmosphere of tranquility.

• Address: 118 Lạc Long Quân, Phường 10, Quận Tân Bình, Ho Chi Minh City
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Events: Regular Buddhist ceremonies and festivals
• How to Reach: Accessible by taxi from central Ho Chi Minh City

Features:

• The main hall’s structural framework consists of 98 ironwood columns, each carved with Buddhist sutras and preserved for over 200 years.
• The temple’s prayer drum, measuring 2.5 meters in diameter, was crafted from a single jackfruit tree trunk and features bronze fittings cast from melted temple bells.
• An extensive collection of 113 ancient Buddha statues carved from various precious woods and stones.
• The temple’s meditation garden contains a Bodhi tree grown from a cutting of Sri Lanka’s sacred tree, with a detailed stone carving showing the Buddha’s enlightenment.

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12. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda

This modern Buddhist complex showcases contemporary Vietnamese religious architecture. Its impressive scale and design make it one of the most significant temples in Vietnam for current Buddhist practice.

• Address: 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
• Timings: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
• Events: Lunar New Year celebrations and Buddhist holidays
• How to Reach: Accessible by taxi or public transport within Ho Chi Minh City

Features:

• The temple’s seven-story tower includes advanced engineering that allows the sound of its 2.5-ton bronze bell to be heard clearly throughout the complex.
• The main ceremonial hall features the largest Buddhist mural in Vietnam, spanning 96 square meters and depicting the complete history of Buddhism in Southeast Asia.
• A climate-controlled library houses over 3,000 ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, including rare palm-leaf scriptures from India and Tibet.
• The temple’s modern meditation center combines traditional design elements with sophisticated soundproofing technology to create optimal conditions for practice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit temples in Vietnam? 

The ideal time is during dry season (November to April) when the weather is pleasant. Many temples host special celebrations during Tet (Lunar New Year) in January or February.

Do I need to pay entrance fees for Vietnamese temples? 

Most temples are free to enter, though some larger complexes like Bai Dinh Pagoda charge modest entrance fees. Donations are always welcome but not required.

What should I wear when visiting temples in Vietnam? 

Modest dress is required – cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering prayer halls. Some temples provide cover-ups for visitors.

Are cameras allowed in Vietnamese temples? 

Photography is generally permitted in temple grounds but may be restricted in main prayer halls. Always ask permission before taking photos of monks or worshippers.

Can tourists participate in temple ceremonies? 

Most temples welcome respectful visitors during ceremonies. Stay quiet and follow locals’ lead regarding appropriate behavior.

What are the most important temples to visit in a limited time? 

Tran Quoc Pagoda and One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi, and Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue are considered must-visit temples that showcase Vietnam’s Buddhist heritage.

Are guided tours available at these temples? 

Many temples offer guide services or audio guides. Larger complexes like Bai Dinh Pagoda have official guides available.

Which temples are most historically significant? 

My Son Sanctuary (4th century) and Tran Quoc Pagoda (6th century) are among Vietnam’s oldest temples, offering deep insights into the country’s religious history.