Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda
A center of the Truc Lam Zen school and a monument of Buddhist architecture in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City
Temple/Pagoda
Cultural Heritage
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is a significant spiritual center in Ho Chi Minh City, combining features of both Vietnamese and Japanese architectural traditions. Founded in 1964, it has become a focal point for followers of the Truc Lam school as well as history enthusiasts eager to see authentic Buddhist relics recognized as world heritage.
- Visit duration
1–2 hours
- Average budget
Free
- Admission
Free
- Best months
Dec – Mar
- Local language
Vietnamese
What you need to know
The pagoda was designed by renowned architect Nguyen Ba Lang with the assistance of the Japan-Vietnam Association, giving the complex a unique look. The temple's signature landmark is its 40-meter, 9-story stupa.
Main attractions:
- Wooden printing blocks: A collection of over 3,050 carved woodblocks containing sutra texts, inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
- Statues of the Patriarchs: Antique statues of the three patriarchs of the Truc Lam Zen Buddhist school (19th century), designated as National Treasures of Vietnam in 2024.
As the home of the central administration of the Vietnam Buddhist Association, the pagoda remains an active venue for major ceremonies such as Vesak and the Vu Lan festival.
The period with the most comfortable temperatures (25–30°C). During the hot season (May–September), visiting the pagoda early in the morning is recommended.
On site
Address: 339 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, District 3, HCMC
- Opening hours
Open daily (approx. 06:00–19:00)
- Parking
~5,000 ₫
- Dress code
Covered shoulders and knees
- Footwear
Removed when entering the hall
- Cash
For donations and parking
- Tip
Very crowded on holidays (Tet, 1st and 15th days of the lunar month)