Go Vap District is located in the Southeast of the Saigon city center. This is one of the areas where many temples and pagodas are built in Ho Chi Minh City. Six of the famous and sacred pagodas in Go Vap, Ho Chi Minh City will be mentioned in the following passages.
Mieu Noi Pagoda.
Mieu Noi Pagoda, also known as Phu Chau Temple, located on Vam Thuot River in Ward 5, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. This is one of the unique religious areas in Vietnam.
The Temple has a history of nearly 300 years, built during the reign of King Gia Long, afterwards the pagoda was abandoned for a long time. However, in 1989, Mr. Luc Cau was a Vietnamese-Chinese man, he spent money and mobilized local people here to restore the temple.
At the beginning, people build Mieu Noi Pagoda in the middle of the river to worship the God of Water and pray peace on the river. Nowadays, in addition to worshiping the statue of Mrs. Thuy Qi, the temple also worships the Buddha, the Holy Mother, the Great Saint Gia Gia and so on.
Mieu Noi Pagoda (Floating Temple) in Go Vap District is an architecture project showing the featured sculpture art of XVII – XVIII century. The Buddha statues, the Dragon statues, the wooden architectures, the worshiping objects are beautifully sculpted and nicely decorated. These things are made from harmonious combination between Chinese and Vietnamese architecture at that time.
Today, Mieu Noi Pagoda is a sacred place with a long history, which attracts many visitors frequently come to the city.
Ky Quang Pagoda 2
Ky Quang 2 Pagoda is currently located at 154 / 4A Le Hoang Thai, Ward 17, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. The pagoda was built in 1957 by a monk Thich Thien Quang and Chu Tang Ni pagoda of Ky Quang 1.
Ky Quang 2 Pagoda is one of the most unique pagodas in the city. The architecture of the pagoda is simulated 5 non-7 mountains (Ngu Hanh Son and That Son). The Ky Quang 2 consists of 18 mountains and 11 caves. Interestingly enough, around the temple there are Buddha statues placed.
More importantly, Ky Quang Pagoda 2 is a place to organize many charitable activities such as raising children with disabilities, medical examination and treatment for the poor.
Coming to Ky Quang 2, visitors not only feel the calmness, purity because the temple is located deep in the alley but also admire the unique beauty of the temple architecture.
Temple of Artists
The artist’s temple also called Nhut Quang Tu located at 116/6 Thong Nhat, Ward 11, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. The pagoda was founded in 1963.
The pagoda is named as Artists Pagoda (Nghe Si Pagoda) because there is a cemetery dedicated to the burial of Cai Luong artists. Artists Temple has a large campus covered with many trees.
Phap Bao Pagoda
Phap Bao Pagoda is sited on 78/41 Street 11, Ward 11, Go Vap, Ho Chi Minh City. The pagoda was built in 1970 by the monk Thich Nhu Niem.
The Pagoda’s architecture resembles the ancient pagoda in the North. The roof of the pagoda is built on many floors, the roof is swept over the head of the blade, and covered with traditional brown flake-colored tiles.
The true art of sculpture at Phap Bao Pagoda is sophisticated, especially the Dragon shapes on the temple and column roofs. Phap Bao Pagoda follows the Northern tradition, inside the temple there are many Buddha statues such as Shakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Buddha being worshipped and the Statue of Guan Yin of the Bodhisattva are placed inside a solemn, a large-sized rockery.
The temple grounds are not too large but they are planted with many trees in order to bring tourists the feeling of purity and peace which separates from the bustle and hustle of the city.
Gia Lam Pagoda
Gia Lam Pagoda, also known as Quang Huong Gia Lam, is at a tribute at 498/11 Le Quang Dinh, Ward 1, Go Vap, Ho Chi Minh City. The pagoda was built in 1961 by Venerable Thich Tri Thu.
The architecture of Gia Lam is similar to the Northern pagodas, including the Chanh Dien, the Tang, the To, Zen, Tam Quan and Thap Hoa pagodas. Besides, the temple also has a kitchen, a warehouse, a church and two ancient tombs in the temple campus.
The sculpture art is mostly used in the temples, especially on wooden pillars. Today, the area of Gia Lam Go Vap pagoda is more than 4,000m2. The pagoda is covered with many green trees, the pagoda space is quiet and solemn which is the ideal place visited by many people in the city.
Pho Minh Pagoda
Pho Minh Pagoda is situated at 02 Thien Ho Duong Street, Ward 1, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. The pagoda was built in 1934 and was restored in 1981.
The pagoda architecture is very unique, which is a combination of the Cambodian and Vietnamese pagodas. The Presbytery are built quite spacious and modern. In addition, the Xa Loi Stupa in the temple yard was built with 12m high.
