Hue Nghiem Pagoda

Looking at the Tam Quan gate and the architecture of Hue Nghiem Pagoda at 204 Dang Van Bi Street, Binh Tho Ward, Thu Duc District, "few people know" that this is one of the oldest historical pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City, dating back nearly 300 years. It can be considered as evidence of the spiritual life of the early settlers.

Hue Nghiem Pagoda (Hue Nghiem Ancient Pagoda) was founded in 1721 by Master Thiet Thuy, the 35th patriarch of the Lam Te Chanh Tông Zen sect. It was built in a low-lying area, about 100 meters away from the current pagoda.

Initially, it was just a small temple built by the founder for meditation, near a small branch of the Saigon River, close to the residential area, which was often near rivers and canals for convenient trade and transportation.

Over the course of nearly 300 years, the pagoda has undergone several major renovations (in 1960, 1969, 1990), with the largest one taking place at the end of the 19th century (in 2003), resulting in significant architectural changes. It features overlapping tiled roofs, curved and soaring eaves, and decorative lotus flowers on the roof ridges. The most recent major renovation took place in 2011. Today, the pagoda has a modern architectural appearance.

It is also an important Buddhist relic, a place of residence, religious practice, and spiritual cultivation for many respected Buddhist monks who possess wisdom and morality. The pagoda is also evidence of the architectural skills and cultural practices of the Vietnamese people in the newly settled and developed lands.

The pagoda is the birthplace of many prominent Buddhist monks in Southern Vietnam, such as Zen Master Te Giac - Quang Chau, also known as Tien Giac - Hai Tinh, Zen Master Dat Ly - Hue Luu, Most Venerable Thich Tu Van, Most Venerable Thich Tri Duc, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang. Zen Master Te Giac - Quang Chau is considered the most important patriarch in the South in the 19th century.

Every year, numerous monks and Buddhist followers from all over come to the pagoda to participate in ceremonies commemorating the founding of the temple on the 6th and 10th days of the lunar calendar, as well as the commemoration of Hue Luu on the 12th day of the first lunar month.

The pagoda has been a renowned ancient temple in the city, regularly welcoming Buddhist followers and domestic and foreign tourists for sightseeing and worship.

Today, the pagoda is commonly referred to as Hue Nghiem 1 to distinguish it from Hue Nghiem 2 Pagoda in District 2.

Visiting: Free of charge

Opening hours: from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.

Address: 204 Dang Van Bi Street, Binh Tho Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.