The Vinh NghiemTemple represents the most authentic Buddhist architecture of Vietnam and attracts the greatest number of visitors, year around.It is one of the biggest pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City located at 339, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, close to any Ho Chi Minh serviced apartment of Somerset Ho Chi Minh City. Being a recent monument, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda has both a modern touch of Japanese architectural style and inspiration from traditional Vietnamese structure, which makes it a strong, stable and majestic, beauty. It is the first pagoda in Vietnam with Vietnamese traditional architectural style but built with a combination of modern and ancient elements.
Sitting next to the canal, Vinh Nghiem looks like an ordinary Buddhist pagoda, but a large one with a vast seven-floor, 40m high tower called Kwan-in, the biggest among Vietnamese temples. Finished in 1971, it is a modern place and is one of the first pagodas in town to be built with concrete.
The pagoda is part of a larger complex that includes a large school; the main sanctuary is a large building that sits in the middle of the courtyard. Inside is a long hall with a large shrine to Buddha as well as some other relics. The 40-metre stupa, to the left of the gate and main hall complex, is notable as being the tallest Buddhist structure in all of Vietnam.
Although the place is big, the best reason to visit Vinh Nghiem is to witness one of the many celebrations the temple where, the large area becomes packed with people on important days, and one can follow the crowd to partake in the activities.
Tourists coming at these times may observe traditional activities of Buddhist such as giving away lucky-money as good buds for the start of a new year. However, for visitors who want to enjoy inner peace of a Buddhist pagoda, normal days are better which are more peaceful.
Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.
