Thien Hau Temple, a unique blend of ancient beauty and traditional Chinese architecture, stands out among the bustling city of Saigon. This over 250-year-old pagoda, with its serene ambiance, offers a peaceful retreat for contemplation and well-wishing, making it a must-visit for travelers.
1. General info about Thien Hau Temple in Ho Chi Minh City
- Address: 710 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, HCMC, Vietnam.
- Opening hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
- Entrance fee: free. A cost will occur when you buy incense to burn to pray.
- Photography: Yes, allow tourists to take pictures, but limit doing it in the main hall to show respect.
2. The critical role of Thien Hau Temple
The Chinese in HCMC built Thien Hau pagoda in the 18th century, and it has become one of the top sacred places in Saigon. The local people often come to burn incense to pray for peace, especially during the Tet holidays in Vietnam.
In Vietnam, there are different sites to worship God, Buddha, or a hero. The people call them shrines, temples, or pagodas. To identify them quickly, the Vietnamese call the holiest places “pagodas.”
Thien Hau Pagoda, a cultural cornerstone for the Chinese community in Saigon, has stood for over 250 years, retaining its original Chinese architectural style. Its numerous sculpted lines and artefacts, each with high historical and artistic value, make it a compelling destination for both domestic and foreign visitors, solidifying its status as a famous tourist attraction in HCMC.
Although many other temples and pagodas are nearby, Thien Hau Pagoda always attracts many local people and visitors who do charity work there. This place is also a favourite area for photographers to take pictures of Tet, where the girls wear traditional ao dai for beautiful photos.
3. Highlights that you will notice in the temple
The Thien Hau Statue, carved from a block of a meter-high wood, is worshipped in the main hall. The statue was in a small temple in Bien Hoa District (Dong Nai Province), and it was moved to this pagoda in 1836. Ba Thien Hau is considered the patron god of fishermen and seafarers and is especially respected in Buddhism and Taoism in East Asian countries.
The temple has nearly 400 antiques, including 7 idol statues, 6 stone statues, 9 stone steles, and 4 copper incense burners, dating back to the 12th Quang Tu (1886).
The most impressive thing at the temple is also the round incense hanging on the ceiling. Visitors can buy these incense sticks and write their wishes on paper. Then, the temple worker will hang incense with the wishes inside, and the guests burn it to send prayers to whom and where they go.
The two rows of temple corridors are covered with papers bearing the visitors’ and sponsors’ names and merits. These areas are bright pink, which is very eye-catching.
4. Ba Thien Hau Temple’s architecture
If you want to see a Chinese temple in HCMC with pure Asian architecture, this site will be your first choice. The pagoda was built in a stylized three-door way of seeing the main entrance and two corridors on the sides.
Chua Ba Thien Hau is divided into three main places in Chinese history: the First, Central, and Main Halls worshipping the gods.
- The Main Hall is Thien Hau Thanh Mau’s principal place of worship. Here, you will see her statue carved from a prominent wooden block in an extremely tranquil, mysterious, and sacred space.
- The First Hall is the deity of Phuc Duc (Tho Dia – a land deity who controls the land of the people) and Mon Quan Vuong (the deity keeping the door).
- Finally, with a 130-year-old censer, the Central Palace has many meticulous and intricate sculptures.
Just behind the gate, the temple’s quietness impresses visitors, creating a serene scene. Everything is tinted with time, making the space even more tranquil.
Stepping through the small gate, you seem lost in a mysterious but familiar worshipping place.
The main buildings where religious activities are organized are throughout the temple. In the centre, a skylight allows light to go down and incense to fly up.
The two sides of the path are separated to make it easier for visitors to move when the area is crowded, especially on full moon days.
Looking at the roof of the temple, adorned with statues of various shapes and sizes, one can’t help but feel a sense of awe. The harmonious and intricate beauty of the decorations is truly inspiring, and it’s a testament to the talent and dedication of those who built and adorned the pagoda.
You can come to the middle of the main hall where Thien Hau is. The yellow-red light around her black statue becomes more shimmering and impressive. Even once you visit here, you will have a deep impression of that mysterious, holy appearance, which cannot be described in words.
5. Ba Thien Hau Festival
At Lunar New Year, or on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month, the local people and visitors often go to Ba Thien Hau pagoda to wish good luck.
Some people pray for fortune, grace, and talent; others wish for their blessing, peace, and tranquillity for family and relatives. A few guests come here to wish for children, but it is not the correct destination. To pray for children, the local people visit Jade Emperor Pagoda.
This is because many people come here, so the censer is always suspected of incense smoke. The temple workers are also busy taking the foot of the burned incense, leaving room for later visitors. Aromatic smoke melts into nothingness and flies in the wind, carrying wishes from the heart of prayers.
Typically, the 23rd of the third lunar month is an essential date for worshipping Ba Thien Hau, and many people participate in this big event.
On this day, the Thien Mau is placed on a palanquin, and the people carry her around the temple. Also, many activities involving unicorn dancing and performing arts have been performed, creating an exciting and festive space.
Visiting Ba Thien Hau Pagoda is not just about praying, it’s also an opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique cultural experience. Whether you’re exploring the ancient temple’s architecture or feeling the balance and serenity it offers, you’re sure to be intrigued by the rich cultural heritage of Thien Thien temple.
