When tourists arrive to Ho Chi Minh City, they should not miss the opportunity to see the Thien Hau pagoda, located in the middle of the city and considered a famous spiritual site. In addition to attracting tourists from the nearby area, the pagoda also attracts tourists from other nations who come to research and enjoy the hidden secret of this mysterious spot. These tourists come to the pagoda to discover and admire its hidden secrets. Even though Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling urban environment, the Thien Hau pagoda continues to function as a peaceful gathering place that calms the souls of those who are feeling worn out.

Thien Hau Pagoda Overview

• Address:: 710 Đ. Nguyễn Trãi, Phường 11, Quận 5, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
• Opening hours:
  • Morining: 6 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Afternoon:  1 PM – 4:30 PM
• Entrance fee: Free

After escaping the Vietnamese civil war in Cu Lao Pho,  a group of Chinese immigrants constructed the Thien Hau pagoda in the 1760s at Cho Lon which is today comprised of Saigon's districts 5, 6, 10, and 11. Within a short period of time, the Chinese began to construct local marketplaces and temples to promote and administer their companies. 

It has been suggested by the scholar Vuong Hong Sen that Lam Mac Nuong is the name of Thien Hau Thanh Mau, who is the primary deity worshipped within the pagoda. In the year 1044, on March 23rd, she was born, and she was born under the reign of King Tong Nhan Tong. She was able to read when she was eight years old, and she became a Taoist practitioner when she was eleven years old. She was blessed by God and received the poetry that God had written when she was thirteen years old. After that, she began to make an effort to achieve enlightenment.

When her father and two brothers were on a boat that was transporting salt to Jiangxi province for the purpose of trade, a very severe storm arrived... While she was at home at the time, she was weaving fabric next to her mother, but all of a sudden, she was unable to muster the courage to go and save her father and brothers.

Overview of Thien Mu Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh

While her hands were holding her brothers, she used her teeth to hold onto the shirt that belonged to her father. It was at that same moment that her mother called her and compelled her to answer. As a result, she had no choice but to open her mouth in order to respond, which caused the waves to sweep away her father, and she was only able to save her two brothers. Ever since that time, whenever the boat is in a precarious situation at sea, people have repeatedly phoned her. The Song Dynasty bestowed upon her the title of "Thien Hau Thanh Mau" in the year 1110.

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The architecture of Thien Hau Pagoda

There have been several modifications and restorations carried out on the Thien Hau Pagoda over the course of the years that have passed. This location, on the other hand, has not changed from its initial construction and design, and it features a distinctive architecture that is a reflection of Chinese culture.

After passing through the gate that has been brilliantly painted, visitors will be awestruck by the edifice that is formed like a seal and has three main halls: the main hall, the central hall, and the back hall. This adheres to the aesthetic ideals that were prevalent in the architecture of ancient Chinese temples. 

The sun is able to penetrate every nook and cranny of the building since there are open gaps between each of the halls at the building. 

The front hall

In the front hall, there are two altars that come to greet you: The locality guardian, Phuc Duc Chanh, is located on the left side of the picture, and the door god, Mon Quan Vuong Ta, is located on the right side. Throughout these deities, the story of Thien Hau Mother is written engraved down. Additionally, there are stone steles that recount the account of her life, as well as enormous paintings that represent her in the shape of a goddess.

Tourists burn incense at Thien Mu Pagoda

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The central hall

"Phat Lan" is the name of a collection of five urns that may be found in the middle chamber of the Thien Hau Pagoda. These exquisitely sculpted artefacts came into existence in the year 1886. There are historic palanquins and dragon boats that have been coated with gold painted on both sides of them. These are emblems of good fortune and safety for fisherman. 
 

The back hall

There is a massive statue of the Thien Hau Lady that may be found in the exact centre of the back hall. In the years leading up to the construction of the temple, this piece of artwork was carved from a wooden block that stood one metre tall. 

She is accompanied by statues of two goddesses of the water: Kim Hoa Nuong Nuong, who is on the right, and Long Mau Nuong Nuong, who is on the left. The embroidery on each of their garments is of the highest quality. 

Not only do the villagers worship the God of Wealth (Than Tai), but they also worship the God of Earth (Tho Dia) in the same hall. 

Thien Mu Pagoda architecture in the back hall

You will notice that there are a great number of incense rings hanging from the ceiling if you look up. Visitors have the option of purchasing a ring, writing their prayers down on a piece of paper, and then hanging the ring with incense sticks in order to pray to the Thien Hau Lady herself. The Chinese have the belief that if they engage in this behaviour, their prayers would be answered. 

How to get to the pagoda?

As was indicated, the Thien Hau Pagoda can be found in District 5, which is only a few minutes away from the central business district. Because of this, going there is a very convenient option. Straight ahead to Hung Vuong and Hong Bang from Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, then make a left turn onto Luong Nhu Hoc street. This is the route you can take.

There are 4 different travel choices available to tourists such as motorbike, taxi, bus or private car. Ho Chi Minh car rental service will the best choice for you. Renting a private car with a english driver will help you to have memoriable trip. 

It is not necessary for you to be concerned about getting lost or being crowded in the bustling city. With a private car, you will be able to travel between the various attractions in Ho Chi Minh City without having to pay any additional fees. Due to the fact that our private vehicle service does not have any hidden fees. If you enjoy having a private and comfortable area,  remember to book a private car with us thought Whatsapp 

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Tips for traveling Thien Hau Pagoda

You will have the opportunity to discover yet another element of Ho Chi Minh City if you travel to the Thien Hau Pagoda. In stark contrast to the pace of the metropolitan environment, which is characterised by a lot of activity and bustle, visitors will be able to experience a sense of tranquilly and serenity as soon as they enter the gate.  

Attributable to the temple's distinctive architecture, every nook and cranny of the structure exudes a certain allure that captivates the hearts of visitors. This is an absolutely perfect location for a photoshoot: even a plain brick wall may lend the perfect amount of nostalgia to your photographs, and the enigmatic atmosphere that is characteristic of the building will make them stand out from the crowd. 

Visitors are welcome at the temple throughout the entire year. However, if you are interested in the traditions and rituals of the inhabitants, you should visit on the 23rd of March during the lunar month. 

This is the time of year when the most significant traditional celebration on the southern coast of Vietnam takes place. A palanquin will be used by the community to transport the statue of Thien Hau Lady around the temple in order to pay tribute to her. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to celebrate the vibrant colours and sounds of the region while participating in thrilling activities such as lion dance, dragon dance, and live performances by traditional musical bands. 

The lion dance activity took place at Thien Mu Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh

Thien Hau Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City is open to visitors who choose to simply observe the building in peace and quiet during the remaining days of the festival. In order to feel the essence of Vietnamese culture, all you need to do is light an incense stick and pray for blessings to be bestowed upon your loved ones. 

It is not appropriate for you to wear summer clothes that are very revealing, such as tank tops, tennis skirts, or shorts, because the location is predominantly religious and quiet. The best choice is to wear a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that are unadorned and uncomplicated. This will allow you to explore the area in greater comfort while also demonstrating that you respect the location.

In the city of Ho Chi Minh, the Lady Thien Hau pagoda is considered to be one of the oldest historical pagodas to be built by the Chinese people. This location is not only significant for the architectural art, sculpture, and historical artefacts that it contains, but it is also a place where Vietnamese people of Chinese heritage (also known as Cantonese) may congregate and offer support to one another.

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