Thien Hau Pagoda: A 250-year-old Spiritual Place of Saigon

Saigon is not always hustle with the rhythm of urban life, it still has its own quiet corner to soothe the soul, for every busy day. Thien Hau Pagoda is a popular spiritual destination of Saigonese when they feel empty. The temple located in the heart of the city, not only attracts tourists in the country but also foreign travelers to explore the secret hidden behind.

Located on Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Thien Hau Pagoda is considered a spiritual home that has a great influence on the cultural life of Chinese people living in the city. The pagoda was built in 1760 and was recognized as a national architectural monument in 1993. After 256 years of existence, Thien Hau Pagoda still retains the unique architecture despite several time of reparation. If you want to find a pagoda with typical Chinese architecture and original Asian style, visiting Thien Hau Pagoda is the right choice for you. The temple was built in a three-way, stylized in the main entrance and two more corridors on either side.

Visitors can easily recognize the temple's calm when they come to the gate. Everything seemed to be colored by the time, which makes the space secluded. People passing through the small gate will be lost in the mysterious and familiar part of the mystery. Throughout the temple, the main part is also a place for religious activities. In the middle, there is a sky-wells to let the smoke fly up high, making the fresh air below. The two sides are the paths which are clearly separated, making it easier for visitors to travel, especially on festivals or full moon.

One of the highlights of Thien Hau Pagoda that is not mixed with any other pagodas is the building materials are all imported from China. From large reliefs to small statues, from precious trees to full-flowered bowls. This proves that Thien Hau Pagoda is very important to the Chinese in Saigon in particular and the whole country in general. Like many other temples, Thien Hau Pagoda is crowded with people on the holidays and full moon festival. When the flowers are still flavor shining in spring, the over 250-year-old temple in Saigon is always busy with people. Not only the Chinese but also the Vietnamese and foreign tourists are attracted by the charm of Thien Hau temple.

There are people praying for love, wealth and health, they also simply pray for peace, for a lifetime of security with the family. The space is fulfilled with incense smoke. The smell of incense in the wind, vanishing into the air, carrying the aspirations from the bottom of the heart, surrounding on the hair...

#ww