Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda

Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda (also known as Old Trà Tim Pagoda, Chruitim Chắs) is one of the oldest Khmer pagodas in the Sóc Trăng region of Southern Vietnam, built around the 15th–16th centuries. The pagoda stands out with hundreds of ancient, lush Hopea (sao) trees. These trees create a cool and peaceful atmosphere all year round.

Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda is located at 282 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Mỹ Xuyên Ward, Cần Thơ City.

Currently, in Mỹ Xuyên Ward there are up to three pagodas with the same name Trà Tim, which locals commonly call Old Trà Tim, New Trà Tim, and Middle Trà Tim. Based on its formation history, Old Trà Tim Pagoda (Chruitim Chắs Pagoda) is the oldest and most grand. According to Venerable Lý Đen, abbot of Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda, the pagoda's name in Khmer means "parallel." This name originates from the pagoda's former location on two parallel sandy ridges, with people farming in between, symbolising the relationship between religion and secular life, or the sun accompanying the moon.

According to the Sóc Trăng Gazetteer, there are two interpretations of the name Chrôi Tưm: firstly, "Chrôi" means land, cape, or mound, while tưm is an abbreviation of "tòm tưm," meaning parallel to each other. The second interpretation suggests that "Tưm" is an abbreviation of "Tổm Tưm," which means pomegranate, a fruit tree that was once common in this area but is now almost gone.

Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda was built in 1465. In 1962, Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda was the site of a protest by monks and Khmer people against the Saigon government's plan to relocate the pagoda to build a military airport, aiming to expand the area for attacks on the resistance movement. The pagoda also secretly sheltered revolutionary cadres and liberation soldiers. The Hopea trees contributed to protecting the pagoda during the years of resistance.

Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda is also an important centre for preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the Khmer people in Sóc Trăng. The pagoda is not only a place for religious activities but also a cradle nurturing traditional artistic values. Notably, it maintains a Ngũ âm (Five-tone) music ensemble, a Chhay dăm drum troupe, and a ghe ngo (traditional boat) team that consistently achieve high results, contributing vibrancy to festivals. Especially, the pagoda plays an important educational role, regularly offering free Khmer language classes during the summer.

Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda features unique architecture, decorated with traditional Khmer images and motifs. Colours such as orange and pink make the pagoda stand out from others. The grounds currently have hundreds of large Hopea trees; there are also traditional structures such as the sala (Khmer assembly hall), tăng xá (monks' residence) combining modern and traditional Khmer architecture, decorated with familiar motifs such as Neak dragons, Kenma celestial maidens, Dharma wheels, and Rêachsei lion statues guarding the purity of the Buddha's gate..., all embodying many cultural, historical, and communal values for local people.

Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda stands out with three unique gates and elaborately decorated fences. The main gate has five six-tiered towers, each tier enshrining a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. Just below is a red signboard with the pagoda's name in gold lettering in both Vietnamese and Khmer. The second gate is guarded by two Rêachsei lion statues, animals known as the lords of the sacred Himalayan forests. These two sacred creatures are depicted holding parasols and attending the Dharma wheel—a significant Buddhist symbol. The third gate is currently used as the entrance and exit for Phường 10 Primary School, as this school was built on land formerly belonging to the pagoda.

Surrounding the pagoda grounds is a uniformly decorated fence. Along the wall are Dharma wheels placed alternately, and above is a row of Buddha statues in succession. At intervals, there are pillars decorated with geometric patterns or bas-reliefs of celestial maidens. At the top of each pillar is a statue of the head of Maha Prum (the Four-faced God).

Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda began reconstruction in August 2018, and by February 2024, it was completed and put into use. The main hall is built in a neo-classical style, with a width of 18 m, a length of 30 m, and a height of 43 m.

The pagoda was classified as a Revolutionary Historical Site on 12 May 2004 under Decision No. 655/QĐ.HC.04 of the People's Committee of Sóc Trăng Province, and later recognised as a civilised place of worship, listed among provincial scenic spots and cultural relics on 12 May 2015.

Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda primarily worships Buddha Shakyamuni. At the centre of the main hall of Chrôi Tưm Chắs Pagoda is a solemn statue of the Buddha in a meditative posture, surrounded by vivid murals depicting his life and teachings.