Ông Mẹt Pagoda

Ông Mẹt Pagoda ("Lokta Meas" in Khmer, pronounced by Vietnamese as Ông Mẹt due to difficulty pronouncing Ta Meas) has the official Khmer name Bodhisálaràja, and is also known as Kom Pong Pagoda. The pagoda is located in Trà Vinh ward, Vĩnh Long province, Vietnam.

This is a very ancient pagoda in Trà Vinh. According to oral tradition, the pagoda was first established around the year 642 in the area near the current provincial stadium. Around the year 711, the pagoda was relocated to its present site.

The current pagoda covers an area of 12,900 m². The main hall was renovated in the early years of the 20th century. It is a rectangular building facing east, situated on a high three-tiered foundation. The pagoda roof is tiled and has three layers. The topmost roof is steeper than the others. The corners of the roof's ridge are adorned with soaring, curving dragon tails. Between the roof levels are wooden eaves, carved with decorative patterns, to shield from rain and sun. Along the roof ridges lie elongated dragons (phu chông). At the ends of the outer corridor columns are statues of the dancer Kaynor, arms outstretched to support the tiled roof. The columns, beams, struts, purlins, and ceiling of the main hall are all made of precious wood, lacquered and gilded, and intricately carved with various motifs. The walls are painted with sequential scenes from the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. The roof is adorned with unique dragon sculptures. As with other pagodas of the Khmer Theravāda tradition, the main hall of Ông Mẹt Pagoda enshrines only Shakyamuni Buddha.

In addition to the main hall, the pagoda grounds also feature a library built in 1916, in the style of a stilt house, facing east, with staircases at both ends. The library is divided into three sections: the central section for displaying books, and two side sections for reading. The library floor is made of precious wood. The column bases are built of brick to prevent termites and dampness. The column heads and interior struts are carved with decorative patterns and lacquered and gilded. The western gable is carved with sunflowers, while the eastern gable features two lions holding umbrellas shading a tray for scriptures. Notably, the central section contains a wooden screen that is a unique work of art. Over time, the pagoda has undergone several renovations, but these two structures (the main hall and the library) have retained their architectural and artistic value.

To facilitate the study and practice of monks from various places, in 2001 the pagoda built the Đại Đoàn Kết Tăng xá (Great Unity Monks' Residence).

The pagoda belongs to the Khmer Theravāda Buddhist tradition, and is currently the site of the Khmer Theravāda Buddhist Intermediate School.

On 3 March 2009, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 834/QĐ-BVHTTDL recognising Ông Mẹt Pagoda as a National Heritage Site of the category of architectural and artistic monuments.