Vietnam PagodasDictionary of Vietnamese pagodas & temples

Vàm Ray Pagoda

Vĩnh Long(formerly Trà Vinh)(Chùa Vàm Ray)

Overview & history

Vàm Ray Pagoda is a pagoda located in Hàm Giang commune, Vĩnh Long province, and is the largest Khmer pagoda in Vietnam.

Geography

Vàm Ray Pagoda is situated in Vàm Ray hamlet, Hàm Tân commune (formerly Hàm Giang commune), Trà Cú district, with a history spanning over 600 years. To preserve the remaining ancient relics, Mr. Trầm Bê sponsored the restoration and renovation, which took 3 years with a total cost of over 1 million USD.

History

Vàm Ray Pagoda (Compongpdhipruhs Bonraichas Pagoda) began restoration and renovation on 3 May 2004 and was completed on 3 March 2008, with the official inauguration taking place on 22 May 2010.

The pagoda features Angkor architectural style, a distinctive architecture of the Cambodian people. The main hall (chánh điện) of Vàm Ray Pagoda has 4 gates, with the main gate facing east, as is typical of Khmer pagodas in southern Vietnam. Viewed from the outside, the pagoda resembles a golden palace with meticulously carved patterns and motifs. The pagoda houses a statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni entering Nirvana, 54 metres in length.

Photos

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Visiting tips

Dress modestly; remove hats and keep quiet inside the main hall.
Incense, flowers and offerings are usually sold right outside the gate; light an odd number of sticks (1 or 3).
Most pagodas open from early morning to evening and are free to enter (some major sites charge a small scenic fee).
Full-moon days, the 1st of the lunar month and Tet are very crowded; visit on weekday mornings for a quiet experience.
Ask permission before photographing inside shrines; do not touch statues or altar objects.

Read more & references

Useful links to learn more before your visit:

Location

Coordinates: 9.65528, 106.27473

🧭 Directions on Google Maps

References

Other pagodas in Vĩnh Long

Chùa Viên Minh (Bến Tre)

Viên Minh Pagoda is located at 156 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street, within the An Hội ward area, Vĩnh Long province. The pagoda was built in 1874, covering an area of 3,358 m², on a site that was originally a miếu (spirit shrine) dedicated to Quan Công (Guan Yu). At first, the pagoda was constructed in a simple and modest manner, with the interior enshrining both the Buddha and a statue of Quan Thánh Đế (Emperor Guan), reflecting the beliefs of both the Hoa (Chinese) and Vietnamese communities. From 1951 to 1959, the pagoda was rebuilt, and its architecture has been preserved unchanged to this day. In 2002, the pagoda underwent further renovations, making it more spacious and dignified. In the front courtyard, two additional statues have been installed: a 3-metre-tall statue of Quan Thế Âm (Avalokiteśvara) standing on a lotus pedestal with cranes flanking both sides, and a 7-metre-tall statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. The main hall area is also arranged in a solemn manner, especially featuring two Buddha statues—Amitābha and Shakyamuni—whose cores are made of bamboo strips.

Chùa Hang (Trà Vinh)

Chùa Hang (Trà Vinh)

Kompông Chrây Pagoda (meaning 'banyan tree wharf'), also known as Kompongnikroth, has its main name as Kompông Chrây because in the past, there was a ferry wharf under a banyan tree in front of the pagoda's gate. Later, as the side gate was designed to resemble a cave, people began to call it 'Chùa Hang' ('Cave Pagoda'). The pagoda belongs to the Khmer Theravāda Buddhist tradition and is located in Hamlet 4, Châu Thành Commune, Vĩnh Long Province, Vietnam.

Chùa Ông Mẹt

Ông Mẹt Pagoda (លោកតាមាស 'Lokta Meas') is commonly called Ông Mẹt because Vietnamese pronunciation cannot render 'Ta Meas'. The official Khmer name of the pagoda is Bodhisálaràja, and it is also known as Kom Pong Pagoda. The pagoda is located in Trà Vinh ward, Vĩnh Long province, Vietnam.

Chùa Bồ Đề (Vĩnh Long)

Bồ Đề Pagoda is located in Mỹ Hưng hamlet, Mỹ Hoà commune, Bình Minh district, Vĩnh Long, about 30 km west of Vĩnh Long town and 2 km southeast of Cần Thơ city. Bồ Đề Pagoda was built in the mid-19th century. This place is a site of practice for many devout followers and many highly virtuous, eminent monks.

Chùa Tiên Châu

Tiên Châu Pagoda, also known as Tiên Châu Tự, and also called Di Đà Pagoda, is one of the oldest pagodas in Vĩnh Long province (Vietnam).

Chùa Đông Thiền

Chùa Đông Thiền is a Buddhist pagoda in Vĩnh Long (formerly Bến Tre province), Vietnam. Its location comes from OpenStreetMap community data; further details will be added when reliable sources become available.