Viên Minh Pagoda (Bến Tre)

Overview & history

Viên Minh Pagoda is located at 156 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street, in An Hội Ward, Vĩnh Long Province. The pagoda was built in 1874 on an area of 3,358 m²; originally, this site was a miếu (spirit shrine) dedicated to Quan Công (Lord Guan). At first, the pagoda was constructed simply and on a small scale, with the interior dedicated to the Buddha and a statue of Quan Thánh Đế, in accordance with the beliefs of both the Hoa (Chinese) and Vietnamese communities. From 1951 to 1959, the pagoda was rebuilt, and its architecture has remained unchanged to this day. In 2002, the pagoda underwent further renovations, making it more spacious and dignified. In the front courtyard, two additional statues were installed: a 3-metre-tall statue of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (Quan Thế Âm) standing on a lotus pedestal with cranes flanking either side, and a 7-metre-tall Buddha Śākyamuni (Thích Ca) altar. The main hall area is also arranged solemnly; notably, there are two Buddha statues—Amitābha (Di Đà) and Śākyamuni (Thích Ca)—with their cores made from bamboo strips.

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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.