TOP 5 PAGODA'S OF HO CHI MINH CITY

Ho Chi Minh is a city that is slowly starting to modernize by building urban establishments such as smalls, restaurants, luxury accommodations, and more but despite these changes, the city is also preserving some of the country's most valued treasures. The city is home to some of the most architecturally magnificent pagoda's in the country and here are the top five.

As incense smoke fills the air, you will undoubtedly sense this temple's sacredness. As one of the most well-known Chinese temples in the city is the Jade Emperor Pagoda, this temple was built for the main Tao deity who is known as the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven. It also houses numerous statues of Buddhist and Taoist gods and heroes with some made from paper mache. Aside from that, the pagoda's architecture is stunning with the ceiling being covered in beautiful tile work.

Formally recognized as a historic site by the Vietnamese Department of Culture in 1988, this temple was built in 1744 and is one of the oldest in the city and is a place of pilgrimage. Home to one of the fascinating stupas (a place of meditation) in the nation as well as gilded statues and colourful wall panels, this temple draws pilgrims who hope to be healed by ringing the pagoda's bronze bell.

This modern pagoda, known as the Temple of the Buddha's Relic, is located in District 3 at the intersection of Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Street and was opened in 1958 to pay tribute to the Great Buddha (referred to as Xa Loi by the locals). The pagoda's design includes a chapel, bell tower, amphitheatre, library, and lodging for monks and tourists. The Xa Loi Pagoda was also the scene of a number of sacrifice-based monk protests against the Diem dictatorship and the American War.

A large wooden monument representing General Quan Cong's red horse and Nghia An, his devoted groom, is housed in this Pagoda which was founded by the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation and has become known for its stunning golden woodwork. Found in the Nguyen Trai neighbourboo (District 5), visitors to this temple who ring the bell around the horse statue's neck are said to receive blessings from it.

Built in the 1960s, this sacred place is found a short distance away from an amusement park in District 10. At seven stories (only the first two floors are open to the public), it is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the city.