About Xa Loi Pagoda
Xa Loi Pagoda is a major Buddhist pagoda located at 89 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Street in District 3, central Ho Chi Minh City. Built between 1956 and 1958 to enshrine a relic of the Buddha, it was the largest pagoda in the city at the time of completion. Notable for its modern architectural style, seven-storey tower and spacious main hall, it serves as an important centre for Buddhist practice, study and cultural activities.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a large, active Buddhist pagoda complex in central District 3 with a prominent seven-storey tower, an open courtyard, and a spacious main hall housing a large seated Buddha statue and Buddhist artworks. The grounds include shrines, bell tower, and areas for prayer and contemplation. The environment is generally calm and respectful, with monks and devotees present, and visitors can explore the main hall, courtyard and exterior architecture.
Key highlights
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Seven-storey octagonal tower housing Buddhist relics and bells
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Spacious main hall with large gilded Shakyamuni Buddha statue
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Enshrined relic of the Buddha gifted from India
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Modern Vietnamese Buddhist architecture from 1956-1958
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Active centre for Buddhist study and ceremonies
History of Xa Loi Pagoda
Constructed between 1956 and 1958 and inaugurated on May 2, 1958, Xa Loi Pagoda was built to enshrine a relic of the Buddha. Designed by architects Tran Van Duong and Do Ba Vinh, it was the largest pagoda in Saigon at the time and introduced a modern architectural style combining traditional and contemporary elements. It has since served as a significant Buddhist institution in southern Vietnam.
Culture & Context
Xa Loi Pagoda is an important Buddhist religious site in Ho Chi Minh City, serving as a place of worship, study and community gathering for Vietnamese Buddhists. It enshrines a sacred relic of the Buddha and houses Buddhist statues, murals and scriptures, reflecting Vietnamese Buddhist traditions and contemporary religious architecture.
Route
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