Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Saigon/HoChiMinh City

The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is one of the largest pagodas in Vietnam. It was built in traditional Vietnamese style but unlike other pagodas in the country, it was the first to be built with concrete rather than wood.

The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda stands on the site of a wooden Ly Dynasty pagoda that dates back to 1225. Two monks from North Vietnam, Thich Tam Giac and Thich Thanh Kiem, worked to rebuild the old pagoda in concrete ensuring durability. The design was by eminent architect, Nguyen Ba Lang and it was built between 1964 and 1971.

The Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is a complex of several unique buildings. All the structures have Chinese style roofs with upturned cornices. The Avalokitesvara Stupa in the left part of the upper courtyard is the largest Buddhist building in Vietnam. It consists of seven floors. A large bell donated by the Japanese Buddhist Sanga hangs next to the Stupa. The ground floor has the offices of the temple, a library and an auditorium. The grand sanctuary is on the second floor and visitors are not allowed. Another tower with a curved roof holds urns containing ashes of Buddhist monks. The quiet secluded Vinh Nghiem Pagoda becomes a crowded bustling venue during Buddhist festivals.