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Did you know that without traveling all the way to Thailand, you can still admire the architectural masterpiece of the Land of Golden Temples right in Saigon? Join BDATrip to explore Buu Long Pagoda, a temple with unique and vibrant Thai architecture nestled in the bustling city, through the following article!
Buu Long Pagoda is a famous tourist destination in Ho Chi Minh City, symbolizing the harmonious architecture of three cultures: Thailand, India, and Vietnam. The temple was established in 1942 by layman Vo Ha Thuat, initially just a small wooden house on a large plot of approximately 4,000 m2.
In 1958, the pagoda was transferred to Venerable Hoa Thuong Ho Tong, the first Patriarch of the Original Buddhist Church of Vietnam, and was renamed Thien Vien To Đinh Buu Long. 2007 marked a new phase in the temple's history with significant investments in construction and renovation under the skilled leadership of Abbot Thich Vien Minh.
Buu Long Pagoda is about 20 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The temple welcomes visitors from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, offering an opportunity for peaceful exploration. The exact address of the pagoda is 81 Nguyen Xien, P. Long Binh, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City.
Buu Long Pagoda, an architectural masterpiece of Buddhism, has been honored in the list of "Top 10 Most Beautifully Designed Buddhist Buildings in the World" by the prestigious National Geographic. Peacefully located beside the Đong Nai river, the pagoda, like a radiant flower, has become a spiritual tourist attraction.
Often referred to as the "Thai Pagoda" due to its harmonious blend of Thai architecture and Vietnamese culture, the design of the pagoda bears the hallmark of Master Vien Minh. He creatively designed a unique space, inspired by the ancient Buddhist architecture of India.
The pagoda comprises various areas such as the precincts, main hall, dining hall, monks' quarters, and meditation hall. The most prominent feature is the Gotama Cetiya tower, commenced in 2007 and completed after six years. The tower, covering an area of over 2,000 m² and standing at an impressive height of 70m, is the largest structure in Vietnam, consisting of 5 towers, with the main one being the tallest with 7 floors. The ground and second floors serve as a hall, the third and fourth floors as meditation halls, and the fifth floor is reserved for enshrining Buddha's relics and the saints.
When traveling by motorcycle or car, visitors should choose the route of Nguyen Huu Canh - Hanoi Highway - Nguyen Duy Trinh - Nguyen Xien as it is less congested and has many signs for newcomers to Saigon.
If you opt for public transport, bus lines such as 50, 52, 53, 68, 86, 150 will take you near the pagoda. From Nguyễn Xiển bus stop, visitors can walk about 1km or use a motorbike taxi or electric bike to continue the journey.
For those who prefer the convenience of taxis or Grab, simply enter the address of Buu Long Pagoda in the app and choose the suitable vehicle. The cost will depend on the distance and travel time.
Escaping the hustle and bustle of Saigon, Buu Long Pagoda offers a serene space with its 11ha precincts filled with diverse vegetation.
The precincts are divided into many uniquely designed areas, each with its distinct character: from flower gardens to fruit orchards, vegetable gardens to herbal gardens, bonsai gardens, orchid gardens, lotus gardens. Moreover, the garden also houses various animals, bees, butterflies, each reflecting a unique beauty, creating a vibrant and harmonious picture of nature.
Standing out at Buu Long Pagoda is the Gotama Cetiya tower, a masterpiece of architecture with unique and majestic beauty. The tower, 72m high with 7 floors, each decorated with 12 windows symbolizing the 12 causes in Buddhism, is a total harmony of art and spirituality, with large stones, hand-painted murals, and exquisite statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas and Bodhisattvas.
Moreover, the tower is adorned with 84,000 bronze lotus vases, each representing one of the 84,000 Dharma methods of Buddhism. The most striking feature of the tower is a 3.5-ton copper ball coated in 24k gold, reflecting sunlight to create a dazzling and mystical beauty. The structure and decoration of the Gotama Cetiya tower not only symbolize the loftiness in architecture but also deeply represent the spirit of Buddhism.
Buu Long Pagoda is often likened to a mini Thai corner in the heart of Saigon, resembling a living work of art with its distinctive architecture of the Land of Golden Temples. The temple stands out with its soaring arched roofs, mighty pillars, and walls painted in gold, green, red, and white, creating a splendid and magnificent space.
Additionally, the pagoda displays bronze Buddha statues, hand-painted murals narrating the life and work of Buddha, as well as statues of dragons, phoenixes, tigers, and elephants, deeply reflecting Thai culture.
For rest and relaxation after visiting the pagoda, you can find several nearby hotels such as:
- Hoang Gia Hotel: Located at 15 Le Van Viet Street, about 5km from the pagoda. The hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms with prices ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND/night.
- Thanh Binh Hotel: Situated at 14 Le Van Viet Street, approximately 5km from the pagoda with prices ranging from 300,000 to 600,000 VND/night.
- Ngoc Lan Hotel: Located at 1 Le Van Viet Street, about 6km from the pagoda. The hotel offers modern, luxurious rooms with prices ranging from 700,000 to 1,500,000 VND/night.
To experience local cuisine after visiting the pagoda, you can visit the following enticing dining spots:
- Thanh Tung Restaurant: Located at 1 Nguyen Xien, about 2km from the pagoda. The restaurant specializes in Vietnamese cuisine, offering dishes like cơm tấm, bún bò, bún riêu, bánh xèo, bánh canh. Reasonably priced, with dishes ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 VND.
- Phuong Nam Restaurant: At 2 Nguyen Xien, just 2km from the pagoda. Famous for Southern Vietnamese dishes like hu tieu, bun mam, banh canh, banh bot loc, banh beo. Cozy and clean ambiance with attentive service. Prices range from 25,000 to 60,000 VND per dish.
- Thai Restaurant: Located at 3 Nguyễn Xiển, 2km from the pagoda. Specializes in Thai cuisine, offering dishes like pad thai, tom yum, som tam, khao pad, bringing authentic Thai flavors to Saigon.
When visiting temples, places of quiet contemplation, and respect, visitors should remember the following guidelines to ensure a pleasant experience:
- Choose modest, simple, or formal attire, avoiding overly revealing or elaborate outfits.
- Maintain respectful behavior and language, avoiding any disrespect in the sacred precincts.
- Do not eat or drink within the temple, especially non-vegetarian food, and do not use non-vegetarian offerings for worship.
- Adhere to photography rules, avoiding restricted or unauthorized areas.
- Remove shoes before entering the towers and keep them in designated areas.
- Limit photography and filming inside the temple to maintain a serene atmosphere.
- Researching the history, architecture, and attractions of the pagoda will make your visit more meaningful and memorable.
- Finally, plan your route and transportation method to the pagoda accordingly.
Buu Long Pagoda with its beauty blending traditional Buddhist architecture and unique Thai cultural elements, will surely be a memorable experience for all visitors.
Tourist attractions in Saigon:
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