Giac Vien Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City

Giac Vien Pagoda has been existing for more than 160 years in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), Vietnam. It explains why Giac Vien is considered the most ancient temple in Saigon and has held such important cultural and artistic significance in the mind and heart of the Vietnamese people.

Coming here, tourists can see a very peaceful, quiet and grave atmosphere, completely different from the lively vibe of Saigon. The pagoda promises to be a remarkable spiritual highlight in your vacation in Vietnam.

I. History Of Giac Vien Pagoda

Giac Vien Pagoda’s history connects to Giac Lam Pagoda, founded in 1744. Originally named Cam Dem Pagoda, it became Giac Lam in 1774 when Master Vien Quang took charge.

In 1798, Giac Lam Pagoda suffered severe damage, requiring Master Vien Quang to oversee repairs. Workers transported wood by water to Ho Dat wharf, about two kilometers from the pagoda. Master Vien Quang built a small house at the wharf to guard the precious wood and assigned a man called Huong Dang to watch over it.

During the six-year renovation of the pagoda, Huong Dang used the small house for Buddhist worship. In 1805, he received Master Vien Quang’s permission to build a temple named Quan Am Vien. In 1850, it officially became Giac Vien Pagoda.

Since its founding, it has had six generations of leadership. The pagoda underwent three renovations, with the first in 1899 led by Venerable Nhu Du. The second renovation occurred in 1910, when monk Nhu Phong rebuilt the pagoda with a completely new architectural design.

The third renovation, in the late 20th century, was led by Venerable Hong Hung, who served as abbot of both Giac Lam and Giac Vien Pagodas. As Venerable Hong Hung designed Giac Lam Pagoda, both temples share similar architectural structures.

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II. Highlights of Giac Vien Pagoda

1. Architecture

Giac Vien Pagoda blends Western and Vietnamese architectural styles, featuring ornate square columns and arched fronts while maintaining traditional Vietnamese simplicity.

The pagoda comprises two connected four-pillar houses. The front house serves as the main worship hall, while the back house contains lecture and living spaces. East and West corridors link to the main house, housing small altars. Gold-trimmed lacquered wooden columns display bilingual inscriptions.

Originally facing Ho Dat wharf, the pagoda now overlooks the Dam Sen tourist area. A serene garden of rare plants surrounds the temple’s rear. Though modest in size, the pagoda remains a significant Ho Chi Minh City landmark.

2. Recognition

Now 175 years old (as of 2025), Giac Vien ranks among Ho Chi Minh City’s five oldest temples. The Vietnamese government recognizes it as a cultural relic and wooden carving museum. Because of that, combined with the ancient and attractive architecture, Giac Vien has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations of Ho Chi Minh City, in particular, and the South of Vietnam, in general.

3. The Statues

Since the beginning until now, Giac Vien Pagoda increasingly owns many precious statues. The temple has a total of 153 statues made of jackfruit wood, Most of them were created in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They were displayed mostly in the main hall of Giac Vien Pagoda.

The statues here include many kinds, from the Buddha statue to the Arhat statue. All of them are important relics with unique cultural and artistic values that attract the attention of thousands of researchers and visitors from all over the world.

4. The Art of Decorating Curtains

“Bao lam” (decorative curtains) in Vietnamese pagodas separate the altar from other spaces, enhancing the sanctuary’s solemnity. Giac Vien Pagoda originally housed over 60 intricately carved curtains, with more than 50 surviving today. These curtains play a crucial role in Vietnamese culture, history, and art.

The remaining collection includes:

• 17 Buddhist-themed curtains
• 38 depicting Southern flora and fauna
• 9 in the main hall
• 23 in the Buddhist teaching area
• 9 each in the Tay Lang and Dong Lang corridors

The curtains showcase diverse genres and authentic Vietnamese artistry, representing a valuable heritage of ancient craftsmanship.

These carved “bao lam” not only display artistic excellence but also document Vietnam’s decorative arts evolution. Each curtain portrays Vietnamese folk culture and daily life. As one of Vietnam’s ancient pagodas maintaining its artistic integrity, Giac Vien Pagoda’s sculptural “bao lam” exemplifies Vietnamese Buddhist heritage.

III. Activities In and Nearby Giac Vien Pagoda

1. Praying in Tet Holiday

During Tet (Lunar New Year), Vietnamese people visit temples to pray for good fortune, health, and happiness. Giac Vien Pagoda ranks among Ho Chi Minh City’s most visited temples during this season.

Visitors to Ho Chi Minh City during Tet can join locals at pagoda for prayers and traditional incense offerings. While there, explore the pagoda’s historic architecture and cultural significance.

2. Visiting the Tomb Towers at Pagoda

Giac Vien Pagoda features a unique collection of tomb towers housing former abbots. Since the first tower’s construction in 1930, seven towers memorialize monks who managed the pagoda. Each tower showcases Vietnamese architectural and cultural elements.

Visitors can explore these towers alongside the pagoda’s exquisite carved curtains and rare bonsai collection.

3. Visiting Dam Sen Cultural Park

Dam Sen Park, located at 3 Hoa Binh Street, Ward 3, District 11, offers a second entrance on Lac Long Quan Street near Giac Vien Pagoda. Many combine visits to both attractions.

Admission prices vary by day, with higher weekend rates. The park features:

• Animal circus
• Roman square with European design
• Aquarium
• Adventure rides
• Entertainment venues

As one of Vietnam’s largest theme parks, Dam Sen Cultural Park complements the historic pagoda, offering visitors both traditional and modern Vietnamese experiences.

IV. How to Get to Giac Vien Pagoda

Giac Vien Pagoda is located in District 11, which is a little far from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. For example, the temple is located at least 7.5 kilometers from the famous Ben Thanh Market. It might be hard for you to travel by public transportations since the distance is quite far. Taxi is the ideal option, although it may cost a lot more money.

If you want to save money by traveling to the pagoda by public bus, there are several buses that will pass the roads near the temple, which are buses number 145, 148 and 62. Remember that the buses won’t be able to take you straight to Giac Vien Pagoda, you will have to walk for a while before reaching your destination.

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V. Things To Note

• There is no entrance fee
• Wear polite clothes
• Only pray for the right things

With a long history of more than 160 years, the pagoda has long become an important imprint of culture and artistic values in Ho Chi Minh City. The pagoda plays a remarkable role in the development of history and folk nature in Vietnam. If you ever have the chance to visit Ho Chi Minh City, Giac Vien Pagoda is really a must-see.