Jade Emperor Pagoda - Where President Obama visited in Saigon

If you have a chance to visit Ho Chi Minh City, which is renowned by active and modern beauty, you will be so surprised by a one-hundred-year-old pagoda nestled with high buildings and in a bustling commercial center – Jade Emperor Pagoda.

In Vietnamese, it is known as Chùa Ngọc Hoàng (aka Phước Hải Tự). As one of the most visited Ho Chi Minh attractions, the pagoda is a familiar religious place for local people as well as domestic and foreign tourists.

I. Overview of Jade Emperor Pagoda

1. History

Jade Emperor Pagoda was built in the early 20th century by a Chinese man whose name is Luu Minh, who left China and went to Vietnam to live and do business. He is a believer of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, so he wanted to construct a pagoda to worship Buddha and Jade Pagoda.

In 1982, super Buddhist monk Thich Vinh Khuong took over the pagoda. From that, the pagoda has pertained to the Vietnam Buddhist Association.

In 1984, Jade Emperor Pagoda was renamed Phuoc Hai Tu. However, people still call ”Jade Emperor Pagoda” because the central chamber is a place to worship the Jade Emperor according to Chinese religious belief.

Jade Emperor Pagoda was restored 4 times in 1943, 1958, 1985 and 1986.

In 1994, the pagoda was recognized as an Artistic and Architecture site of national significance.

In 2016, the pagoda had the honor of getting a visit of President of USA, Barack Obama.

2. Legend

The Jade Emperor rules as supreme god of heaven and earth, controlling human fates. Other deities assist him in governing the realms.

The Jade Emperor Pagoda helps with fertility. Childless couples pray to Kim Hoa Thanh Mau and 12 midwives. Kim Hoa Thanh Mau oversees fertility on earth.

Visitors seeking children wear red threads on their wrists. For a son, they hang the thread on the right statue; for a daughter, on the left. The ritual involves rubbing their stomach three times, then the children’s statue, then their stomach again. When successful, they bring fruits, incense, and flowers to thank the goddess.

For love wishes, visitors burn incense, speak both names, and touch the matchmaker statue. In the central chamber, people pray to the Jade Emperor for health, career, and business success.

II. Highlights of Jade Emperor Pagoda

1. Traditions

In the past, the 9th of January ( according to Lunar Calendar) was chosen to be the date of birth of the Jade Emperor, so on that day, people often prepared many offerings to worship and pray Jade Emperor for their health, happiness, and success.

Nowadays, people still obey old traditions, go to the pagoda and worship the deities on special occasions such as Lunar New Year, Buddha Birthday, Mid-autumn or the first day and the fifteenth day of each month.

2. Structure

Jade Emperor Pagoda is an old large pagoda with an area of 2300 square meters, which makes a comfortable space for everyone to walk and visit. 

2.1. Outside:

Jade Emperor Pagoda is designed impressively which bases on Chinese religious architecture style with many pictures and walls decorated gorgeously. The roof is covered by colorful Yin-Yang tiles. There are some statues on the roof and gables.

In front of the pagoda, there is a small temple with a guardian statue. The three-door temple gate is outstanding with meandering lines which looks like the shape of waves.

In the middle of the yard, there is a fish tank and a turtle tank on the right where people set free to eager for a quiet life.

2.2. Inside:

There are many paintings, statues, and altars made from different materials such as wood, ceramic and cardboard. The pagoda has about 300 statues, including 100 statues made of cartridge-papers, presenting the genies meeting the Jade Emperor. 

Jade Emperor Pagoda includes 3 halls: front hall, mid-hall, and main hall. The front hall has a Buddha statue. Tourists often burn incense and pray for wishes when getting inside the pagoda.

In the main hall, there are 2 wooden statues of general gods, who tame tigers and dragons, on both sides. This is the place for worshipping Jade Emperor, attracting many visitors to visit and pray for. 

Besides, there is the altar of Kim Hoa Thanh Mau and 12 midwives. This is the most crowded area because many people go there to pray for offspring. On the right of the main hall, Quan Am statue is put in solemn position. 

III. Best Time to Visit

Jade Emperor Pagoda is a famous pagoda in Saigon. Due to a large number of tourists visiting this site daily, you had better visit the pagoda early in the morning in order to avoid the crowd and enjoy the peaceful and quiet atmosphere here.

IV. How to Get to Jade Emperor Pagoda from City Centre?

Jade Emperor Pagoda is in the center of Ho Chi Minh City so it is very easy for you to get there. For instance if you transfer from Reunification Palace, it just takes 10-15 minutes and cost 50,000 VND – 100,000 VND for a taxi ride there.

Depend on accommodations, conditions, hobbies, etc. you can choose any type of transportation suitable for you, namely motorbike, bus, taxi or walking. Each of them brings to you specific interesting experiences.

And please don’t miss the highlight Ho Chi Minh City tours which bring you a cultural journey and many meaningful moments!

If you want to discover a diversified culture, Jade Emperor Pagoda will be an ideal site for your itinerary. Don’t forget to comment below and share your emotions and truthful experience after visiting this site.