Vinh Long has great potential to develop spiritual cultural tourism associated with garden ecotourism because there are many communal houses and pagodas that are ranked as historical-cultural relics at the provincial and national level. Recently, Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda Vinh Long (Jade Buddha) is well known because it is one of the famous destinations not only for Buddhists, seniors, and young people in Vinh Long province but also for young people in Mekong Delta. There are many tourists from all over the world coming to visit, worship, and so on. It is also a place to save beautiful photo frames, “virtual check-in” points of today’s youth.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Vinh Long Visitor Guide
1. Better to Know as a Tourist
Ticket: Free
Spend-time: One hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dust
Food: Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/phat-ngoc-xa-loi-pagoda-jade-buddha-vinh-long/
Address: Located in Vinh Hoa hamlet, Tan Ngai ward, Vinh Long city, Vinh Long province, at the foot of My Thuan bridge.
Added values: Coming here, in addition to praying sincerely to Buddha, finding a peaceful place to relieve sorrow, the space of this temple makes us imagine this is a miniature ancient film set.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Temple of the Emerald Buddha? Or maybe you found it too crowded here? We’ve got some ideas! Check out our list: Vinh Long Pottery & Brick Kiln Factory (23 minutes), Van Thanh Mieu Temple (18 minutes), Coconut Candy Traditional Village in Vinh Long (09 km), Tra on floating market (41,4 km), Vinh Long museum (15 minutes), Phu Ly Khmer Pagoda (34 km), May Islet (41 km), An Binh Islet (10 km), . . .
2. Travel Guide to Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda
First, let’s learn about the history of the formation of the Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda (Jade Buddha) in Vinh Long.
The origin of this Shari stupa was the idea of Most Venerable Thich Thien Hoa. Because, in 1970 Venerable NaraDa invited three Buddha relics, from Nepal India to donate to the Southern Vietnamese Buddhist Association in Vinh Long province, from which Venerable Thich Thien Hoa initiated the construction of the stupa to worship Buddha relics and establish the Buddhist Cultural Center.
By 1972, the construction of a ground floor and two floors had to be unfinished because of the lack of funds, partly due to the influence of the war. From 1975 to 2008, the Bao Thap was abandoned and suffered from ruin.
In 2010, the Stone Laying Ceremony started to build the Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda in Vinh Long province and Bao Thap Xa Loi Buddha, but then, due to the general economic downturn, the two main sponsors did not do it. As the initial wish was achieved, the construction work stopped again. After 5 years, the project had to be unfinished for the second time.
By the beginning of 2015, following the enthusiasm of the previous generation, the late Most Venerable Thich Dac Phap and the Vinh Long province together with the fervent devotion to the Buddhadharma of monks and nuns and Buddhist followers carried out the to continue the construction to the present day.
The sacredness of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Legend has it that the relics are the crystalline parts left after the cremation ceremony of the flesh of the Buddha and the monks. The Jade Relic of the Buddha can transform from a little to a lot, from a small to a large, from opaque to clear and radiant. This miraculous transformation must be due to the sincere devotion of the religious people. Mr. Hu Van said that when he went to worship the Buddha’s relics at Asoka temple, the more he worshiped, the brighter the light from the relics became brighter and brighter. It was also thanks to the sincere worship of Xa Loi that he recovered from his illness.
When worshiping the same jade, many people will see different colors, depending on the weight of each person’s karma. In general, all the relics have an important role for us, because the relics are symbolic treasures like the Buddha was alive. If we use an immaculate mind, respectfully bow, make offerings, and praise, we will receive immeasurable merit and virtue. Shariputra is not only the factor that creates all blessings, but also the driving force to turn the human soul from ferocious to kind, from immoral to virtuous.
A place to study and exchange Buddhist culture.
Every year, Ngoc Xa Loi Buddha Temple often organizes events; Buddhist Conference; Summer Seclusion courses; To foster professional abbot for monks and nuns; Place of religious activities; Worship for Buddhists and followers near and far; The great ceremony to pray for Quoc Thai Dan An at Buddha Ngoc Xa Loi temple was held very solemnly, in this prayer ceremony, everyone was united in prayer for world peace, prosperity of the country, and safety of the people. professional residence.
In particular, this place also often organizes meditation courses for Buddhists. Inviting high monks from all over the world to lecture and transmit the Buddhadharma. Help people have a good outlook on life.
3. What to Do – See – Eat at Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda
Upon arrival, appearing in front of us is a very large, majestic and beautiful Tam Quan Gate, elaborately carved, with a main gate and two side gates. Viewed from the outside in, the main gate has the name of the (Jade Buddha) Phat Ngoc Xa Loi pagoda, the two gates are subtitled Enlightenment – Liberation; Viewed from the inside out, the main gate is titled Vinh The Truyen Dang, and the two gates are subtitled Compassion – Wisdom. According to Thich Phuoc Hanh, the abbot of this temple, the special thing is that the two large dragon stone pillars at Tam Quan Gate are cast of monolithic Granite, 9 meters high, 1.5 meters wide and 7 feet thick, weighing about 20 tons.
Through the main Tam Quan Gate, the entrance to the temple is an extremely spacious road, meditative space that makes us feel peaceful, getting rid of all the bustle and hustle in life. Live to relax and rebalance the soul.
The architecture of the temple is very unique and diverse, mixing tradition and modernity with many Buddhist art styles of many countries around the world. The construction items in the pagoda include two Tam Quan gates and fences, the open-air statue of Quan The Am Bodhisattva, the main hall, the Xa Loi Bao Thap, the Dharma Hall, the Bao Duong Tang, the Trai Duong, the Lecture Hall, and the Sangha… is still under construction.
Stepping through the small Tam Quan Gate connected to the fence surrounding the temple is a large campus with delicate and harmonious artistic architecture, both inherently spiritual and traditional architecture. The system of Buddha statues at Vinh Long’s Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda is also very unique, lively and sacred with hundreds of Buddha statues from Patriarchs to Arhats placed around the campus.
The outstanding highlight of the temple is the open-air statue of Buddha Avalokitesvara with a height of 32 meters in ivory-white mixed with golden light, delicately crafted to exude a gentle and benevolent beauty. The statue of Quan Am Buddha stands majestically on a large pink lotus, the lotus pedestal is 03 pillars with 09 golden dragons (symbolizing the land of Cuu Long) winding at the feet, carved very beautifully, elaborately and firmly, this makes everyone admire when seeing it with their own eyes, below is a lake with many lotus flowers installed with lights and fountains, at night, if the lights and water are sprayed, it will be very beautiful and shine aura.
In front of the main hall are 05 statues representing 05 main sects of Vietnamese Buddhism: Theravada, Tantric, Pure Land, Mendicant, Truc Lam Zen, each statue will have the way of sculpting statues of different costumes and postures in accordance with the meaning of that sect.
In front of the main hall are two bronze statues of Dharma protectors, which are Bodhisattvas (folks call him good and evil). In fact, we can all become dharma protectors, when people’s minds turn to Buddha, give up evil and turn to truth, goodness and beauty, our lives will be lighter and more wholesome.
Inside the main hall, there are many large pillars carved, sculpted with very elaborate patterns, each column has different parallel sentences in the Buddhist scriptures. The most prominent in the main hall and also the first symbolic part associated with this temple’s name is the Emerald Buddha Statue, according to Master Thich Phuoc Hanh sharing: The Jade Buddha statue is carved with monolithic jade stone quarried in Canada, 1 meter 3 , weighs about 1 ton , emerald green color , invited to Vinh Long in 2017 by a sincere Buddhist donation to the pagoda ; It can be said that the Buddha statue placed behind the Emerald Buddha is the largest statue in the main hall with a height of 3.5 meters, weighing about 4.5 tons, cast in bronze, inlaid with 24k gold; There is one thing that few people know that the Blessing Mine placed on the left side of the Emerald Buddha statue is cast of jackfruit wood with a lifespan of over 100 years, with a diameter of 1m 2 which is said to be the largest in Vietnam at the present time; Behind the main hall, there is a statue of Patriarch Dat Ma cast bronze, inlaid with 24k gold. In addition, around the Main Hall, there are many other large Buddha statues that are beautifully carved and worshiped in very dignified positions such as the statues of Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha and Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, etc., especially 18 Arhats. Rare and valuable copper is only available at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Phat Ngoc Xa Loi pagoda Vinh Long, which is also the rare charm of the temple that is developed by Buddhists.
The next highlight and also the second symbol of this temple is the Xa Loi Stupa, known as the tallest stupa in the Mekong Delta (up to the present time) with a height of 45 meters including 9 floors and the top of the tower. The tower is built in the shape of a hexagon (the meaning of the Six Dos in Buddhism). The tile corners of the tower are carved with sophisticated dragon-shaped patterns, imbued with ancient culture. We can go up to 9 floors of the tower by the stairs inside the main hall, but we can’t go outside, if we want to go outside the square of the temple, we have to follow the stairs outside the campus. Each floor of the tower has a different way of decorating and worshiping Buddha images, there are 9 large Buddha statues in 9 floors of the tower that are made of bronze.
Particularly, the three precious Buddha relics are worshiped very carefully at the 9th stupa floor of the stupa, guests will not be able to worship. However, according to Master Thich Phuoc Hanh: a year, visitors will be able to worship Buddha’s relics once on December 8 every year. Remember to come to the temple to worship Buddha’s relics on this occasion to pray for yourself and your family!
If we visit Vinh Long’s Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda without climbing up to the Square of the temple, it is a pity. The square of the pagoda is tens of meters high, very wide, and has an open space, from this height we will have a panoramic view of My Thuan bridge and a corner of Vinh Long city, breathing the fresh air because located far from the city center. Not only that, but you can also watch the sunrise if you go early in the morning, watch the romantic sunset if it’s late afternoon, all your worries will disappear, leaving only purity and peace to come.
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Vinh Long city center:
Route 1:
Route 2:
Route 3:
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Vinh Long. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Vinh Long daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda Vinh Long
Google Maps made a name for itself helping people travel from one place to another, avoid traffic (You probably know the route from your hotel to the gas station by heart, but what you can’t be sure about is gridlock), measure a distance, get back to the hotel on time, share the location…
6. Visit Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda by yourself
Solo traveller? Travelling on your own means you will get out of any difficult situations by yourself. This, in turn, leads to more satisfying travel experiences and helps you improve your problem-solving skills. These days we rarely get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be. That’s why you should consider the time you spend alone on your trip as a gift.
It is possible for solo travellers to use google maps and do it alone. But sometimes they need to update local maintained roads and bridges which close and lead you a longer road than the road from google maps. It is just about the time. It takes more time to find the correct garden to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in Vinh Long village! The locals find it hard to speak English as well. Top tip: Sticking to one canal and keeping going along it which gives you more things to see and avoids getting lost. Contact vemekong.com to hire a car, scooter with English-speaking-guide or cycling tours in Vinh Long.
7. Responsible Travel and Advice to Visit Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda
It is always good to repeat “responsible travel” over and over. Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda is a solemn place, so you should choose beautiful clothes that are still polite and discreet. There are many statues in the yard. If you go with the children, please remind them not to climb because these are sacred symbols of Buddhism. We do appreciate any of you who do visit and take good behavior to this temple. Top tip: Please do not make noise when you get in. Top tip: Vemekong.com are some of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda (4k)
If a picture says a thousand words, it stands to reason that the video says many times more.
9. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
To get the best of the best for your unique writing, featuring, photo, video and insider’s stories. We do recommend you to have a local travel expert, the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single element is solved perfectly. Vemekong (very exclusive Mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing. You can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
10. Pro Tips
Best time to visit Cai Be floating market is from 5:30am-6:30am. I hope you have an amazing sunrise on the Mekong Delta river.
You can stay in a homestay which is near the floating market, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself, but you still need to hire a boat for the Cai Be floating market.
If you plan to extend your travel to Cai Be Vinh Long homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Vinh Long or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Vinh Long responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Vinh Long food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Vinh Long cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Hu Tieu My Tho (a kind of noodle soup but it is really yummy), elephant ear fish, snails with pepper, rambutan jam, snake wine, coconut candy, pop rice, Durian Ri6…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Vinh Long in the rainy season, as Vinh Long always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Vinh Long tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Vinh Long brick & pottery kiln, Coconut candy village & sampan (small boat) ride in small canals, mighty Mekong river cruise, educational tour and community tour in Cai Be Vinh Long, Cai Be – Vinh Long homestay 2D1N, Cai Be floating market & small canals, amazing Vinh Long homestays on the islets, An Binh Islet, Vinh Long Fruit Garden, cocohome homestay, Puffed Rice Cake Traditional Village In Cai Be & Vinh Long, Cai Cuong Ancient House, May Islet (Luc Si Thanh Islet), Phu Ly Khmer Pagoda, Phat Ngoc Xa Loi Pagoda Vinh Long (Jade Buddha), Vinh Long Cycling Tours…
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Vinh Long province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Thank you
