Vien Minh Pagoda is a Buddhist pilgrimage site known to many locals and neighbors. The following article will accompany visitors to Ben Tre to visit Vien Minh Pagoda – a small temple that still retains many ancient features in this land.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Ben Tre Visitor Guide
1. Better to Know as a Tourist
Ticket:
Spend-time: Half an hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food:
Shop:
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: https://vemekong.com/vien-minh-pagoda-ben-tre/
Address: Located at 156 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, in Ward 2, Ben Tre City, Ben Tre Province.
Added values: Vien Minh Pagoda is currently considered one of the famous spiritual tourist attractions in Ben Tre. With a quiet space along with a spacious and airy campus will bring you the most relaxing moments.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Vien Minh Pagoda? Ben Tre City (3 minutes), Son Doc Rice paper village (25 minutes), Ben Tre Brick Factory (5 km), Thoi Son Island (15 km), Cho Lach Flower Village (24 km), Ben Tre Coconut Candy (12 km),…
2. Travel Guide to Vien Minh Pagoda
Vien Minh Pagoda was originally a shrine to worship Quan Cong. Then, the shrine was restored and rebuilt into a temple. In 1951, the pagoda was built larger and the architecture is preserved to this day. At this time, the abbot of the temple was the monk Vinh Thien. In 1961, Venerable Vinh Thien handed over the pagoda to three disciples, Thien Tin, Huyen Vi and Thanh Tu, to take care of the pagoda.
After 1975, the pagoda was handed over by Venerable Thien Tin to his disciple, Venerable Thich Thien Phuoc. Currently, the abbot of Vien Minh Pagoda is the Venerable Thich Hue Tri. The pagoda still retains many architectural features of the 20th century, so it has ancient features, subtle simplicity. The temple belongs to the Northern sect.
3. What to Do –See – Eat at Vien Minh Pagoda
Inside, the main hall of the temple worships Quan Thanh De statue and Buddha image. The most unique feature is the two statues of Shakyamuni and Amitabha Buddha with bamboo poles. Outside the yard, there is a 3m high statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara standing on a lotus pedestal and a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. The area of the temple is about 3,000 square meters.
Because of its spacious campus, on major Buddhist holidays such as Vu Lan, Buddha’s Birthday, Lunar New Year… the temple organizes solemn ceremonies, attracting thousands of devotees to attend.
Gradually, the pagoda became more known and now becomes a pilgrimage and tourist destination of Ben Tre.
The pagoda is located on the easy-to-find route of Ben Tre city, so it is quite convenient for visitors to visit this place.
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Ben Tre 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 Ben Tre. 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 Ben Tre daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of Vien Minh Pagoda
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 Vien Minh 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 Ben Tre 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 Ben Tre.
7. Responsible Travel and Advice Vien Minh Pagoda
Don’t get us wrong. But we assure you that you totally agree with us. “Do not give candy and things to the children when you plan to visit any local villages”, the kids will leave the school and follow the sweets and later they find some things to give you or sell to you. The garden is a little forest, don’t pick and touch the flowers or fruits without the local’s smiles. We deal with traveling green and leaving green behind, not plastic. 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 Vien Minh 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. The 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
You can stay in a homestay which is near the riverside, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself and I hope you have an amazing Mekong Delta river sunrise.
If you plan to extend your travel to Ben Tre homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Ben Tre 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 Ben Tre responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Ben Tre 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 Ben Tre 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 Cai Mon durian, Phu Le Rice Wine, coconut wine, coconut candy, coconut rice, snail pancake, elephant ear fish, Coconut Worm, Young Coconut Salad with Shrimp & Pork…
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 Ben Tre in the rainy season, as Ben Tre always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Ben Tre tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Ben Tre brick & pottery kiln, Coconut Candy Traditional Village & Small Canals, mighty Mekong river cruise, educational tour and community tour in Ben Tre, Ben Tre homestay 2D1N, cocohome homestay, Ben Tre cycling tours, Son Doc Puff Rice Paper Village, Dong Khoi Guerrilla Village, Vam Ho bird sanctuary, Cai Mon Ornamental Flower Village in Cho Lach, Ben Tre Museum, An Hiep Nhon Thanh Mat Weaving Villages, Ben Tre Night Market, Phung Island (Phoenix islet), Thoi Son Island, Turtle Islet (Con Quy)…
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Ben Tre province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Thank you
