If you have traveled to the Mekong Delta many times and visited temples in this land, perhaps you will not feel too strange before the unique beauty of Khmer temples.  However, for first-time visitors to Bac Lieu, Xiem Can Pagoda is really magnificent, beautiful and outstanding architecture.

By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Bac Lieu Visitor Guide

1. Better to Know as a Tourist

Ticket: Free

Spend-time: One hour (approx)

Hours: Dawn – dusk 

Food: Yes 

Shop: Yes

Parking lot: Yes

Blog: https://vemekong.com/xiem-can-pagoda-bac-lieu/

Address: Located in Vinh Trach Dong commune, Bac Lieu city (Bac Lieu),

Added values: What distinguishes Khmer pagodas from other ordinary temples is the sophistication and meticulousness in each wall, roof and pillar.  If you go deep into the inner campus and look closely, you will fully feel the beauty that Xiem Can Pagoda possesses.

Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Xiem Can Pagoda? Ghositaram pagoda (14 km), Cong Tu Bac Lieu House (14 km), Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary (11 km), Bac Lieu Salt Farm (41 km), Tac Say Church (50 km), Bac Lieu market (15 km) …

2. Travel Guide to Xiem Can Pagoda

According to recorded history, this temple was built in 1887 with an original area of ​​4,500 m2.  In the early days, the temple was named Khmer Komphisako, expressing the erudition and depth of Buddhist wisdom.

Later, a group of Chinese people who came here to settle down translated the name of the pagoda into Xiem Can.  In Chinese, Xiem Can means “bordering on water” and refers to the temple located next to the sea.  So since then, the pagoda has been called Xiem Can, which is both simple and easy to remember and has something very impressive.

Up to now, this beautiful temple in the West has undergone 9 generations of abbots and a few times of restoration and repair.  Maybe Xiem Can is not the oldest ancient temple, nor the biggest one, but in terms of its magnificent beauty and scale, this temple is always the most favorite destination in Bac Lieu.

The Siamese spiritual architectural complex consists of many items facing the East, built according to the typical Theravada Buddhist school.  There is a system of surrounding walls, a three-way gate, the main hall, a bell tower, a pillar, a tomb tower and an area for monks to rest.

In terms of color, Xiem Can Pagoda in Bac Lieu has the same color scheme as other Khmer temples.  It is a brilliant dark yellow color, mixed with red-orange colors to create the most points.  The beauty and colors of this temple easily remind visitors of the majestic temple system in Cambodia and Thailand.

3. What to Do –See – Eat at Xiem Can Pagoda

Arriving in front of the three-way gate, you will see the cultural and religious imprint of the Khmer people expressed through many reliefs.  The nameplate of the gate is designed in a pointed tower style typical of Angkor’s architecture, with an additional image of a majestic Buddha sitting in the middle.  In addition, below the gate’s nameplate, there are two Krut birds and two winding five-headed snakes.

Stepping through the gate, visitors will enjoy the feeling of walking under a cool road lined with green trees before admiring the beauty of the main hall of the temple.  The main hall is built in a rectangular shape, 18m wide and twice the length.

A special feature of the Main Hall is to focus on opening the doors on both sides to avoid the morning sunlight shining directly into the shrine.  Because all the items in the temple are facing directly to the East.  According to the Khmer’s concept, the main hall often turns to the East because they believe that the Buddha’s spiritual path goes from West to East.

Located on a 1.5m-high brick floor with three steps and a surrounding corridor, the main hall of Xiem Can Pagoda has the roof corner of each peak covered with a long, curved, soft snake tail.  The main hall with a height of 36.3 m is considered the highest in the Khmer temple complex in the South in Vietnam.

The beauty inside the Main Hall has a vibrant, outstanding and dignified color.  This place is made with a total of 100 round concrete pillars, creating solidity for the elegant building.

At each junction between the pillars and the roof is the head of the god Nagar.  In the Khmer’s concept, the snake was Buddhistized by the Buddha’s own compassion.  Since then, the snake has become the protective mascot for the temple.

Outside, opposite the main hall is a pillar with the image of a five-headed snake, used to light candles on holidays. It is meant here that the Buddhist teachings will enlighten mankind, helping people to live in a good direction like the snakes tamed by the Buddha’s compassion and equanimity.

Behind that is the traditional house – the sala is built extremely solidly and completely of wood.  It is also quite ornately decorated with unique motifs that are still intact after many years.  In the hallway there is also a large bell with an embossed black color.  More specifically, above the sala at Xiem Can Pagoda, there are statues of Prince Sidatta riding on a white horse that Xanac took across the river to find the way to enlightenment.

4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong

As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.

From Bac Lieu 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 Bac Lieu. 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 Bac Lieu daily tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com

5. Google Maps of Xiem Can 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 Xiem Can 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 Bac Lieu 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 Bac Lieu.

7. Responsible Travel and Advice Xiem Can 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 Xiem Can 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 Bac Lieu homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.

Visit Bac Lieu 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 Bac Lieu responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.

Bac Lieu 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 Bac Lieu 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 Bun bo cay (Spicy beef noodle soup), Three-striped crab (Freshwater crab in Bac Lieu), Banh cu cai (White radish pies), Banh tam bi Bac Lieu (Bac Lieu thick noodles & creamy coconut milk), Pho Ngheu, Bon Bon Pickles

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 Bac Lieu in the rainy season, as Bac Lieu always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.

Bac Lieu tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary, Bac Lieu Salt Farm, Buddha Temple Ba Nam Hai, Cong Tu Bac Lieu House, Ghositaram Pagoda in Bac Lieu, Bac Lieu Wind Farm, Ancient Longan Orchards, Vinh Hung Ancient Temple, Xiem Can Pagoda Bac Lieu, Cao Van Lau Theater (Conical Hat Non La Theater), Tac Say Church, Cao Van Lau Musician Memorial Site, Nha Mat amusement park, Bac Lieu Beach and mangrove forests, Phuoc Duc Ancient Temple and Dia Mau Cung (Ba Pagoda), Bac Lieu Market, Hung Vuong Square in Bac Lieu…

Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Bac Lieu province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!

“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.

Thank you