Top 14 Must-Visit Hoi An Temples & Pagodas

February 08, 2022 - 6359 views

Hoi An Ancient Town is located downstream of the Thu Bon River in Quang Nam, Vietnam. Thanks to favorable geographical and climatic factors, Hoi An was once a busy international trading port, a meeting place for Japanese, Chinese, and Western merchant ships in the past. If you are interested in Hoi An architecture, let's take a look at the Top 14 Must-Visit Hoi An Temples & Pagodas!

The ancient town of Hoi An today is a special example of a traditional port town in Southeast Asia that is preserved intact and thoughtfully. This place has been a  famous destination attracting millions of visitors every year, making a great contribution to the country's tourism industry.

 

Overview About Hoi An Temples And Pagodas

History

The Central region had a period under the Champa kingdom before it belonged to the Vietnamese. From the end of the 19th century, with the French invasion, the construction techniques of the West changed the architectural face of the city. Therefore, the history of the Central region is associated with the coexistence and integration among those cultures.

Up to now, this famous old town remains almost intact with architectural monuments of streets, houses, assembly halls, communal houses, pagodas, shrines, ethnic churches, and ancient wells. A visit to Hoi An will captivate visitors with timeless beauty.

Architecture and Structure

The pagodas in Hoi An are located on tall shady hills and are real temples with quiet scenery, fresh, natural environment. The shrines have almost a common style that is idyllic, airy, and dignified. Surrounding the shrine are flower gardens, yards, ornamental plants, rockeries, and tomb towers. Unlike other areas worshiping the lord, the trend of sculpting statues in Hoi An leads to the kings and queens, mandarins of the Nguyen Dynasty who contributed to the pagoda's construction.

Hoi An Temples & Pagodas

 

14 Must-visit pagodas and temples in Hoi An

1. Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Phuoc Kien Temple)

Phuc Kien Assembly Hall is on Tran Phu Street- the center of the old town, so it is convenient for tourists. From the walking path, you will see a huge gate that marks the sign of the temple. Around the temple are craft villages and other trade sites for locals. This place is a historical relic left by all three communities of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese.

You will see a large garden with a sophisticated dragon-carved fountain with giant statues. Take a slow step by step and enjoy the frescoes of the history of the region!

Fujian Assembly Hall

Fujian Assembly Hall

 

2. Japanese Covered Bridge (Bridge Pagoda)

Japanese Covered Bridge is an ancient bridge designed in Japanese style and set at Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. The bridge is designed with a unique roof, arc style, and narrow corridor on both sides. The material used to make the bridge is wood, with delicately carved details combined with Japanese architecture.

Bridge Pagoda is as quiet as the ancient town of Hoi An. Thus this landmark has witnessed many ups and downs of history and is also an intersection of many unique cultures. When traveling to Hoi An, don't forget to visit this place once to admire and feel the beauty of Hoi An Covered Bridge!

Japanese Covered Bridge pagoda

Japanese Covered Bridge pagoda

 

3. Hai Nam Assembly Hall (Hai Nam Temple)

Hai Nam Assembly Hall was built on a large piece of land in the shape of the Vietnamese borderline. The main hall with large columns erected on the foot of a marble platform. In particular, the middle altar in the main hall also has a wooden altar carved and gilded with scenes of the three worlds - Heaven, Earth, and Aquarium. The assembly hall is also a very effective place to pray for justice; so many people come here to pray sincerely and have been saved from the misfortune of doing business, a blessing to bring prosperity in life.

Hai Nam Assembly Hall

Hai Nam Assembly Hall

 

4. Quan Am Temple

Located on Nguyen Hue Street, Quan Am Temple is a Buddhist place with the oldest history in Hoi An ancient town. Today, the pagoda still retains its unique architectural features, notably the massive columns and trusses.

People built the temple in a very unique ancient Asian architectural style. Quan Am Temple is also known as a religious relic that has contributed to enriching the type of Buddhist architecture and the spread of Buddhism in Hoi An. The temple system is very rich and dignified as in the main hall area; there is the worship of Buddha both in the middle and the right compartment.

 

5. Quan Cong Temple

This is the temple with the most frequent prayer activity in Hoi An. Prayers are often held solemnly, and thousands of Buddhists from all over the world come here to worship.

Right at the entrance to the temple, the corridor or the aisles are hung with many eye-catching red lanterns in the scene of majestic, pure, poetic beauty. This place will make you surprised when you have the opportunity to visit this temple.

Quan Cong temple

Quan Cong temple

 

6. Chuc Thanh Pagoda

Chuc Thanh church is nestled under the shady old trees, so it has a majestic but very ancient appearance. The special highlight of the temple is the combined architectural style of China and Vietnam.

This temple is famous for its ancient tower area, including 16 tomb towers, which is also the place to store the body of the patriarch along with the monks of the sect. With the main hall built majestically in the middle of a solid truss system, it will bring an airy space to the whole house. Another special feature is that the pagoda roof is covered with yin and yang tiles; above are the dragon and phoenix pairs with meticulous, delicate, and unique patterns.

Chuc Thanh Pagoda

Chuc Thanh Pagoda

 

7. Phap Bao Temple

This is a world cultural heritage temple, so many domestic and international tourists visit and worship. The temple opens daily to welcome visitors from all over the world to study religion with rituals and pray for peace in the marriage. Annually, the pagoda organizes a month-long sowing retreat so that those who love the pure lifestyle of Zen subjects can participate in the practice of monastic life.

Phap Bao Temple

Phap Bao Temple

 

8. Vien Giac Pagoda

Vien Giac Pagoda- one of the ancient temples recognized as a national historical relic, is located in Cam Pho ward. The pagoda was built in the architectural style of China.

Along with the nation's history, the pagoda was the cradle of the struggles for religious freedom and national independence in times of legal crisis. It is also a place of consolation and comfort for the people in the time of homeland turmoil. Therefore, young generations often learn the ups and downs that the forebears have gone through and commemorate the merits and virtues of their predecessors.

Vien Giac pagoda

Vien Giac pagoda

 

9. Ba Mu Temple

Ba Mu Pagoda is located on Hai Ba Trung Street and is also quite close to Cau Pagoda, so it is not difficult for you to find. The item belongs to the gate part of the ancient temple in the complex of architectural, cultural, and folk beliefs. This place is also a relic that plays an important role in the spiritual life of the community of the nearby village.

If you don't try to take shimmering photos of this place, it's a waste of the whole journey of Central heritage. You only need a camera to own a series of extremely artistic and unique photos automatically. Why don't you come in the morning or at sunset? The sunlight will make the landscape nostalgic and loving, very suitable for those who love photography.

Ba Mu Temple

Ba Mu Temple

 

10. Chuc Thanh Temple

Located in Tan An Ward, with more than 300 years, Chuc Thanh Pagoda is one of the famous ancient temples. Although there are no longer sandy beaches, green hills fluttering in the wind anymore outside the temple, the temple garden still retains its ancient appearance thanks to the old trees.

Chuc Thanh Pagoda faces the southwest, nestled under the shady old trees, bearing a majestic but ancient appearance. The pagoda has the common architectural style of temples with sculptures and carvings typical of Vietnamese and Chinese cultures. The pagoda has a system of worshiping statues carved meticulously and delicately, worthy of beautiful works of art.

Just entering the temple, visitors will feel the space of the temple is extremely sacred. The gate appears with a mossy tiled roof. The top has two lions facing each other with extremely sophisticated patterns.

Chuc Thanh Temple

Chuc Thanh Temple

 

11. Hai Tang Pagoda

Hai Tang is an ancient temple built in 1758 on Cu Lao Cham Island. The pagoda is located in the middle of a mountain back and a small valley owning the only field of the area. Over a hundred years, the temple still exists with many relics, notably the surrounding wall. According to the people on the island, this area used to be a jungle with many pythons and poisonous snakes. Therefore, locals built the wall surrounding the pagoda of stone to ensure safety.

Hai Tang Pagoda

Hai Tang Pagoda

 

12. Tran Family Chapel

The ancient temple of the Tran clan is a separate, peaceful and quiet space in the heart of the old town. From the outside, the Tran family church is not too different from other ancient houses in Hoi An, with its roof covered with yin and yang tiles and intricately carved columns and trusses.

Over 200 years of history, the house still retains the traditional Vietnamese house style combined with the unique architecture of China and Japan, making the church more valuable. There are two parts: the main part is used for worship, and the other is the residence of the patriarch and his family. All spaces are built in harmony and followed by very strict geomancy.

Despite many ups and downs of history, the house still maintains its majesty and purity in the heart of the old town. This place is like eloquent proof of a golden period of the history of Hoi An. If you can travel, do not miss the opportunity to visit this unique sightseeing place!

Tran Family Chapel

Tran Family Chapel

 

13. Van Duc Pagoda

Van Duc Pagoda works with unique architecture, rich in art from layout space, architectural style to interior decoration. Also, it is one of the famous temples mentioned in the New York Times as a scenic spot of Hoi An.

The most artistic architectural value comes from the main hall with the style of pipe tiles. While the pillars are round in shape, decorated with dragon-patterned crockery, the roof edge is painted with a project of two dragons adorning the moon. Lotus flowers are granted beyond the northwest beside the late monks, which makes the space more peaceful.

The worshiping system of the temple is very rich and dignified. Behind the main shrine is the image of the monk, who has restored and preserved the ancient features of the pagoda, along with the spirits and characters deceased. Finally, the patriarchate worships Buddha master, the long seat, and the temple's relics.

Van Duc Pagoda

Van Duc Pagoda

 

14. Phuoc Lam Pagoda

Phuoc Lam pagoda is located only about 3 km from the center of Hoi An city. From Hoi An, visitors can visit this temple very easily through vehicles such as motorbikes and cars. The temple maintains many valuable artifacts, especially the ancient porcelain bowls or other delicately carved ancient woodblocks. By the way, the temple yard is also the place to put many large statues carved from the previous generations of the temple's abbots.

The temple is like a peaceful place for the people of Hoi An. Hence, if you seek something new to satisfy yourself, please come to this pagoda.

Phuoc Lam Pagoda

Phuoc Lam Pagoda

 

Hoi An is a quiet, ancient and rustic town. It is an old town with full architectural space fluttering by the soft and simple lines worth admiring. The charm existing over the years comes from the style that is mixed by many styles of both East and West areas. Once visiting the Top 14 Must-Visit Hoi An Temples & Pagodas above, you will see that it's worth having yourself best Hoi An trip.

Dang Minh Anh

Image source: Internet

Plan your tailor - made trip with a local expert
Book securely with money-back guarantee
Travel stress-free with local 24/7 support

Questions & Answers

Ask a Question