Giac Lam Pagoda
- Address:118 Lac Long Quan, Tan Binh, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
- Hours:Open daily at sunrise - about 9pm. Closed each lunchtime for midday prayers & chores
- Admission:Free
Cultural Experience, Holy Place, Religious Experience, Monument - Historical, Shrine, Temple
3:35 AM Sunday, May 27
Partly cloudy. Warm.
7 day forecast »
Giac Lam Pagoda is widely recognized as an important and historic pagoda, the oldest temple in the city. Built in 1744 on an undeveloped area of jungle, it has since been consumed into the west of the city.
Originally thatched, the buildings have undergone significant remodeling at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Historically significant, it is now protected as an official cultural heritage site.
In the main garden stands a famous bodhi tree donated by Sri Lanka to the temple in 1953, in its shade stands a statue of bodhisattva Aralokiteshvara. In the grounds also stands a 32 meter (100 foot) high seven story hexagonal stupa; in total there are over 100 statues to admire.
There is also an eerie and worth seeing funerary chamber with photos and shrines dedicated to former monks of the temple. At the main altar, Buddhists pray for peace and good health. By writing their names and their relatives' names on paper and sticking it into the grand bell they believe their wishes will be carried when the bell is struck and echoes into heaven.
Latest Reviews All Giac Lam Pagoda Reviews »
A great way to become familiar with the city. Wonderful guide. Good basic orientation. Thoroughly recommended.
Continue Reading »
This is a must see tour on your first day! Not just for the highlights taken to but the opportunity to ask lots of questions of your guide to plan the rest of your visit. Our guide, Ming, was absolutely fantastic and gauging by the photos uploaded he is a common guide used - you will really enjoy this tour if lucky enough to have him too. HCM can be quite claustrophobic for children and spouses on the first day, but have a great tour guide really made for a settling in and really enjoyable day. Great food too! Thanks Ming
Continue Reading »
Great and Duong the guide was so informative. The day was fantastic. Duong took us to a factory that sold beautiful art work. The makers were victims of agent orange and wow their works were out of this world. By supporting this factory brought us closer to the people. They were just wonderful. Really enjoyed the day!!!
Continue Reading »Practical Info
Located on Lac Long Quan, to the north of District 5, (not in Cholon area). May be combined with a visit to Cholon but a cyclo or taxi trip would be necessary to reach it.
Usual temple rules apply - respectful clothing, no hats, no smoking - but here shoes are permitted.
