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
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Holy Place,
Religious Experience,
Monument - Historical,
Shrine,
Temple
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
Review by RANBIR S, April 2013
Doing what: Private Tour: Ho Chi Minh City Full-Day Tour
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. It was a very option for seeing the highlights of the city.
Review by Fred, USA, December 2012
Doing what: Ho Chi Minh City Discovery Small Group Adventure Tour
Covered all the highlights! Great guide and a chance to get off the beaten track with the Chinese market and a lunch at a good but non-touristy restaurant.
Review by Dale K, December 2012
Doing what: Ho Chi Minh City Discovery Small Group Adventure Tour
We have used Viator to book day tours at various cities around the world and have never been disappointed. Again your customer service and tour guide in Ho Chi Minh was excellent.
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.
