The 6 Most Spiritually Revered Temples with Breathtaking Architecture, Perfect for Pilgrims During the Full Moon of the First Lunar Month.

According to customs, the annual pilgrimage to the four protective temples follows the order of East, West, South, and North. At Quan Thanh Temple, the order of worship is the three-entrance gate, the chamber housing the Huyen Tran Tran Vu statue, and the rear shrine. Offerings can be either vegetarian or meat dishes, similar to what is offered at other temples for good fortune. In addition, people also prepare gold and cash to put in the donation box.

The temple exudes tranquility with its moss-covered roofs, red brick yards, and ancient trees, creating a serene atmosphere that helps visitors find peace within themselves. The smoke of incense mixed with the distant sound of temple bells adds to the sacredness and mystery of the full-moon day in the first lunar month.

Boc Temple

The full-moon day of the first lunar month is an occasion to pray for a peaceful new year, good health, and fortune. Boc Temple is dedicated to Buddha Shakyamuni and numerous Bodhisattvas, making it a suitable place for people to come and worship. In addition, the temple also enshrines Emperor Quang Trung, a national hero, so many people come here to express their gratitude and wish for strength and perseverance in life.

Located on Tay Son Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Boc Temple is one of the temples with significant historical, cultural, and spiritual value. 

Boc Temple boasts the characteristic architecture of northern temples with moss-covered roofs, sturdy wooden pillars, and ancient Buddha statues. The peaceful space in the bustling Hanoi makes it an ideal place for meditation and worship in the early days of the new year.

The temple is famous for its spiritual power in granting wishes related to career and study. Therefore, during the full-moon day of the first lunar month, many students, young people, and workers come here to pray for intelligence and success in their careers.

Kim Lien Pagoda

Located on Tu Hoa Street, Nghi Tam Village, Quang An Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Kim Lien Pagoda is a popular choice for many people to visit during the full-moon festival in the first lunar month. 

Nestled peacefully by the romantic West Lake, Kim Lien Pagoda is one of the most ancient and beautiful pagodas in Hanoi. With its unique architecture, serene atmosphere, and long historical value, Kim Lien Pagoda has become an ideal spiritual destination for worship during the full-moon festival, praying for a peaceful and lucky new year.

Kim Lien Pagoda was built during the Ly Dynasty and has been renovated several times throughout different dynasties, yet it still retains the characteristic features of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

The full-moon day of the first lunar month is an occasion for people to visit pagodas, praying for a peaceful and happy new year. Kim Lien Pagoda is famous for its sacredness in praying for peace, health, and fortune. Hanoians believe that offering incense here will bring blessings from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, making their lives smoother and work more prosperous.

Moreover, Kim Lien Pagoda’s special location by West Lake – where the earth and sky meet – adds to its spiritual significance. The serene and spacious atmosphere of the pagoda helps visitors feel relaxed, calm their minds, and let go of their worries in the early days of the new year.

In addition, with its long historical value, Kim Lien Pagoda is not only a place of worship but also a precious cultural heritage, offering visitors a chance to learn about the traditions, beliefs, and history of the nation.

Famous and Sacred Temples in Ho Chi Minh City

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda

Located at 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ward 7, District 3, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is a spiritual place of worship trusted and visited by many locals to pray for peace and good fortune for their families.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda is one of the largest and most famous pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting numerous Buddhist followers during the full-moon festival in the first lunar month. With its spacious and airy premises, it is an ideal place to pray for peace, health, and happiness.

Constructed in 1964 and completed in 1971, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda features the traditional architectural style of northern pagodas but with modern materials. The pagoda bears the mark of Buddhism, with its curved roofs, sturdy pillars, and intricately carved reliefs. 

The highlight of the pagoda is the spacious main hall, where the majestic statue of Buddha Shakyamuni is enshrined. The interior is solemn, with soft light from lanterns and the subtle scent of incense. In addition, the pagoda also has a green garden and several auxiliary works serving Buddhist studies, festivals, and rituals.

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda, also known as Dien Ngoc Hoang or Phuc Hai Tu, is one of the most sacred and famous pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City. The pagoda stands out with its ancient architecture, yin-yang tiled roofs, intricate reliefs, and wooden statues. The dominant color of the pagoda is red, symbolizing luck and prosperity. The walls are adorned with dragon, phoenix, and deity motifs, creating an aura of solemnity and sacredness.

Located at 73 Mai Thi Luu, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ngoc Hoang Pagoda is not only a familiar spiritual destination for locals but also attracts tourists with its unique architecture and over a century of history.

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda is renowned for its spiritual power in granting wishes related to love, offspring, and peace. During full-moon days, the first day of the lunar month, or major holidays like Tet and the full-moon festival, thousands of people come to offer incense and pray. With its profound spiritual value, ancient architecture, and sacred atmosphere, Ngoc Hoang Pagoda is a must-visit place when seeking peace and good fortune.

Thien Hau Pagoda

Thien Hau Pagoda, located on Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, is one of the oldest Chinese pagodas in Saigon. Built in the 18th century by the Cantonese Chinese community, the pagoda is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the goddess believed to protect seafarers and bring peace to all. 

The pagoda is also famous for the custom of “thinh loc ba,” which involves asking for blessings from Thien Hau Thanh Mau at the beginning of the year. People believe that bringing this blessing home will bring protection and good luck for the entire year.

It is believed that visiting Thien Hau Pagoda on the full-moon day of the first lunar month, offering incense and prayers to the goddess, will bring a smooth, peaceful, and prosperous year. Especially for those in business and trade, this day holds great importance as they pray for success and prosperity in their ventures.

During the full-moon festival, Thien Hau Pagoda attracts thousands of visitors, creating a traditional festival-like atmosphere filled with the smoke of incense and the sound of temple bells, along with the faithful’s prayers. 

In addition to prayers, cultural activities such as lion dances and the procession of Thien Hau’s palanquin are also held, adding excitement and sacredness to the new year. This is a unique cultural feature of the Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City, promising to bring interesting experiences to visitors from near and far.