Exploring the Historic Som Rong Pagoda
Originally known as Bôtum Vong Sa Som Rong, this majestic temple located on Ton Duc Thang Street in Soc Trang City attracts visitors with its stunning architecture and rich Khmer culture. Founded in 1785, the temple has undergone numerous renovations, transforming from a simple wooden structure to the grand site it is today.
Locals share that the temple has been named after the Som Rong tree, a wild species that used to abundantly surround the area.
Som Rong Pagoda boasts the largest statue of reclining Buddha in Vietnam, measuring 63 meters in length, 22.5 meters in height, and weighing 490 tons. The statue, predominantly white and light blue, rests on a 28-meter-high base, beneath which is a residence for monks. Construction began in October 2017 and was completed in 2021.
Tran Minh Ly, Director of Soc Trang Province’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Department, affirms that the statue is the largest of its kind in the country. The project was initiated to cater to the spiritual needs of the locals and boost the province’s tourism.
“The statue is a remarkable feature that attracts Buddhists and visitors from near and far,” says Ly Minh Duc, the abbot of Som Rong Pagoda. He adds that the statue’s design embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Khmer ethnic group.
The head and body of the Buddha are intricately crafted, exuding an aura of compassion and benevolence. Its massive size and elevated position make it visible from Soc Trang City.
A visitor from Can Tho City, Ms. Nhu Phuong, shared her surprise at the transformation of the temple since her last visit two decades ago. “The reclining Buddha statue is breathtaking, and the compound is now more spacious and well-maintained,” she remarked.
A young girl dressed in traditional Khmer attire poses for a photo with the reclining Buddha statue at Som Rong Pagoda.
Spanning across 5 hectares, Som Rong Pagoda exudes an air of antiquity and grandeur. Its walls, tinged by the passage of time, stand amidst the shade of ancient starfruit trees.
In 2013, the abbot initiated the construction of a new sala, a prayer hall, spanning over 1,000 square meters, at a cost of nearly VND 16 billion. The project was completed in January 2017, bringing joy to the local community and Buddhist followers.
The two-story sala seamlessly blends traditional Khmer architecture with modern design elements through its distinctive color palette. The highlight of this new sala is a statue of standing Buddha atop nine dragons, symbolizing the Buddha’s compassion for all beings.
Adjacent to the new sala is the old one, now renovated and transformed into a library housing over 1,500 books for monks, students, locals, and Buddhist followers.
The building is adorned with intricate patterns featuring symbols such as the sacred Naga serpent and the Krud bird.
The temple grounds are divided into several areas, with the most prominent being a stupa located at the entrance. Construction began in December 2010 and was completed in March 2012, spanning 100 square meters with a width of 11 meters and a height of approximately 25 meters. The project was funded by donations from benefactors and Buddhist followers, totaling over VND 1.2 billion.
The stupa features four directions corresponding to the virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. The paths leading up to the stupa are adorned with images of the sacred Naga serpent and ancient Khmer patterns. The stupa’s gray color sets it apart from the typical gold of Khmer religious structures, blending modernity with a sense of antiquity and grandeur. It has become a must-see attraction for young visitors to the temple.
Across from the salas lies the main hall, supported by six rows of columns. The roof structure is unique, comprising three layers of overlapping roofs. The corners of each layer are adorned with Khmer dragon motifs, while the areas where the roofs meet the columns feature images of the goddess Keynor and the Krud bird.
Nguyen Quang Toan (far left), a visitor from Long An, poses with his friends during their second visit to Som Rong Pagoda. Toan shares his admiration for Khmer culture and his deep impression of the temple’s architecture and ambiance. “I will definitely come back here again,” he says.
Som Rong Pagoda, home to Vietnam’s largest reclining Buddha statue. Video: Chuc Ly
