When describing An Giang, people will use words like "beautiful," "unique," and "holy." In addition to the freshness of the Melaleuca forests and the distinctiveness of diverse communities, this land is also renowned for its sacred temples and shrines. It is recommended that you take a temple-hopping tour during your visit to An Giang province. In relation, the list below includes six of the best Buddhist temples in Chau Doc, the heart of An Giang province.
Ba Chua Xu Temple (The Holy Mother of the Realm Temple)
Location: right at the foot of Sam Mountain, Nui Sam Ward, Chau Doc City, An Giang Province
The architecture of the Ba Chua Xu Temple is ancient and dignified. The layout of this temple is similar to the writing of the word "Quoc" (country) in Chinese, the shape of a blooming lotus, and three layers of blue tiles on the roof. It was constructed over a large area and includes the main hall, the guest house, and the East and West Corridors.
There have been several folk legends concerning the origins of Ba Chua Xu temple, but one of them has gained widespread acceptance. From 1820 to 1825, when Chau Doc – An Giang was a wild and underpopulated land, the Siam Army frequently came to villages to destroy and steal precious objects from people. By her blessing, the Holy Mother assisted General Thoai Ngoc Hau in defeating the Siam Arm
The Holy Mother statue, according to archaeologists, is a depiction of Lord Shiva, a one-of-a-kind work of art carved out of schist, a form of silt, in the sixth century.
Tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau
Location: previously in Vinh Te commune, now in Nui Sam ward, Chau Doc city, An Giang province
Along with some other relic sites, the Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb, also recognized as Son Lang, is located at the foot of Sam Mountain. What's odd is that it's never as loud as the other tombs and shrines there. The tomb has a serene, solemn, and respectful atmosphere.
Son Lang is named after Nguyen Van Thoai, i.e. Thoai Ngoc Hau, a Nguyen Dynasty mandarin who was dispatched by the court to defend and exploit An Giang. People in An Giang were eventually grateful for his strong devotion to the region during his reign.
Nobody knows when Son Lang was constructed. However, history books state that he buried his second wife Truong Thi Miet there in 1821 and his first wife Chau Thi Te there in 1826. He also set aside a plot for himself between his wives' tombs. As a result, it is assumed that he began construction on Son Lang prior to his death in 1829.
The tomb of Thoai Ngoc Hau and his two wives is located beyond Son Lang's gate. Then there's his majestic and ancient shrine, which leans against the cliff. A 2m-high head-and-shoulder statue of Thoai Ngoc Hau in mandarin clothes solemnly looking out on the Vinh Te Canal graced the shrine.
Phuoc Dien Tu (Hang Pagoda)
Location: on the slopes of Sam Mountain in Nui Sam ward, Chau Doc city, An Giang province
Phuoc Dien Tu was built on the side of Sam Mountain and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding rural areas and rice fields. This location was simply a bamboo house that served as a sewing workshop for Le Thi Tho in the mid-nineteenth century. According to legend, the founder, a female named Le Thi Tho, came here to live peacefully and meditate.
Hang Pagoda was designated a National Historic Site by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture and Information in 1980. The structures are designed in a traditional Asian style, with sculptures, pillars, and trimmed trees. A main sanctuary with Buddha statues, caverns and grottoes, and a mirror room can be found on the roof. Below are two hexagonal tombs, one for the founder of the pagoda and the other for the head monk.
Tay An Co Tu (Tay An Pagoda)
Location: on Sam Mountain, in the complex of relics of Ba Chua Xu Temple, Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb, Phuoc Dien Tu Cave Pagoda and Tay An Pagoda
According to researchers, the Tay An pagoda was built in 1820 by Nguyen Nhat An, a Nguyen Dynasty mandarin. In 1847, a monk named Phap Tang, who was also a patriotic scholar, paid a visit to the pagoda as the abbot. Aside from cultivating and caring for the Tay An Co Tu temple, he had done a lot to help people, particularly by establishing many farm camps around the Bay Nui An Giang area, which resulted in land reclamation, production, and the construction of bases against the French. The monk was also known for his capacity to create cures for various illnesses, and for training a number of well-known pupils. Locals acknowledged his merits after his death and honored him with the title of Buddha Master Tay An.
The pagoda has undergone numerous modifications and embellishments in the many years after it was formally completed. As a result, the temple's architecture has evolved significantly since it was first constructed. Tay An Co Tu's architectural style, in general, combines the well-known ancient oriental imprints of many Vietnamese Buddhist works with India's distinct architecture, and a dash of Southern style. Sam Mountain is where the temple rests its back (284m above sea level). When viewed from a distance, the pagoda appears as a vibrantly colored brushstroke against the mountain's greenish background. The three historic buildings in the main concourse with onion-shaped round roofs, which are colorful but harmonious, add to the beauty.
Huynh Dao Pagoda
Location: at Vinh Dong II hamlet, Nui Sam ward, Chau Doc city, An Giang province The pagoda was constructed in 1996 on a large campus. Initially, the pagoda only housed the Three Jewels. More bell towers, Quan Am Pavilion, and other buildings were added over the years to create a magnificent and beautiful campus. The temple was built in the style of Chinese architecture. Venerable Thich Ton Tran is the abbot.
In contrast to other temples that frequently use the traditional light yellow color as the main theme, Huynh Dao Pagoda has a striking color that exudes modern beauty. Another distinctive feature of Huynh Dao pagoda is a section with colorful dragon statues that is surrounded by a fragrant pink lotus lake.
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