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Temples in Vietnam are found in all kinds of settings—tucked between shops, beside rivers, or perched on hills. From small incense shrines to grand sites like the Temple of Literature in Hanoi or the Jade Emperor Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, temples in Vietnam blend daily life with history. Each one reflects regional styles, from dragon statues to tiled roofs and wooden carvings. More than sightseeing spots, these temples remain active spaces for prayer, offerings, and festivals, giving travelers a deeper look at how tradition continues to shape everyday life.
Famous Temples in Vietnam Worth Visiting
These temples in Vietnam range from small shrines used daily to large historic sites that draw visitors. Some stand in busy streets, others sit near rivers or on hillsides.
1. One Pillar Pagoda
Photo: katiebordner / Wikimedia Commons
The One Pillar Pagoda is among the most unusual temples in Vietnam. It was built in the 11th century under Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who is said to have dreamt of a lotus rising from water. To reflect that vision, the pagoda was placed on a single stone pillar in the middle of a small pond. Its wooden shrine, balanced above the water, was shaped to resemble a lotus flower. The temple has been damaged and rebuilt several times, most recently after being destroyed in the 1950s. Even so, it remains one of Hanoi’s best-known religious sites. The pagoda is small, and visitors rarely spend more than half an hour here, but its design and story make it memorable.
Location: Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Highlights: Wooden shrine on a stone pillar set in a lotus pond
Nearby Attractions: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex
2. Temple Of Literature
Photo: Chuoibk / Wikimedia Commons
The Temple of Literature was first built in the 11th century and later became a school for scholars who trained to serve the royal court. The grounds are split into several courtyards. You pass ponds, stone paths, and shaded gardens before reaching the main halls. On the stone turtles, tablets carry the names of men who passed the old exams. Visitors touch the stone turtles, a habit linked to the idea of gaining luck in exams. Inside, the courtyards are shaded by tall trees, and there are a few pavilions where visitors sit or take photos. The main halls hold altars to Confucius and his students, and around exam season, families come with offerings for their children.
Location: Dong Da District, Hanoi
Highlights: Stone turtles, exam steles, courtyards with ancient trees
Nearby Attractions: Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, a short walk away
3. Trấn Quốc Pagoda
Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons
Trấn Quốc Pagoda in Hanoi was first built in the 6th century and is known as the city’s oldest Buddhist site. It stands on a small island in West Lake, linked to the shore by a short causeway. The tall red stupa stands above the trees and is the first thing you see from the road. Around it are smaller shrines and courtyards, with monks moving quietly through the space. The sound of traffic fades once you cross the causeway, and the lake makes the area feel cooler. At sunset, the walls catch the light from the water, and that’s when most people stop to take photos.
Location: Thanh Niên Road, West Lake, Hanoi
Highlights: Red-brick stupa, lakeside views, ancient Buddha statues
Nearby Attractions: Quan Thanh Temple, within walking distance
4. Perfume Pagoda
Photo: Degaharu / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Perfume Pagoda is a group of shrines in the limestone hills, around 60 km from Hanoi. Most visitors start with a boat ride on the Yen River, passing small villages and fields along the way. From the riverbank, you either climb the steep path or take the cable car up the mountain. The main site is Huong Tich Cave, where a temple sits among rock formations that locals treat as sacred. Early in the year, especially from January to March, the crowds are heavy as pilgrims come to pray. Outside the festival season, it is quieter, and the boat trip and climb are as much a part of the visit as the cave itself.
Location: My Duc District, about 60 km southwest of Hanoi
Highlights: Boat ride on the Yen River, Huong Tich Cave, limestone scenery
Nearby Attractions: Yen Stream villages and Thien Tru Pagoda at the mountain base
5. Po Nagar Cham Towers
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
The Cham people built the Po Nagar towers between the 7th and 12th centuries, when they ruled parts of central Vietnam. Ten towers once stood on the hill, but only four remain. They are built of red brick, with some sandstone carvings showing Hindu gods still visible on the walls. The main tower is dedicated to the goddess Po Nagar and is still used for worship today. Visitors find locals bringing offerings, while tourists move through the courtyards to look at the towers. Standing above the Cai River and close to the city, the site is easy to reach and is one of the busiest stops in Nha Trang.
Location: Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province
Highlights: Red-brick Cham towers, sandstone carvings, worship at Po Nagar Tower
Nearby Attractions: Long Son Pagoda and Nha Trang Cathedral
6. My Son Sanctuary
Photo: Chainwit / Wikimedia Commons
My Son Sanctuary is a valley site where the Cham people built Hindu temples over many centuries. Most were made of red brick, with carvings of gods and animals cut into sandstone. The area once had dozens of towers, but only part of them remain, some damaged by weather and by war. The towers stand in open patches of land, with trees and hills around the valley. You move from one group to the next on simple dirt paths. The bricks have darkened with age, and weeds grow from the cracks. Unlike temples inside cities, My Son feels remote, and the quiet of the valley makes the site different.
Location: Quang Nam Province, 40 km from Hoi An
Highlights: Cham brick towers, sandstone carvings, forest valley setting
Nearby Attractions: Hoi An Ancient Town
7. Cao Dai Temple
Photo: Dominik Tefert / Wikimedia Commons
Cao Dai Temple is the main religious center for Cao Daiism, a faith founded in southern Vietnam in the 1920s. The temple building looks different from most others in the country. It is painted in bright colors, with dragon statues, globe symbols, and tall towers at the front. Inside, the main hall is filled with columns painted with dragons and a large globe showing the “Divine Eye,” a symbol of the faith. Visitors are allowed to watch ceremonies, which take place four times a day. During the service, priests dressed in red, yellow, and blue robes chant and bow while musicians play traditional instruments. Tourists sit quietly in the back or on the upper balcony to observe.
Location: Tay Ninh Province, 90 km from Ho Chi Minh City
Highlights: Dragon pillars, Divine Eye globe, colorful ceremonies
Nearby Attractions: Cu Chi Tunnels, usually paired on day tours
8. Jade Emperor Pagoda
Photo: Kirandeep Singh Walia / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Jade Emperor Pagoda was built in the early 20th century by Chinese immigrants in Saigon. This is a Taoist temple, and most of the halls have statues of the Jade Emperor along with figures of guardians and other gods. The halls are crowded with carvings and altars, with a few lanterns hanging above. Incense smoke makes the air thick, and the only light comes through small roof openings. People move from one shrine to the next, leaving fruit or paper offerings. The largest statue of the Jade Emperor is in the main hall, while side rooms hold other gods.
Location: District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Highlights: Jade Emperor statue, Taoist carvings, active shrines
Nearby Attractions: Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens
9. Vinh Trang Pagoda
Photo: Kwozyn / Wikimedia Commons
Vinh Trang Pagoda sits on the edge of My Tho town in the Mekong Delta. It was first built in the mid-19th century and later expanded, which is why its design is a mix of different influences. The façade has European-style arches, while the roof and courtyards follow Vietnamese and Khmer styles. The grounds are spread out, with large gardens, ponds, and several Buddha statues. The most striking is the huge sitting Buddha, visible from the road outside. There is also a reclining Buddha and a standing Amitabha. The main hall has several wooden statues on the altars, painted and decorated in bright tones.
Location: My Tho, Tien Giang Province (Mekong Delta)
Highlights: Giant Buddha statues, mixed architectural styles, gardens, and ponds
Nearby Attractions: My Tho town and boat trips on the Mekong River
10. Ba Thien Hau Temple
Photo: Sachith Ravishka Kodikara / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Ba Thien Hau Temple was built in the late 18th century by the Cantonese community in Saigon. It is dedicated to Thiên Hậu (Mazu), the sea goddess who protects sailors and travelers. The temple sits in District 5, at the heart of Cholon, the city’s old Chinatown. The courtyards are narrow, filled with altars, wooden panels, and ceramic figures on the roof. Incense coils hang over the hall, and the smoke builds up inside. People step in, light sticks, bow a few times, and leave fruit on the tables. The goddess statue stands in the middle, with smaller figures set close by.
Location: District 5, Ho Chi Minh City (Cholon area)
Highlights: Incense coils, goddess statue, decorated roof tiles
Nearby Attractions: Binh Tay Market, Cholon’s main market area
Temples in Vietnam are more than tourist spots—they’re woven into daily life. From Hanoi’s historic pagodas to Cham towers along the coast and lively shrines in Ho Chi Minh City, each tells part of Vietnam’s story. Some are peaceful and remote, others are busy with worshippers and incense. Visiting them offers a deeper look at how history, religion, and tradition meet. Plan your journey with TripXL to explore these temples meaningfully.
Cover Photo: Simon Wiedensohler / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
