Tien Giang is a land of Southern history and culture, in which Vinh Trang Pagoda is an important place that cannot be ignored. This pagoda that has existed for three centuries is extremely unique because of the harmonious combination of Eastern and Western cultures. Therefore, this is both a pilgrimage site for Buddhists and a place for you to admire the architectural landscape and take pictures that captivate viewers! Let's explore Vinh Trang Pagoda with Easygo in Tien Giang!
Geographical location and construction history of Vinh Trang pagoda
Vinh Trang Pagoda is located right at Nguyen Trung Truc street, My Tho city, Tien Giang province, and about 3km northeast of My Tho city center. The pagoda is located on an area of fruit orchards up to nearly 2 hectares wide.
This pagoda is ranked as the oldest in the Southwest region and is a national historical and cultural relic. The number of pilgrimage tourists to the pagoda every day is up to 1000 guests, of which there are about 300 foreign guests.
Vinh Trang Pagoda is also known as Vinh Truong Pagoda - the history of pagoda construction with many ups and downs and through many generations of change and embellishment to get what it is today.
According to historical records, the person who built this pagoda was Mr. and Mrs. Bui Cong Dat - an official during the reign of King Minh Mang.
The pagoda was built in the 19th century and the formation of the pagoda first originates from the aromatic heart of the local people.
In 1894, Thich Hue Dang monk from Giac Lam Pagoda (Gia Dinh) returned to the abbot to organize the construction of a great tpagoda and named it Vinh Truong Pagoda. The reason for taking this name with the meaning of praying for the pagoda to be "Eternal for the mountains, eternal for heaven and earth".
To get the appearance like today, the pagoda has gone through many repairs and embellishments. In 1907, the Tra Chanh Hau monk made a big change to the pagoda when he decided to repair the main hall, bringing the Eurasian features mixed and combined. In 1930, under the abbot of Venerable Minh Dang, the pagoda was completely restored and brought a completely different beauty.
Not only that, but this pagoda is also a place associated with the heroic history of the nation. During the two resistance wars against foreign invaders, Vinh Trang pagoda was a place for revolutionary soldiers to hide from the enemy's stalking.
Despite being discovered many times and severely damaged, the ancient pagoda is still standing proudly and firmly, enduring despite the rain of bombs and bullets or the cruelty of war and invading forces.
How to get to Vinh Trang Pagoda?
Here's how to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh Trang Pagoda so you in Hanoi can still refer to this route, you can take a plane, train, bus or private vehicle to Ho Chi Minh then go to Tien Giang where Vinh Trang pagoda is located.
There are 2 ways to move from the city. From Ho Chi Minh City to the pagoda: Trung Luong Expressway (if traveling by car) and National Highway 1A (motorcycle).
- Traveling by motorbike along National Highway 1A: From Ho Chi Minh City, you go along Highway 1A until you meet Highway 50 on the left-hand side, then turn into this road. You continue to go straight and turn right into DT 879, go until you meet Nguyen Trung Truc, turn left and go straight to reach the pagoda. On the way along with DT 879, you will pass the Go Cat sluice.
- By car along Trung Luong Expressway: You still start in the direction of National Highway 1A from Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, then go to Nguyen Van Linh roundabout, then go to Trung Luong Expressway (CT01). When you go to the end of CT01, you will reach DT878, this road will take you to QL1A. Going a bit on QL1A you will come to the QL50 road on the left-hand side and then move like the motorbike road above.
If you want to park your motorbike, you can go straight from the entrance to the right side of the pagoda, through a few souvenir shops, you will arrive at the parking spot. For cars, there is a parking area right outside the gate.
The impressive unique architecture of the ancient pagoda
Pagoda with ancient architecture
Vinh Trang Pagoda was built according to the word "Quoc" and impressive "ancient floor" architecture. Most of the visitors when coming here are also impressed with the art of joining pieces of crockery and porcelain to create pictures that are harmonious in color and carry certain meanings.
These are works illustrating the Buddha's story by Hue artisans in 1933.
Initially, when rebuilding the pagoda from the pagoda, Vinh Trang pagoda was built according to the architecture of Giac Lam pagoda in Gia Dinh, but on a larger scale, including 178 pillars, 2 courtyards.
After many renovations, the current pagoda area is 14,000m², 70m long, 20m wide, and has 4 items: front hall, main hall, ancestral house, rear house.
The main hall of the pagoda has elaborately carved and impressive motifs, inside are a pair of large wooden pillars built in the style of "upper-autumn-low-class".
The harmonious combination between the two cultures of Asia and Europe
You will be surprised when you come here and admire with your own eyes the combination and interference between Eurasian architecture: French, Roman, Japanese, Thai, Mien, Cham,… If the pillars and corridors are on The left-hand sides of the pagoda gives you the feeling of being in a European corridor, while the patterns outside the main hall are designed in Renaissance style or Roman archway.
The bottom is French iron wool, the other side is Japanese ceramic tiles. Sometimes the Chinese characters written in the ancient seal style bring a sense of closeness to the worshiper.
Because the Western features are mixed with the East, so even though the pagoda has existed for many years, the ancient beauty is still harmoniously intertwined with the modern features.
The system of precious Buddha statues at Vinh Trang Pagoda
Vinh Trang Pagoda is also a pagoda that preserves many rare and precious Buddha statues, the total number of which includes 60 statues carved in wood, bronze, terracotta, etc., painted in gold.
The most unique and indispensable among them is the set of eighteen Arhats carved from jackfruit wood from the early 20th century.
In addition, there are other treasures of the pagoda, which are 3 bronze statues (Buddha Amitabha, Buddha Quan Am, and The Chi) born in the middle of the 19th century. Together with the common red treasure weighing up to 150kg, height 1, 2m after many years of loss has also completed the pagoda.
Vinh Trang Tien Giang Pagoda can be said to be an ideal destination for those who like to experience spiritual tourism. Come here to find peaceful moments in your heart!
If you come to Tien Giang, you should visit Vinh Trang Pagoda that Easygo introduced!
