Giac Lam Pagoda

Overview

Giac Lam Pagoda, built in 1744, is the oldest Buddhist temple in Ho Chi Minh City. Ancient banyan trees and original wooden architecture offer a window into 18th-century Vietnamese Buddhist life.

Highlights

• Bodhi Tree: A descendant of the original Bodhi tree from India, gifted by a Sri Lankan monk in 1953.
• Ancestral Hall: Rows of photographs and memorial tablets honoring thousands of deceased devotees.
• Antique Architecture: Original hand-carved wooden columns and 98 carved wooden statues from the 18th–19th centuries.

History

Founded in 1744 during the Nguyen Dynasty, Saigon's earliest surviving Buddhist structure.

Visitor Tips

• Quiet Visit: This is an active monastery — maintain silence.
• Full Circuit: Walk the entire grounds including the seven-story stupa.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.