- Nomadic Siddhu
Hindu Temples in Vietnam
Temples are one of the main attractions in Vietnam and tourists come here to witness the beautiful structures and designs of these temples. Although Vietnam is predominantly a Buddhist country it still has the touch of other religions which is displayed in the Hindu temples of Vietnam.
Other than Buddhism, you will find here a mix of several religions, such as Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Taoism and many more. There is a huge list of Hindu temples in Vietnam and most of them do not have any entry fee, but you have to wear proper ethnic dresses and have to enter the prayer halls in bare feet.
Take a look at the Hindu temples in Vietnam you must visit while holidaying there!
1. My Son Sanctuary, Hoi An
Surrounded by lush jungle-covered mountains, My Son is a ruined Cham-era temple city that dates from the 4th century. This old Hindu religious centre was still very much in use during the 7th to 10th centuries and only fell into complete decline and abandonment during the 13th century.
There are around 20 temple structures still standing here, all built of brick or sandstone blocks and showing interesting influences from various Asian empires, including Indian and Malay.
It is a cultural site that was recognized as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam in 1999.
Location: Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Duy Xuyen, Hoi An, Vietnam
Timing: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry fee: VND 150,000
2. Subramaniam Temple, Saigon
Located in the heart of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), this was set up by Indian merchants who came to Saigon for trade purposes in 19th century.
The most fascinating feature of Subramaniam temple is the presence of Navagraha's, each of them dressed in different coloured silk robes. There are pictures of Lord Shiva, Krishna, Shiva, Goddess Laxmi, and Saraswathi etc. The temple survived through the years of neglect and is now one of the most beautiful Hindu temples of Vietnam.
Location: 98, Nam Ky Khor Nglina Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Timing: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry fee: free
3. Mariamman Temple, Saigon
Mariamman Hindu Temple is a sacred Hindu Temple dedicated to the goddess of the Rain ‘Mariamman’. This temple was built in the late 19th century by traders coming from India and has been well preserved. This Hindu temple in Saigon is believed to have miraculous powers giving luck and wealth to its visitors.
The temple features colourful carvings of Parvati, Ganesh, Vishnu and Brahma. The 12-m tall Raja gopuram houses the main statue of Mariamman flanked by her two protectors.
Location: 45 Truong Dinh, Phuong Ben Thành, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Timing: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Entry fee: free
4. Po Nagar Cham Towers, Nha Trang
The Po Nagar Cham Towers are an ancient Hindu temple complex located on the grounds of Mount Cu Lau in Nha Trang.
The Po Nagar Cham Towers is one of the oldest monumental structures of Vietnam. This structure is considered to be built in between 8th to 11th century by the people of Cham Empire who were Hindus by religion. The primary deity here is Po Nagar, or "The Mother of the Country".
There are four red brick towers in the compound, of which the tallest North Tower features a beautiful 1.2 m tall statue of Yan Po Nagar sitting cross-legged. This monument shows their exceptional skill and art levels and should be definitely visited by anyone who is interested in history.
Location: 2 Tháng 4, Vinh Phuoc, Thành Pho Nha Trang, Khánh Hòa 650000, Vietnam
Timing: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry fee: VND 22000
5. Po Shanu Cham Towers, Mui Ne
The Po Shanu Cham Towers are perched atop the Ong Hoang Hill and are an important centre of the Champa Dynasty's history. This site comprises of three different towers, among which are structures that are built in reverence of the Hindu deities Lord Shiva, Agni and Nandi.
The main sanctum of the temple region is 15 meters high, housing many Shiva Lingams and is still a centre of worship among the ethnic Cham community. The other two towers are 12 meters and 5 meters each. Excavations here have also revealed several temples dedicated to Princess Po Shanu, daughter of King Para Chanh. In addition to being a religious centre, this destination also offers a spectacular view of Phan Thiet and its shoreline. An ancient war fortress used by the French and the Vietnamese is also located here.
Location: Ong Hoang Hill, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet
Timing: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry fee: VND 10,000
6. Sri Thenday Yuttha Panin Temple, Ho Chi Minh City
A simple Hindu shrine, Sri Thenday Yuttha Panin Temple features paintings and statues of numerous gods. Be sure to climb up to the rooftop for a great view of the city.
This temple is built around the same time as the Mariamman Temple. It is quite popular with the locals and I found plenty of Vietnamese people coming there to pray. You have to wear clothes covering your shoulders and long enough to be below your knees. Footwear should be removed before entering.
Lord Muruga is the main deity, but typically Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva and Durga is worshipped too, with Krishna as Jaganath. Facing the main shrine is a stone peacock, being the vahana or vehicle of Muruga. The temple also have a stunning silver chariot with Lord Muruga and his two wives. His guardian, Idumban is also present in the temple.
Location: 66 Ton That Thiep, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
Timing: 5 AM to 8 PM
Entry fee: Free
7. Nhan Tower, Phu Yen
As the last relic of Champa Kingdom, Nhan Tower is an important symbol of Phu Yen for its historical values and interesting anecdotes. Located close to Nhan Mountain, on a hilltop of the northern bank of Da Rang river.
Nhan tower was built over 800 years ago as the worshipping place for the ancient Cham people. It is hence called Cham Tower by the locals. Countless flamingos (or Nhan) used to flock the mountain in the old days, so the tower was also called Nhan Tower. It was almost ruined during the French domination and then rebuilt under the reign of Ngo Dinh Diem.
The tower is over 65 feet high. It looks mysterious and beguiling at night with impressive illumination. The shape is unique with lotus flowers carved around the bottom and the top looks like a tern. The interesting thing about its structure is that it allows tourists to have a great view of the city from the ground floor underneath the tower.
Visiting Nhan Tower with the help of a tour guide will enrich your experience in Phu Yen with priceless insights into the history of the province. For tourists who love to explore historical and cultural values, this attraction is certainly a crucial part of the journey.
Location: Phường 1, Tuy Hòa, Phú Yên Province, Vietnam
Timing: 9 AM to 6 PM
Entry fee: free
8. Thap Doi (Twin Towers), Quy Nhon
Only two kilometres from the city centre, the Thap Doi Towers (or ‘Twin Towers’) are the most accessible of all the Cham sites. Built in the late 12th – early 13th century, these red brick towers sit humbly in a small city park, surrounded by coconut palms, banana trees and other tropical plants. The pair of towers stand side by side, one at 20 metres tall and the other around 18 metres.
Steep steps lead up to the shrines inside where the ceiling is exposed and opens to the sky. From the outside, the corners of each roof appear to be held up by the torsos of garudas (a bird-like creature from Hindu mythology). The architectural style shares some similar characteristics with Angkor sites and reflects exchanges between Champa and the Khmer Kingdom.
Location: Dong Da Ward, Quy Nhon, Vietnam
Timing: 8 AM to 7 PM
Entry fee: free
Now, I hope it’s pretty much clear where you should be heading to while in Vietnam for a unique experience and to seek the blessings of God. So, now, don’t think too much, just plan a trip to Vietnam and experience the joy.