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In the early days of the Year of the Horse, when the streets of Ho Chi Minh City were still ablaze with the red of couplets and lanterns, people flocked to temples as a deeply ingrained tradition in their spiritual lives. For many Vietnamese, visiting temples at the beginning of the year is not only to pray for wealth or peace, but also a way to start the new year with a moment of tranquility.
Jade Emperor Pagoda - Incense smoke blends harmoniously in the heart of the city.
Ngoc Hoang Pagoda (also known as Phuoc Hai Tu) is an ancient temple over a hundred years old, built by a Chinese devotee in the early 20th century (around 1892-1909), dedicated to the Jade Emperor according to Taoist beliefs.
Ngoc Hoang Pagoda, also known as Phuoc Hai Tu, is a place that former US President Barack Obama once visited.
The air was thick with the lingering scent of incense from early morning, causing everyone to slow their pace. People lined up to offer incense, clasped their hands in prayer, entrusting unfinished business from the past year and expressing their hopes for the new year.
Amidst the crowds, the foreign couple Benjamin and Mica from Argentina also visited the Jade Emperor Pagoda at the beginning of the year. Benjamin shared that they learned about the pagoda from former US President Barack Obama's visit in May 2016, during his official visit to Vietnam. Meanwhile, Mica shared her personal feelings after visiting, taking photos of the architecture, and observing the locals praying with reverence. "We felt as if we had just stepped into a very unique part of East Asian spiritual life," she said.
Benjamin and Mica, a couple from Argentina, visited the Jade Emperor Pagoda.
Not only Vietnamese visitors, but many foreign tourists also visit the temple at the beginning of the year.
The Jade Emperor Pagoda is famous as a place where many people come to pray for children, love, and peace. During Tet (Lunar New Year), this belief becomes even more pronounced. Older people go to worship early, and young people also visit the pagoda before starting their spring outings. Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, the pagoda serves as a "breathing space" for people to find peace of mind.
The temple has a small but lush, peaceful space in the heart of the country's most vibrant city.
Ba Thien Hau Temple - The colorful religious traditions of the Chinese community.
Leaving the central district and heading to the Cholon area - District 5, the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse takes on a different character. This is where the Chinese community has lived for a long time, preserving many traditional customs that have been recognized by the State as intangible cultural heritage, such as the Lantern Festival of the Chinese community in District 5.
The Thien Hau Temple, built in the 18th century by the Cantonese people, is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the goddess of the sea. The swirling incense sticks hanging high and burning brightly for days create a sacred and mystical atmosphere. At the beginning of the year, people come here not only to pray for peace but also for prosperous business and a harmonious family life.
Ba Thien Hau Temple is a popular destination for many tourists, including young people, at the beginning of the year.
Visiting temples at the beginning of the year is a common custom among Vietnamese people, but when immersed in the atmosphere of the Thien Hau Temple, one sees a clear blend of Vietnamese and Chinese cultures. Vietnamese people come to worship the goddess with just as much sincerity as the Chinese. The prayers may be in different languages, but they share a common aspiration: a prosperous new year.
A foreign tourist visits the Thien Hau Temple at the beginning of the year.
In the temple courtyard, Tran Minh Anh (27 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City) quickly adjusted her camera angle before entering the main hall. “The architecture here is impressive at first glance – the tiled roofs, lanterns, the incense coils hanging high… every angle is beautiful,” Minh Anh said. She said she learned about the temple through social media, saw many people checking in, and was curious to visit at the beginning of the year.
"Since I'm already here, I might as well linger a bit, clasp my hands, and pray for peace for my family. Visiting the temple at the beginning of the year, everything suddenly feels calmer," Minh Anh remarked, noting that there were quite a few young people around her that day – some taking photos, some filming videos, and others simply admiring the ancient atmosphere.
Amidst the festive atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), the temple serves as both a renowned cultural destination and a place where people can find a moment of tranquility. Perhaps it is this blend of religious belief and modern life that makes the Thien Hau Temple always so crowded with visitors every spring.
Nghia An Assembly Hall - A Heritage Site in the Heart of Cho Lon
Also in District 5, Nghia An Assembly Hall, built by the Teochew community in the early 19th century, is a place of worship for Guan Yu, a symbol of loyalty and integrity. The building has been classified as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument, becoming a cultural landmark for the Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nghia An Assembly Hall also attracts many visitors in the early days of the new year, who come to visit, take photos, and pay their respects.
During Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), the community hall is not only a place for offering incense but also a space for community gatherings. Traditional rituals, especially during the Lantern Festival, are solemnly performed, contributing to the preservation of recognized religious values. Young people come here to learn more about their roots, while older generations come to maintain a connection with the past.
Nguyen Hoang Phuc (25 years old, working in the field of content creation) stood for quite a while in front of the three-tiered, intricately carved tile roof, where the reliefs and ceramic statues stood out against the sky. “I had seen pictures of the meeting hall on social media, but seeing it in person made me realize how detailed it is. From the entrance gate to the inside, every corner is worth admiring,” Phuc said.
He said he initially came out of curiosity about the ancient architecture in the heart of Cholon and wanted to take some photos to start the year. After touring and taking pictures, Phuc spent a few minutes clasping his hands and praying for a smooth year ahead. "Visiting a place like this at the beginning of the year makes me feel like I have a clearer starting point."
According to Phuc, there were quite a few young people around him that day, carrying cameras and phones. Some were just checking in, some were researching the history of the meeting hall, and some stood silently for quite a while in front of the altar of Quan Cong. Their presence made the ancient space both solemn and vibrant – a place where heritage is not only preserved but also accessible through the eyes of the younger generation.
The meeting hall boasts elaborate and sophisticated architecture, making it a popular choice as a backdrop for New Year's photos.
Visiting temples and community halls at the beginning of the year is therefore not just a religious act. It is a form of "returning" to family, to memories, and to faith. In Saigon – a city considered open and dynamic – spaces like Ngoc Hoang Temple, Thien Hau Temple, or Nghia An Community Hall help slow down the pace of life. In that moment, faith is no longer a story confined to one community but becomes a bridge connecting the past with the present, connecting locals with friends from all over the world in a Vietnamese spring.
