Ang Pagoda, (Vietnamese: Chùa Âng; chùa means pagoda; Paly language: Wat Angkor Raig Borei) is one of the famous spiritual destinations in Vinh Long province. With its unique architecture and more than 1,000 years of history, Ang Pagoda always attracts many visitors from all over to visit, pray, and learn about Buddhism.
Overview of Ang Pagoda
When mentioning Vinh Long, people think of the land of ancient Khmer pagodas and historical relics, rich in legends, often associated with journeys to explore the Mekong Delta. The province has many Khmer pagodas, among which Ang pagoda is considered one of the largest and is typical of the province’s Khmer pagodas.
Ang Pagoda is located in Nguyet Hoa Ward. From Ho Chi Minh City, the best way to get here is to book a private car to Tra Vinh ward with a driver. The pagoda is located in the scenic cluster of Ba Om pond and the Khmer ethnic cultural museum, a highlight not to be missed on Vinh Long’s tourist map.
According to historical records, Ang Pagoda was first built in the 10th century (990) and was rebuilt in 1842. Since then, the pagoda has been restored and repaired many times, including the construction of new buildings such as houses for monks, an abstinence hall… However, the main hall remains largely as it was originally formed.
From afar, you will see the pagoda’s buildings, with tower-like architecture rising straight to the sky, magnificent yet no less solemn.
Architectural with bold traditional features of Ang Pagoda
From the main gate, a wide walkway runs between two rows of old trees with tall, large trunks that both shade the space and lend majesty to the pagoda. The walkway across the moat is about 4 m wide and more than 400 m long, surrounding the main hall and other architectural works.
The main gate is majestic, consisting of 3 towers topped with a statue. On both sides of the pillar are images of fairies and magical birds following traditional motifs of Khmer culture.
The pagoda is surrounded by a deep moat. Almost the same as many other Khmer pagodas in Vinh Long, Ang Pagoda is a complex of architectural works, including a monastery, a lecture hall, and a majestic main hall.
The center of Ang pagoda is the main hall (Preah Vihea), which worships Buddha and reflects the level of contemporary artisans in architecture, painting, sculpture… The main hall of the pagoda is built of green stone, lined with ancient bricks, and surrounded by a fence over 1 meter high, leaving two doors in the east and west. The main hall is built on a second foundation, higher than the first, surrounded by a second fence, 0.5 m high.
The main hall of Ang Pagoda was built with a wooden frame and a tiled roof, supported by 18 pillars of precious wood. Outside the front hallway are 6 columns, of which 4 middle columns are molded in the shape of a fairy (Keyno), and two columns on both sides are molded in the shape of a god bird (Krud) to support the roof frame.
Inside the main hall is a large space with 12 pillars decorated with dragon images, painted and gilded.
The roof of the main hall of Ang Pagoda is uniquely structured, with three roof levels and beautiful, harmonious colors, the top two of which are very high and steep, creating a sacred feeling that Buddhists must be very humble when looking up.
The roof mounds have the snake god Naga with a curved crest, symbolizing the bridge between the world and Nirvana. The Buddha altar is a wooden lotus flower carved with intricate motifs. On the ceiling are four monumental frescoes showing four stages in Buddha Shakyamuni’s life: Buddha’s birth, Buddha’s renunciation, Buddha’s enlightenment, and Buddha’s entry into nirvana.
Similar to other Khmer Theravada pagodas, the main hall of Ang Pagoda worships only Shakyamuni Buddha in a meditative sitting position. On the pedestal is the main statue, 2.1m high, and 55 Buddha statues made of cement and precious wood, all gilded with gold. Ang Pagoda still preserves many precious ancient artifacts, especially Buddhist scriptures written on leaves.
In front of the main hall is a tower containing the remains of the monks who presided over the temple through the ages. What is special is that this is the only five-spired tower among Khmer temples in Vinh Long, which is the influence of Hindu thought on the universe, nature, and humans.
In the spiritual life of the Khmer people, the pagoda is not only a place to practice and perform Buddhist rituals but also a place to preserve and transmit traditional cultural values from generation to generation. With those great material and spiritual values, Ang Pagoda was ranked a national historical-cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 1994.
Useful information about Ang Pagoda
- Best for: solo travelers, families, students, and pilgrims.
- Entrance: Free
- Tourist spots nearby: Museum of Khmer Ethnic Culture, Vam Ray Pagoda, Ong Met Pagoda, Ong Temple, Ba Om Pond…
Source: collected by An
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