An Giang is famous as a pure “sacred land” with ancient pagodas imbued with architectural beauty and folk culture. Hang Pagoda is one of the most sacred pagodas, attracting many visitors from all over to enjoy, make pilgrimages, pray for blessings, and admire the wonderful view from here.
Overview of Hang Pagoda in An Giang
Hang Pagoda is a familiar name that local people use for one of the famous pagodas in Chau Doc, An Giang, namely Phuoc Dien Pagoda (Vietnamese: Phước Điền). Phước means “blessing,” and Điền means “land” (field); the name Phuoc Dien can be understood simply as the land where blessings are planted.
The pagoda has been recognized as a National Historical-Cultural Monument, located on the slopes of Sam Mountain near the Lady Temple relic cluster, Tay An Pagoda, and Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb. Traveling to An Giang and visiting Hang Pagoda is like stepping through a door into a new world, free of dust and dirt, immersing yourself in a peaceful, fresh, and mellow atmosphere like a fairy-tale place.
Legend has it that Hang Pagoda was founded by Mrs. Tho (full Vietnamese name Le Thi Tho, born in 1818). After getting married, she encountered a difficult situation in life and took refuge in the Buddha at Tay An Pagoda, adopting the dharma name Dieu Thien.
After practicing at Tay An Pagoda, which was frequented by many people, she went to find a quiet place with no one around to practice. Going west of Sam Mountain, she encountered a deep cave, dense with trees, so she stayed and built a hut made of bamboo and leaves as a place to practice, which was the origin of today’s Hang Pagoda in An Giang.
Next to the hermitage where Mrs. Tho practices is a deep mountain cave, inside which are a pair of giant snakes. Since she came to practice, the pair of snakes has listened to Buddhist scriptures every day, become gentle, eaten vegetarian food, and not harmed people.
When she passed away, this pair of snakes suddenly disappeared. Then, to avoid danger, the cave was filled with only the entrance, about 10 meters deep, inside worshiping Amitabha Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva.
Inspired by the virtue of nun Dieu Thien, in 1885, Mr. Phan Thong (real name Nguyen Ngoc Cang) and local people contributed money to build a pagoda with a tiled floor, tiled roof, and wooden pillars. … named Phuoc Dien Tu, but many people still call it Hang Pagoda.
The beauty of Hang Pagoda
Located on the slopes of Sam Mountain, Hang Pagoda gives visitors an exceptional experience. A very charming but equally sacred space. This over one hundred-year-old pagoda offers extremely clear views and a quiet, respectful space. Hang Pagoda is surrounded by deep green forests of majestic mountains, many species of trees bloom in season and color the entire area, bringing a poetic picture to the ancient Hang Pagoda.
To get to the pagoda grounds, you will have to follow the steps made of stone blocks, which are quite steep, so climbing will be a bit tiring.
Going up to the pagoda, opening before your eyes is a large campus, fresh air, unique architecture, and brilliant bougainvillea bushes.
What sets Hang Pagoda (Phuoc Dien Tu) apart is its unique stance. The pagoda, with many floors, stood along an open-air path next to steep, dangerous cliffs. These mountains and cliffs form a giant relief that shields the pagoda.
In the garden of Hang Pagoda, there is a large water lily pond, surrounded by many types of flowers, creating a fresh green space, mixed with white, yellow, and red flowers.
From the pagoda’s garden, visitors to Hang Pagoda can also admire the peaceful countryside of An Giang. Hang Pagoda built a separate area to worship Maitreya Buddha, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, and the Four Dharma Protectors, who stand looking down at the foot of the mountain.
Deep inside the grounds, you will see two stupas adorned with vibrant colors and elaborate carvings. These two stupas are places of worship for the two abbots who made the greatest contributions to the construction of Hang Pagoda: Ms. Dieu Thien and monk Thich Hue Thien.
The main hall of Hang Pagoda in An Giang is not too large but is built with great majesty and decorated with highly artistic reliefs. The main hall is guarded by a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and several other deities. In front of the pagoda is a 20m-high banner featuring white statues of various mascots. Below the steps are two quite lively lion statues.
As you go through the main hall area, you will see a small temple right next to a natural cave, which is also the origin of the pagoda’s name.
Inside the cave, there are also two altars and two large statues of snakes, their eyes lit up with lights, creating a mysterious spiritual effect. Besides the worship halls, Hang Pagoda in An Giang is also currently building additional structures for visitors to rest or stay overnight.
Hang Pagoda in An Giang
- Best for: solo travelers, families, students, pilgrims…
- Other tourist spots nearby: Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb, Chau Doc floating village, Sam Mountain Tourist Area, The Lady Temple, Tra Su Cajuput Forest, Cham Village, Oc Eo Relic area...
Source: collected by An
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