Jade Emperor Pagoda (Vietnamese: chùa Ngọc Hoàng; chùa means pagoda) is one of the most spectacularly atmospheric pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City. When traveling to Saigon, the Jade Emperor Pagoda will be a peaceful, spiritual place that still leaves you with unforgettable impressions.
Overview of Jade Emperor Pagoda
The pagoda was built at the beginning of the 20th century by Lưu Minh, a Chinese man who migrated from Guangzhou province in Southwest China. In 1982, Venerable Thich Vinh Khuong came to take over the shrine. Since then, this shrine has belonged to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. In 1984, the Jade Emperor Palace was renamed “Phuoc Hai Tu” (Vietnamese: chùa Phước Hải). However, the locals around here still prefer the name Ngọc Hoàng as it is special.
This place attracts many tourists, not only during festivals but also on the first day or the full moon day of every month. The local people tell each other that this pagoda is very sacred, so they often come here to pray for luck, peace, love, and to have children. In particular, the Jade Emperor Pagoda was visited by US President Obama on May 24, 2016; since then, its reputation has become increasingly well known among tourists from all over.
The pagoda is free to visit, but a number of donation boxes are dotted around the site. There is no strict dress code; however, to be respectful, opt for clothing that covers the shoulders and drops below the knee.
Due to a large number of tourists visiting this site daily, you should visit the pagoda early in the morning to enjoy the peaceful and quiet atmosphere here or on January 9 of the lunar calendar – the birth anniversary of the Jade Emperor. On October 15, 1994, the Jade Emperor Pagoda was recognized as a national architectural and artistic relic.
Address: 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
Architecture of the Jade Emperor Pagoda
The Jade Emperor Pagoda is designed in the style of Chinese architecture, with many pictures and gorgeously decorated walls. It was built of baked bricks, covered by a unique Yin-Yang roof style, and decorated with many colored ceramic statues.
The roof corners are decorated with colorful ceramic statues and elaborately carved mascots. The outside is a mix of red bricks and a bit of ancient colors. After many restorations, the Jade Emperor Pagoda still retains its ancient features and unique design style.
Visitors will have the opportunity to admire valuable works of art, made of ancient materials such as ceramic and wood. In addition, the neatly arranged papier-mâché statues resembling gods gathered to worship the Jade Emperor are also a highlight not to be missed.
From the outside, there is nothing particularly outstanding about the pagoda, but as soon as you enter the gate, you will be surprised by the grandeur inside. First is the three-entrance gate decorated with two dragons fighting over a pearl on the top; two unicorns in the front, and two snails at the corners.
Passing the gate, you come to a large yard with an impressive statue of the protector and a pond where many types of fish and turtles live.
The worshipping area consists of three parts: the main chamber and two other departments. The Jade Emperor, the Buddha, and other genies are worshiped in the main chamber.
Besides, there is the altar of Nüwa – a mother goddess, culture hero, and Twelve Midwives.
Legend has it that Nuwa is the mother in charge of births on earth, while the Twelve Midwives and Thirteen masters each take care of one task (shaping hands, feet, etc.) in creating an image of a child. Therefore, many infertile people often come here to pray for children.
This is the most crowded area because many people go there to pray for having a baby and luck for pregnant women. On the right of the main hall, a statue of Guanyin is put in a solemn position.
Jade Emperor Pagoda also houses more than 300 ancient statues and other artworks, such as worshipping paintings, parallel sentences, and altars made of wood, ceramic, and cardboard.
Among them, parallel sentences with the type of Sino-Vietnamese characters heritage account for the largest number in this pagoda. Most of them were delicately carved on precious wood, so they have high artistic value. Through these artifacts, you will better understand the religious ideology and beliefs present at the Jade Emperor Pagoda.
Source: collected by An
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