Phuoc Kien Pagoda

Phuoc Kien Pagoda (Vietnamese: chùa Phước Kiển, chùa means pagoda) is a special pagoda in Dong Thap Province. This is home to the most unique lotus varieties in Vietnam, imported from the Amazon, with extremely large sizes that can carry people weighing up to 80kg. This giant lotus leaf alone has made a significant tourist attraction, particularly in Dong Thap.

How unique is Phuoc Kien Pagoda?

The pagoda was built with simple, unfussy architecture, including an entrance gate, a tower dedicated to Guanyin, and the main hall. Although it lacks a majestic design, this pagoda has a history of more than 150 years.

Phuoc Kien Pagoda was bombed during the war, so there are many bomb craters. The temple has been renovated into 2 lotus ponds, creating a beautiful landscape. The small lake is in front of the entrance, and the large lake is behind it. In both areas, only large-leaf lotuses with unique shapes and sizes are grown, commonly known by locals as the lotus king. Because of the special giant lotus species, the pagoda is also named Sen Vua(King Lotus) Pagoda or Lá Sen (Lotus Leaf) Pagoda.

Actually, the strange lotus species is native to the Amazon region; the scientific name is Victoria Regia. Lotus leaves are large, thick, and have many spines. These leaves can shrink in volume depending on the season. In the dry season, the lotus leaves shrink to only about 1-1.5m wide. However, lotus plants grow quickly during the high-water season (August through November). In the floating season, the leaves are flooded, so they grow more, reaching 2.5m in diameter. There are individual trees, and the leaves are more than 3m wide.

The edge of the lotus leaf is 3-5cm above the water surface, shaped like a sports hat. It is thanks to its large size that this lotus species can “carry” an adult weighing about 70-80kg, without significantly disturbing the water surface. Despite possessing large leaves, this lotus species has very small flowers. The flowers are similar to water lilies, but with more petals.

Lotus flowers bloom for 3 days, opening twice a day, changing colour continuously. The flowers bloom for the first time around 6 pm, radiating a fragrant scent until 12 am the next morning, then begin to close. At about 3 o’clock, the flowers bloom again, and at about 4-5 pm, they close their petals. When it first blooms, the flowers are white, gradually turning pink and then dark purple as they approach fade.

Visitors to the temple can stand on the giant lotus leaves and take pictures. Inside the lotus leaf is a circular aluminium plate. Local people will make small wooden bridges to assist guests in stepping on the lotus leaves safely without tearing the leaves.

In addition to the lotus with giant leaves, Phuoc Kien Pagoda also has many other “treasures”, including 3 turtles. Of these 3 turtles, one is 106 years old (weighing 15kg), and the other is 101 years old (weighing 13kg), called “old turtles”. There is a remarkable thing: the youngest turtle sleeps only on a mosquito net and never goes into the water. The turtles all eat vegetarian foods.

When monks chant, turtles either crawl to the main hall or listen to the chanting. According to monk Thích Huệ Từ, the two oldest turtles lived in the temple before he became the abbot here.

Useful information

• Location: Tan Nhuan Dong Commune, Dong Thap Province.
• Best for: Family, solo, couple
• Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 – 18:00
• Other tourist spots nearby: Xẻo Quyét Relic Area, Huỳnh Thủy Lê Ancient House, Sa Đéc flower gardens, Tràm Chim National Park, The tomb of Nguyễn Sinh Sắc, Kiến An Cung…