Tôn Thạnh Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Long An Province. This ancient pagoda is quite famous in history and literature, where Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, a great poet, a patriotic scholar of Vietnam once wrote immortal poems for the country’s literature.

The pagoda was originally named Lan Nhã, built by Buddhist Monk Viên Ngộ in 1808. During 3 years (1859 – 1861), Vietnamese poet Nguyễn Đình Chiểu lived and worked as a medical practitioner. He also wrote many novels. One of his immortal novels, Vǎn tế nghĩa sĩ Cần Giuộc (Eulogy for the Righteous People of Cần Giuộc), was written during his lifetime at this pagoda.

The Tôn Thạnh pagoda still retains its ancient and pure appearance. It also preserves many ancient statues of artistic value in the style of the 19th century. Especially, the bronze statue of the Kṣitigarbha was cast right in the pagoda.

In 1997, Tôn Thạnh pagoda was ranked a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Vietnam. Currently, the pagoda is a spiritual, cultural, and historical tourist destination not only for people from Mekong Delta but also others.

Tôn Thạnh Pagoda