Van Phuoc Pagoda - Visit the Largest Pagoda in Ben Tre

Van Phuoc Pagoda Ben Tre is likened to a beautiful painting that leaves visitors in awe. This is one of the famous spiritual tourist destinations in the Mekong Delta, attracting visitors from all over to come and pray. To learn more interesting information about this pagoda, let's follow the article right below from NVK Travel!

Introduction to Van Phuoc Pagoda

Van Phuoc Pagoda carries a rich history along with profound meanings. This place clearly reflects the culture and long-standing traditions of the people in the Mekong Delta.

Location

Van Phuoc Pagoda is located in Binh Chien hamlet, Binh Dai district, Ben Tre province. With an area of up to 12ha, it is considered one of the largest pagodas in the area. The pagoda grounds are extremely spacious and airy, with thousands of types of trees and fruits grown year-round. Upon entering the pagoda, visitors will feel a pleasant atmosphere, fragrant with the scent of wild grass from the countryside.

This place is like a shining gem amidst the desolate old forests. In the midst of the swampy landscape with the smell of mud and tall wild grass, a sparkling gem appears with beautiful architectural works. Since its opening, the pagoda has attracted many visitors to admire and worship the unique giant Buddha statue.

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The pagoda is only about 4km from the center of Ben Tre city

History of Van Phuoc Pagoda

Compared to other ancient pagodas, Van Phuoc is quite young, having been built in 2000. Initially, the pagoda occupied about 8ha and was surrounded by swamps and wild grass. Thanks to the contributions of Buddhists and local people, Van Phuoc Pagoda has been renovated and constructed into the magnificent structure it is today.

The pagoda serves as a pilgrimage site for visitors from afar and as a shelter for the disabled and mentally ill, cared for by the abbot Thich Phuoc Chi. In 2008, it was recognized by the Vietnam Buddhist Association as a pilgrimage destination for pilgrims from all over.

Directions to visit Van Phuoc Pagoda

The pagoda is only 4km from the center of Ben Tre city, so you can get there by motorbike or car. If starting from Ho Chi Minh City, you can take a bus or ride a motorbike following this route:

• Follow the North-South expressway, reach the Than Cuu Nghia interchange, then turn left onto the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong expressway.
• At the intersection with National Highway 1A, continue to turn right onto QL 1A and travel another 4km to the roundabout, where you turn into Ap Bac.
• At the intersection with QL 60, turn right and continue along QL 60 until you reach An Khanh intersection, then turn left into Chau Thanh district.
• At the roundabout, take the third exit, then go another 5.4km to the next roundabout and take the first exit.
• Continue for about 5.6km more, and you will see the shimmering golden gate of Van Phuoc Pagoda.

The road to the pagoda is quite easy to navigate, accessible by motorbike or car

If starting from the center of Ben Tre city, visitors should follow Tran Quoc Tuan street, turn onto 30/4 street, then head to Dong Khoi avenue and go along Nguyen Hue street. Continue on Nguyen Thi Dinh - Huynh Tan Phat road - across Ba Lai bridge, when you enter provincial road 833, you can ask locals for directions to the pagoda.

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Highlights in the architecture of Van Phuoc Pagoda

The architecture of Van Phuoc Pagoda clearly reflects the traditional style of Vietnamese Buddhism, harmoniously combining classical and modern elements. As one of the largest pagodas in Ben Tre, it is built on a vast land with many important architectural features.

The main hall is the main worship area of the pagoda, designed majestically and elegantly with a red tiled roof and wooden beams. The intricate carvings highlight the interior space.

Here, the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni is respectfully placed in the center, symbolizing enlightenment and compassion. Surrounding the statue are statues of Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattvas, and many other Buddhas, creating a solemn and warm spiritual atmosphere.

The corridors surrounding the pagoda are built in an open architectural style, creating a spacious and cool feeling for the space. The walls are decorated with paintings depicting the life of the Buddha, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about Buddhism while exploring the pagoda grounds.

The pagoda grounds are designed in the traditional Buddhist style

Upon visiting the garden of Buddha statues, visitors will be amazed by the harmonious design with large and small statues intricately and beautifully carved. In particular, the giant statue of Maitreya Buddha, over 12m tall, made of gold-plated reinforced concrete, symbolizes compassion and salvation. This is the hottest check-in spot chosen by many visitors to capture memorable moments.

What to see when visiting Van Phuoc Pagoda?

Although it has only existed for just over 25 years, this place still retains the distinctive beauty of traditional Vietnamese Buddhist architecture. The design of the pagoda is partly influenced by ancient imperial architecture. Some notable structures at the pagoda include:

Tam Quan Gate

Similar to other pagodas, the Tam Quan Gate of Van Phuoc Pagoda is also traditionally designed with three entrances and four pillars. However, the pagoda gate stands out with its bright yellow color amidst the wild grass. A unique feature of this structure is that it does not have a red tiled roof; instead, two tall towers resemble a smaller version of a stupa.

The Tam Quan Gate shines brightly, attracting everyone's attention when arriving in Binh Dai district. When the sun sets, golden rays shine through the shimmering yellow paint, creating the feeling that the entire pagoda is glowing, worthy of being the "fairyland" of Ben Tre's coconut land.

Tam Quan Gate - The entrance to the pagoda

Main Hall

Upon passing through the Tam Quan Gate, you will encounter a vast, airy courtyard shaded by ancient trees, incredibly peaceful and serene. Occasionally, you will catch a gentle scent of wild grass mingling with the cool breeze flowing through the trees. Prominently in the spacious area is the giant statue of Maitreya Buddha, placed respectfully in the center of the courtyard. Behind the statue is the parking area, followed by the main hall.

Inside the main hall of Van Phuoc Pagoda, there are three Buddha statues worshipped together, along with the statue of the Original Teacher Shakyamuni and the statue of Amitabha Buddha. To highlight the splendor, the main hall is decorated with statues carved of the Arhats - the outstanding disciples of the Buddha.

The entrance to the main hall worships the deities and Buddhas

To the right of the main hall is another hall for worshipping the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva. In the distance, you will see the statue of Bodhidharma - the one who brought Buddhism to Vietnam. Like the main hall, this space is also adorned with carved walls depicting the life of the Buddha, creating a solemn and tranquil atmosphere.

Giant Maitreya Buddha Statue

Since the Maitreya Buddha statue was inaugurated, Van Phuoc Pagoda has attracted many visitors and pilgrims. This statue has always been a desire and aspiration for Buddhists from all over. And on January 29, 2010, the statue officially came to life under the skilled hands of artisan Thuy Lam.

The Maitreya Buddha statue is intricately carved with an impressive size, weighing up to 99 tons and standing 12.45m tall, made of gold-plated reinforced concrete valued at about 2.27 billion VND. It can be said that the success of these architectural works is thanks to the collective effort of the Buddhists.

The super large Maitreya Buddha statue, nearly 12.5m tall

The statue depicts Maitreya Buddha with a gentle and positive face. The meaning of the statue is to encourage everyone to live optimistically, let go of past pains, and always look towards the future with a smile. The entire statue is covered in shimmering gold, and when the sunlight shines on it, it radiates as if glowing, enhancing the beauty and the solemn, sacred nature of the statue.

Some things visitors need to note when visiting the pagoda.

As a spiritual tourist destination, when visiting the temple, travelers need to pay attention to a few things as follows:

• When visiting the temple, you should choose modest and polite clothing, avoiding shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops. This is a basic factor that shows respect for the place of worship, while also helping you feel more comfortable during your visit.
• Van Phuoc Temple is open from morning until late afternoon, but for the best experience, you should visit in the early morning when the air is fresh and there are fewer visitors. This is also the time when many Buddhists chant sutras; you can participate or listen to learn more about Buddhist culture.
• Maintain silence in the temple space, avoid loud conversations, laughter, or any disrespectful actions. You should also turn off your phone or set it to vibrate to avoid disturbing others. When taking photos, visitors must check if photography is allowed and not interrupt any ongoing ceremonies.
• If possible, you can contribute to the temple or participate in charitable activities organized by the temple. This is a way to express compassion and kindness, and it is also part of Buddhist ethics.

Visitors are required to comply with the regulations of Van Phuoc Temple

Conclusion

In addition to being a place for worshiping and venerating Buddha, Van Phuoc Temple is also an interesting tourist destination for visitors to explore. With its unique architecture and rich spiritual activities, the temple is an ideal space to help you find peace and tranquility in your soul after stressful working days. If you want to learn more about the Ben Tre travel exploration tour and visit the temple, travelers should contact NVK Travel today for advice and great price offers.