Tien Chau Pagoda in Vinh Long – recognized as a national architectural heritage site – is a popular pilgrimage and cultural destination in the Mekong Delta, attracting worshippers and tourists alike.
Located on An Binh Islet along the left bank of the Co Chien River in Long Ho district, Vinh Long province, Tien Chau Pagoda has been a significant spiritual landmark since it was recognized as a national architectural and artistic relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on December 12, 1994.According to local folklore, An Binh Islet was once a remote, forested area with sparse population. During full moon nights, villagers believed celestial maidens descended to sing and dance on the riverbank. This gave rise to names like Tien Sa (Fairy Landing), Tien Chau (Fairy Pearl), and Bich Tran. With a dense network of canals, the area was also known as Bat Tan – "go in all eight directions" – for its ease of river travel.
In the mid-18th century, Zen master Giac Nguyen from Thua Thien Hue came to the area and built a thatched hut to worship Amitabha Buddha, naming it Am Bai Tien (Hermitage of the Fairy Bank). After his passing, nun Dieu Thien became the abbess and led the effort to rebuild the shrine into a pagoda called Bai Tien.
Later, under the leadership of Venerable Duc Hoi (dharma name Tanh Minh), the temple was reconstructed in wood and renamed Tien Chau Di Da. In 1899, it underwent another major renovation and was officially named Tien Chau Tu, which remains its name to this day.
From downtown Vinh Long, visitors take a 15-minute ferry ride across the Co Chien River and walk about 50 meters to reach the pagoda. Spanning over 11,000 square meters, the temple’s layout follows the traditional Chinese “Tam” character design, comprising three connected halls: the main hall, the patriarch hall, and the living quarters (hậu liêu). Measuring 46 meters in length and 20 meters in width, it embodies classic Buddhist temple architecture.
The front of the main hall houses the Tam Bao (Three Jewels) altar, with a seated wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha over one meter tall. Five pointed towers rise above, with a central plaque reading “Tien Chau Tu.” The flanking halls are designed in an ancient tower style, featuring statues of the guardians Thien Huu and Ac Huu, along with ornate couplets and calligraphy plaques.The main hall showcases a rich collection of antique religious artifacts, including a revered statue of Amitabha Buddha placed between four central pillars. Below it are statues representing the Three Ages Buddhas, Shakyamuni in meditation, and the infant Buddha.
A pair of parallel wood panels, treasured as sacred relics from the temple’s early days, hang on either side of the hall. A centuries-old bronze bell is also preserved at the site.
Mr. Ho Van Phap, 85, the temple’s caretaker, shared that each statue, mural, and artifact holds moral and spiritual teachings on compassion and virtue. Monthly meditation retreats are held on the 17th day of the lunar calendar, attracting followers from across the country. The temple also hosts large Buddhist ceremonies during the lunar New Year, the 7th and 10th lunar months.
The temple’s 96 intricately carved round wooden columns are masterpieces of 18th-century craftsmanship, adding to its serene and majestic atmosphere. Outside, a towering statue of Guanyin (Avalokitesvara) atop a lotus pedestal stands watchfully, framed by dragons, further enhancing the temple’s tranquil setting.
With its deep historical roots and sacred significance, Tien Chau Pagoda is not only a spiritual haven but also a cultural highlight of Vinh Long’s tourism landscape.
Vietnamnet.vn
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