La Han (Arahant) Pagoda – What to see Soc Trang Hidden Gem
Soc Trang City is famous for its sweet and attractive Pia cake, which captivates long-distance travelers. Coming to Soc Trang, visitors also have the opportunity to explore the beautiful temples of this land including the La Han (Arahant) pagoda.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Soc Trang Visitor Guide
1. Better to Know as a Tourist
Ticket: Free
Spend-time: One hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn - Dusk
Food: Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: /la-han-pagoda-soc-trang/
Address: Located at 131 Dien Bien Phu, Cau Den hamlet, ward 8, Soc Trang town.
Added values: Soc Trang La Han Pagoda is a beautiful spiritual destination in Soc Trang province. Coming here, visitors can not only admire the temple with its ancient and superficial beauty like a castle on the western land but also feel peace and dispel the worries of daily life.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from La Han Pagoda? Or maybe you found it too long a drive here? We’ve got some ideas! Check out our list: Nga Nam Floating Market (59 km), Som Rong pagoda (3 km), Bat pagoda (5 km), Bowl Pagoda (16 km), Khleang Khmer Pagoda (3 minutes), Soc Trang Market (2 km), Soc Trang Museum (4 minutes),...
2. Travel Guide to La Han Pagoda
Legend has it that in the past, the Hoa people in the village wanted to pray for the people's peace, good weather, and good business, so they set up a thatched hut to worship the Buddhas, in which there were pictures of 18 Arhats. Therefore, the temple has such a name.
Soc Trang Arhat Pagoda was built in 1952. In the beginning, this temple was just a house of leaves and planks. In 1956, a storm passed and the temple was badly damaged. After that, people rebuilt the pagoda with bricks for sure.
By 1990, residents and Buddhists everywhere contributed to rebuilding a new and more spacious temple. The bridge of the pagoda consists of a ground floor and a first floor, the campus is large and beautiful.
3. What to Do – See – Eat at La Han Pagoda
The temple possesses a unique architecture, large space, and beautiful grounds, which is a great place for tourists from all over the world to visit and make pilgrimages on the occasion of the big full moon or Tet holiday.
Today, this temple is increasingly famous, attracting a large number of tourists from near and far. To get to the temple, you go in the direction of Ton Duc Thang street, then turn right onto Dang Van Vien street and then follow the direction of Black Bridge for about 200m to reach the pagoda.
Arhat Pagoda is built into 2 floors: the upper floor worships Shakyamuni Buddha, Thirteen Arhat, Thai Thuong Lao Quan, and Bodhisattvas; The lower floor worships Thien Hau Nuong Nuong, Bach Hau Cong, Ong Than and Tien Co, and Tien Huu. The front yard of the temple worships Phuoc Duc Lao Ong, the statue of Buddha and Goddess of Mercy, along with scenes such as a lotus pond, Puta mountain, a bowl of lights, statues of dragons flying and dancing, a pair of unicorn pearls, and also a lake. It can be said that this is one of the landscapes of Soc Trang. The pagoda has a large campus, with many unique architectural styles, especially the image of "Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix” shown next to the mountain of Puta tower.
On the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the first lunar month, these days, the pagoda organizes a procession of lights, lanterns, and blessed cakes to bring good things to everyone, encouraging the spirit to work enthusiastically during the year. On the Vu Lan festival in the 7th lunar month every year, the pagoda organizes to give salt and white rice for poor families. With the spirit of "collecting from society, using for society", the Board of Directors regularly deducts money from charity incense to buy white rice to help the poor, sponsors the fund of gratitude houses, charity houses, funds for the poor, funds for poor smart students, and distribute to families of flood victims and poor bereaved families. Every year, the Board of Directors also supports the operating expenses of Duc Anh supplementary school on Mac Dinh Chi Street, Ward 4, Soc Trang city, and the welfare fund for teachers here….
It can be said that Arhat Pagoda is a beautiful spiritual destination and has a different beauty compared to other Khmer temples in the region. If you have the opportunity to travel to Soc Trang, remember to visit the pagoda to enjoy the scenery and take some commemorative photos.
One of the most special highlights of the Soc Trang Arhat Pagoda is the special design of the walls. Instead of traditional golden walls, the pagoda built solid and superficial stone walls. From a distance, the temple looks like a fairy castle in the middle of the peaceful Mekong Delta region.
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
From Soc Trang center:
Route 1:
Route 2:
Route 3:
If you do not have much time left, it is easy to check out spots in one full day by boat or with bike or with motorbike and car. But there are much more than tourist sites like these in Soc Trang. Make sure you have more time to feel and explore more about the hidden gems and the culture, food, night life, wildlife and forest as well. Top tip: Stay in a homestay nearby, so you have more chances to visit it and surroundings. If you are looking for the package Soc Trang daily tours with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of La Han Pagoda
Google Maps made a name for itself helping people travel from one place to another, avoid traffic (You probably know the route from your hotel to the gas station by heart, but what you can’t be sure about is gridlock), measure a distance, get back to the hotel on time, share the location…
6. Visit La Han Pagoda by yourself
Solo traveller? Travelling on your own means you will get out of any difficult situations by yourself. This, in turn, leads to more satisfying travel experiences and helps you improve your problem-solving skills. These days we rarely get the chance to sit with ourselves and simply be. That’s why you should consider the time you spend alone on your trip as a gift.
It is possible for solo travellers to use google maps and do it alone. But sometimes they need to update local maintained roads and bridges which close and lead you a longer road than the road from google maps. It is just about the time. It takes more time to find the correct garden to come. Adventure is always fun. Wifi is strong in Soc Trang village! The locals find it hard to speak English as well. Top tip: Sticking to one canal and keeping going along it which gives you more things to see and avoids getting lost. Contact vemekong.com to hire a car, scooter with English-speaking-guide or cycling tours in Soc Trang.
7. Responsible Travel and Advice to Visit La Han Pagoda
Don’t get us wrong. But we assure you that you totally agree with us. “Do not give candy and things to the children when you plan to visit any local villages”, the kids will leave the school and follow the sweets and later they find some things to give you or sell to you. The garden is a little forest, don’t pick and touch the flowers or fruits without the local’s smiles. We deal with traveling green and leaving green behind, not plastic. Top tip: Vemekong.com are some of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of La Han Pagoda (4k)
If a picture says a thousand words, it stands to reason that the video says many times more.
9. Incredible Tips for Photography, Specialists, KOLs, Media and Influencers
To get the best of the best for your unique writing, featuring, photo, video and insider’s stories. We do recommend you to have a local travel expert, the one who always gets more ground information and makes sure every single element is solved perfectly. Vemekong (very exclusive Mekong) team is your priority choice. Email and have a private talk with them to customize your journey smoothly, personal and the most ultimately amazing. You can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
10. Pro Tips
Soc Trang Khmer pagodas are solemn places, so you should choose beautiful clothes that are still polite and discreet. In the temple grounds, there are many animal statues such as elephants, snakes, etc. If you go with the children, please remind them not to climb because these are sacred symbols of the Khmer people.
The monks don’t ask for money, although donations won’t hurt.
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
If you plan to extend your tour to Soc Trang homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
When visiting the Soc Trang or doing any customized tours, choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets. Safety is a priority!
Soc Trang tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Bat pagoda, Chen Kieu (Bowl) pagoda, Dung islet, Ghe Ngo boat race festival, pink trumpet tree road, Clay pagoda (Chua Dat Set), Khleang pagoda, Nga Nam floating market, Phat Hoc 2 pagoda, Soc Trang central market, Soc Trang museum, Som Rong pagoda, popular and clean homestays and hotels in Soc Trang…
Soc Trang food & drink guide ranges from street food, authentic, fancy to fusion foods. As a tropical land of many fresh vegetables and homegrown gardens, which always make Soc Trang cuisines fresh, close to nature and very traditional. If you are a food lover, don’t hesitate to put other bites onto your food lists such as Cong Cake, Pia Cake, Bun Nuoc Leo Soc Trang’s Noodle Soup…
Bring the raincoat if you travel to Soc Trang in the rainy season, as Soc Trang always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Soc Trang, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Thank you
