Phuoc Dien Pagoda – Hang Pagoda – An Giang Hidden Gems
An Giang is famous as a pure "sacred land" with ancient temples imbued with many architectural and folklore beauties. In which, Hang Pagoda is one of the extremely sacred temples that attracts many visitors from all over the world to come here to enjoy and pilgrimage to pray for happiness and luck.
Discovering the hidden cave at Phuoc Dien pagoda (Hang Pagoda) in Chau Doc is a rewarding experience—but without a local guide, this secret gem is easy to miss. Let the journey reveal what few travelers ever find.
By Thomas Vietnam at vemekong.com | Official Chau Doc Visitor Guide
1. Better to Know as a Tourist
Ticket: Free
Spend-time: A half hour (approx)
Hours: Dawn – dusk
Food: Yes
Shop: Yes
Parking lot: Yes
Blog: /phuoc-dien-pagoda-hang-pagoda-chau-doc/
Address: Vinh Te commune, Nui sam ward, Chau Doc city, An Giang province.
Added values: Finding Hang Pagoda is finding a peaceful place, dispelling all fatigue and worries of life. This is also an opportunity for visitors to both go to the temple to pray for peace for the family and to admire the magnificent and splendid art works of An Giang land.
Nearby attractions and hidden gems: Looking for places to stop on your way to and from Hang Pagoda? Or maybe you found it too crowded here? We've got some ideas! Check out our list: Tra Su Cajuput Forest (25km), Sam Mountain (4Km), Cam Mountain – Forbidden Mountain (38 km), Chau Doc Floating Market (12 km), 30 Thang 4 Park in Chau Doc (10 km)…
2. Travel Guide to Hang Pagoda
Hang Pagoda is a familiar name that people give to one of the famous temples of Chau Doc - An Giang which is Phuoc Dien pagoda. Phuoc is a blessing, filling is a field (land), the name Phuoc Dien can simply be understood as a land to cultivate blessings. The temple has been recognized as a National Historical - Cultural Relic, located on the slopes of Sam mountain near the cluster of relics of Ba Chua Xu Temple, Tay An Pagoda and Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb. Traveling to An Giang, visiting Hang Pagoda, you will be like going through the door opening a new world to get rid of all the dust and dust problems, and immerse yourself in the fresh, peaceful and mellow atmosphere like a fairy tale place.
Hang Pagoda is not only famous for its captivating scenery, but it is also associated with many thrilling anecdotes and legends. The pagoda was formed around 1840 - 1850, originally as a bamboo and leaf temple, created by Mrs. Tho, whose real name is Le Thi Tho (1818-1899), legal name Dieu Thien, a tailor in Cho Lon. as a place of practice, at a young age.
According to the story, Mrs. Tho also had a family before, but because her husband's family was too strict, she got discouraged and fled to Sam mountain, went to Tay An pagoda to cut her hair and become a monk while taking medicine and ringing the doorbell and hope to end the predestined career soon.
After spending time at Tay An pagoda, she realized that this was not the right place for her because many people frequented and watched by local authorities. Therefore, in 1950, she left Xi'an to find another place to practice, hoping for a peaceful place. On the way, she found a cave about 1km from Tay An pagoda, immediately set up a monastery, which is the original origin of today's Chau Doc Hang Pagoda.
According to anecdotes, next to the am tu there is a deep mountain cave, with a pair of unusually large snakes in the cave. But since she came to practice, the pair of snakes were no longer fierce, but often came to lie down and listen to sutras. Gradually, the pair of snakes were tamed, often coming to eat vegetarian food, watch out for wild animals and crooks, and protect Ms. Tho's religious place. She named them Thanh Xa, White Snake and after her death, the pair of snakes also suddenly disappeared.
Since ancient times, this mountainous land has been associated with many legends, from white tigers to three-legged tigers and giant snakes. But any beast, no matter how aggressive, when hearing the sound of sutras, will be tamed, only evil with bad people, defending the cultivators, the honest people.
Therefore, the oral story about the pair of snakes associated with this nun is like an admonition about punishing the wicked and saving the good. People around here all know the legend of Chau Doc Hang Pagoda by heart. Every time a tourist passes by, sitting by the lotus lake, the corridor of the temple is more interesting to hear.
In 1885, thanks to the virtue of female nun Dieu Thien, he said Thong (Nguyen Ngoc Cang) in Chau Doc and the people around the area donated their own money and rebuilt the pagoda: the floor was tiled with Chinese bricks, and the poles were made of mahogany. cars, wooden rafters, roof tiles... In 1937, the Most Venerable Thich Hue Thien (1904 - 1990) upgraded the pagoda for the second time. Today, in the life of the third abbot - Most Venerable Thich Thien Chon, the pagoda is in the process of being completed…
3. What to Do –See – Eat at Hang Pagoda
THE 12 BEST Chau Doc Unique Daily Tours (from $27)
Tra Su Forest Tour from Chau Doc 8am-12noon or 2pm-6pm
TOP PICK with local secret roads and hidden cave in Phuoc Dien Pagoda Chau Doc Loop Tour With Thomas 1 day (boat+forest, river, floating fish farm, sit on the back of scooter, rice fileds, farm, canals, mountain, hidden village, fun, fullest, unique and more)
Tra Su Forest & Chau Doc River Tour
Chau Doc River Tour & Small Canal
Chau Doc Tra Su Forest & Drop off in Can Tho
Chau Doc Tra Su Forest & Drop off in Ha Tien
Chau Doc motorbike Countryside Tour & Sunset Sam Mountain and hidden cave of Phuoc Dien pagoda
Chau Doc Countryside Cycling Tour & Rice Fields (Morning or Afternoon tour)
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559
hello@vemekong.com
Located on the slopes of Sam mountain, Hang Pagoda gives visitors a wonderful feeling. A very charming space but equally sacred. This one-hundred-year-old temple has an extremely open view and a quiet, solemn space.
Hang Pagoda is surrounded by deep green forests of majestic mountains, many species of trees bloom in season to color the whole area, bringing a poetic picture to Hang Pagoda.
To visit and worship Buddha at the temple, visitors must follow the steps built of stone blocks, quite steep, slightly standing but very easy to go. The length of the road is enough for people to take a breath, then stop, breathe in the fresh air, look up at the towering pagoda or admire the vast, immense plain to help visitors forget their tired footsteps. but continue the journey.
The unique feature of the temple is not only in its nostalgic and contemplative architecture, but also in its standing position. The pagoda is divided into several floors along the open-air bridge next to the mountain with steep, craggy cliffs. The pagoda was built according to that cliff like a giant bas-relief carved meticulously.
In the garden of Hang Chau Doc pagoda, there is a large water lily pond, surrounded by many kinds of flowers to create a fresh green space, mixed with white, red and yellow flowers. From the garden of the temple, tourists of Hang Pagoda also have the opportunity to admire the picture of the peaceful countryside of An Giang.
The temple has a shrine to worship the statue of Buddha Di Lac, the statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and 4 dharma protectors standing looking at the foot of the mountain. In front of the temple, there are two colorful, harmonious, elaborately carved stupas, standing majestically on the mountainside. The two stupas are also the places to worship the two monks who have the greatest merit in the formation of Hang Chau Doc pagoda, Mrs. Tho and monk Thich Hue Thien.
The lower stupa is the place to worship monk Thich Hue Thien, while the upper tower is the place to worship the female shaman Dieu Thien, or Mrs. The pagoda also has a work that people dedicate to remembering Phan Thong, who has donated money to build the temple for the first time after Ms. Dieu Thien passed away.
The main hall of Hang Chau Doc Pagoda is not too big but very majestic and decorated with impressive artistic reliefs. The main hall is the place to worship Shakyamuni Buddha and a number of gods. Prominent in front of the pagoda is a banner with a height of up to 20m and mascot statues.
Under the temple steps are two rather vivid cement lion statues. On the left side of the pagoda is the Tay Lang, on the right is the newly built Dong Lang. Going through the main hall to the temple grounds, visitors will find a small temple located in the cave. The name Hang pagoda that people here give Phuoc Dien self probably comes from this very unique architectural feature.
Inside the cave, lying on both sides of the shrine are two large snake statues of Thanh Xa and Bach Xa with their eyes lit up with lamps, making the space tinged with spirituality and adding a mysterious impression to visitors. In addition to the worship halls, the temple also has other works for tourists to rest or as a place to study and live for monks.
4. Free Itineraries from VeMekong
As a local travel expert, we have some ideas for you to think about.
THE 12 BEST Chau Doc Unique Daily Tours (from $27)
Tra Su Forest Tour from Chau Doc 8am-12noon or 2pm-6pm
TOP PICK with local secret roads and hidden cave in Phuoc Dien Pagoda Chau Doc Loop Tour With Thomas 1 day (boat+forest, river, floating fish farm, sit on the back of scooter, rice fileds, farm, canals, mountain, hidden village, fun, fullest, unique and more)
Tra Su Forest & Chau Doc River Tour
Chau Doc River Tour & Small Canal
Chau Doc Tra Su Forest & Drop off in Can Tho
Chau Doc Tra Su Forest & Drop off in Ha Tien
Chau Doc motorbike Countryside Tour & Sunset Sam Mountain and hidden cave of Phuoc Dien pagoda
Chau Doc Countryside Cycling Tour & Rice Fields (Morning or Afternoon tour)
Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559
hello@vemekong.com
From Chau Doc city 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 An Giang. 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 An Giang day tour with local, you can contact www.vemekong.com or Hotline/WhatsApp/WeChat/Zalo +84939888559; email: hello@vemekong.com
5. Google Maps of Hang 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 Phuoc Dien 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 An Giang 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 An Giang
7. Responsible Travel and Advice Hang 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:Can Tho River Tour and Vemekong.com are some of the companies that care a lot about responsible travel and local respectation.
8. Amazing Video flycam/drone of Phuoc Dien 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. The 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
Best time to visit Chau Doc floating market, Long Xuyen floating market is from 5:30am-6:30am. I hope you have an amazing sunrise on the Mekong Delta river.
You can stay in a homestay which is near the floating market, this will help you out the best option. Then you can hire a scooter, car or bike and explore it by yourself, but you still need to hire a boat for the floating market tour.
If you plan to extend your travel to Chau Doc homestay, do not forget to bring mosquito repellent cream.
Visit Chau Doc or do any customized tours, please choose reputable providers with boat trips equipped with lifebuoys, jackets, motorcycle and cycling tours with the helmets and. Safety is a priority! Choose Chau Doc responsible tours which help you give back while traveling. It’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Chau Doc 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 Chau Doc 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 Bun Ca Chau Doc (the soft noodle is cooked with fish), Banh bo cake of Chau Doc, Sugar palm fruit, Caramelized and Braised Catfish, Grilled Rice-field Rat with Salt and Chili, Long Xuyen Broken Rice, Nui Cam Pancake, O Thum’s Chicken Grilled with Lime Leaves, Sour Soup with Siamese Mud Carp Soup & Sesbania Flower, Stir-fried Shrimp with Sesbania Flower, Phu Huong Beef Noodle Soup, Basa Fish Hotpot, Mam (Fermented Fish)…
Bring your hat, sunglasses, and sunblock, scarf to wear when visiting temples, pagodas, and the cathedral.
Bring the raincoat if you’re planning a trip to Chau Doc in the rainy season, as Chau Doc always looks fantastic in the full rain and full sun.
Chau Doc tourist attractions are magnificent itself, but if you have enough time, don’t forget to put other places onto your bucket lists such as Tra Su Cajuput forest & Birdwatching, Chau Doc Floating Village, Fish Farm & Cham Minority Village, Chau Doc floating market & small canal, Sam mountain, Tuc Dup hill, Chau Doc river tour, Chau Doc cycling tour, Chau Doc photography tour, Ta Pa Rice Fields, Vinh Te Canal, Seven-Mountain Ox Racing Festival, Tay An Pagoda, Chau Doc Market, The Lady Temple – The Ba Chua Xu Temple, Phuoc Dien Pagoda – Hang Pagoda, Thoai Ngoc Hau Tomb,
Hopefully, the above tips will help you to come up with a great plan for your adventure in Chau Doc, An Giang province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Have a safe trip!
“Sleep less, travel more, respect more” – Thomas Vietnam – Local travel expert.
Thank you
