Nam Nha Pagoda – Explore the unique architecture in Can Tho

Nam Nha Pagoda is a famous spiritual tourist destination in Can Tho. In addition, the temple is also famous for its elegant architectural beauty. It associated with many fascinating historical stories. This temple considered a sacred temple with a long-standing culture in Can Tho. If you are looking for a spiritual place, this pagoda is a meaningful attraction. When traveling to Can Tho to the land of Tay Do among many attractive attractions. Visitors cannot ignore an extremely meaningful spiritual tourist destination. Visitors come to the temple not only to worship and pray for peace, but also to admire the unique architecture. They also learn about the heroic history of the nation, which associated with the patriotic movement of Vietnamese scholars. The pagoda recognized as a revolutionary historical relic on January 25, 1991.

About Nam Nha Pagoda Can Tho

Nam Nha Pagoda is one of the famous beautiful pagodas in Can Tho. Because it has the ancient beauty of a temple that is more than 100 years old. According to the stone stele in the temple, this pagoda built in 1895. When the pagoda built, the temple grounds only had the entrance gate and the main hall.

The last items of the pagoda completed in 1923. It became the largest and most magnificent Buddhist temple at that time. During the construction process, this pagoda experienced many ups and downs during the war. And now the pagoda has become a famous revolutionary historical relic in Can Tho. Tourists coming to this pagoda will admire the beauty of the temple. Enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the temple will make you feel peaceful.

Where is Nam Nha Pagoda? Directions to this place

Nam Nha Pagoda is located at 612 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street in Bui Huu Nghia Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City. In front of the pagoda is the Binh Thuy river with the silhouettes of great trees. It’s opposite the majestic ancient Binh Thuy communal house. The pagoda is only about 6km from the center of Can Tho city. Visitors can reach the pagoda by river and by road very conveniently.

From the center of Can Tho City, you can easily travel by motorbike, bus or taxi. The temple open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. You can visit during these hours.

Visiting Nam Nha pagoda in Can Tho

The temple is associated with many historical periods

Initially, this place called Nam Nha Duong, which was originally a traditional medicine shop built by a student of Nguyen Giac Nguyen in 1895. He is a follower of the Master sect to worship the Three Religions (Buddhism, Taoism, Confucius). Therefore, the pagoda is also known as Minh Su Pagoda, another name is Buddha Temple. In the period 1907-1940, it was the shelter of the revolution. Nam Nha Pagoda is both a place of worship and the headquarters of the Dong Du movement (1907-1940) initiated by Phan Boi Chau.

During the resistance war against the French, this place nurture the patriotic movement, and produce patriotic and indomitable masters of the country against foreign invaders. During the difficult and arduous years of the revolution of Hau Giang, Southern Party Committee of Cochinchina chose this place as a contact point for revolutionary organizations in the whole region.

Nam Nha Pagoda encourage Buddhists about vegetarianism

Nam Nha Pagoda advocates vegetarianism but does not shave or wear brown cloth. During the war period, it was a gathering place for patriotic scholars with indomitable spirit to fight against enemy.

Visiting the temple is an opportunity for us to better understand a period of glorious resistance. Every year, the pagoda has major festivals such as: the full moon of January, the full moon of July, the full moon of October, and the Buddha’s day.

The architecture of Nam Nha pagoda – a unique combination of Eastern and Western religious architecture

Nam Nha Pagoda located in a spacious campus, surrounded by a large garden. The gate of the pagoda covered with bricks and tiles. On both sides of the column there is a parallel sentence, meaning to welcome good-hearted people to practice religion. But more deeply is to invite like-minded people to patriotism.

In the middle of the garden is a rockery placed in a brick water tank with many precious trees such as pine and cypress trees. These trees interwoven with precious ornamental plants, many years old, meticulously cut and bent to look very beautiful.

Landscape around the pagoda

Nam Nha Pagoda located in a spacious campus surrounded by a large garden with shady ancient trees, stretching to the banks of the Binh Thuy River. Including main items: Main hall, Dong Lang house and Tay Lang house. Surrounded by parks, embankments, gates, fences. Overall architecture, construction items balanced and solid, not only beautiful in architecture but also in harmony with the natural landscape.

Surrounding the pagoda is a yellow whitewashed fence with a brick and tiled entrance gate, with a three-character kanji as Nam Nha Duong. The landscape of the pagoda cover by lots of trees that has been grown hundred year ago. So, it make the space arround the pagoda become cool and comfortable. Coming to this place just once in your life, tourists will come back to this place the second times.

The meaning behind each ritual

On both sides of the gate, there are two parallel sentences with the first two characters being Nam and Nha and the meaning of Nam Nha Pagoda. The rituals in the temple also have the content of teaching both religion and life, evoking patriotism and national sentiment.

The temple yard paved with ship bricks. In the middle of the yard is a 2-meter-high rockery placed in a clear blue water tank built of dark red brick. There is a monument and many precious ornamental plants such as pine trees, old cypress trees, meticulously cared for to create a peaceful landscape. Furthermore, if you have chance to visit this pagoda, tourists do not forget to go to the behind of the pagoda to experience about the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. And if you have your smartphone or digital camera, do not forget to take some pictures with your friends and your family or selfie when you come alone.

The main hall

The pagoda decorated with very meticulous and elaborate motifs. The main color used for the outside of the main hall is yellow. The roof with yin and yang tiles in red color and on the top is the image of a two-dragon picture.

The main hall of Nam Nha Pagoda is a large majestic building located in the middle, called Dieu Tri Buu Dien. Consisting of 5 compartments, roofed with yin and yang tiles, there is a statue of two dragons in the picture. In particular, the façade of the main hall built in the style of Asian-European architecture combined in the early 20th century. With many different features from the traditional pagoda style in the South at that time. Overall, the main hall has both the national architecture of the Chinese people and the colors of the French architecture.

What’s interest things inside Nam Nha Pagoda

Inside the main hall of Nam Nha Pagoda, the central space decorated very solemnly where the altar of the three religions. They shows the philosophy of the three religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. They all teach people to live a good life and lead a good life towards truth and beauty. The opposite table is the place to worship Tran Dan Protector Bui Huu Sanh and poet Bui Huu Nghia. The table on the right is dedicated to Quan Thanh De Quan, Lich Dai Patriarch and the founder of the pagoda is Nguyen Giac Nguyen. On both sides of the electric money, there are two incense tables with tablets of the abbots. Coming to inside the main hall, sitting down infront of the statues of Buddha and praying the lucky things will come to your family.

Quan Thanh De Quan and Buddha statues

There is a special feature that from the outside of the main door of Nam Nha Pagoda. Looking at the left hand side of the altar of Quan Thanh De Quan is an altar on which a large mirror is placed. When tourists and locals come to chant and recite the Buddha’s name, they all kneel before this mirror. It is known that this mirror is used to remind believers to always reflect and reflect their true heart. On the other hand, it helps people standing with their backs turned out to detect strangers in time. It help alert at each closed meeting during the war anti-French period. We should come inside the main hall to pray and express the respect with the statues.

A place for learning and experience about spiritual value and ethic

Nam Nha Pagoda follows the Minh Su sect. So, it is also known as the Minh Su temple to worship the three religions: Buddha Shakyamuni, Confucius and Lao Tu, originated in China. It appeared in Can Tho around the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

The temple focuses on teaching Buddhists to cultivate their mind. It nurture their nature, live simply, “minimum desire, tri-sufficiency”, self-reliance in production to survive and develop. Until now, if visiting this pagoda on the occasion of a certain worshiping ceremony. Visitors still feel that simple lifestyle. Even though it crowded with people coming in and out, there’s always a quiet atmosphere.

What’s interest things behind the main hall

Behind the main hall is a long corridor, with 2 guest rooms. To the right and left of the Nam Nha Pagoda are two rows of tiled houses. Can Dao Duong (Dong Lang house) for men and Khon Dao Duong (Tay Lang house) for women. It connected to the kitchen.

The fruit garden in the back seems to add a green and fresh look to the temple, and the tombs of the founders and the monks make visitors feel like going back in time. past, full of emotions.

Notices when visiting

Here are some notices for visitors when visiting to Nam Nha Pagoda:

Remember that you must not make noise, don’t make a loud or disorderly sound. Because this is the holy place of Buddhist monks. They need quiet places to rest.
Do not littering or spit indiscriminately. You could eat and drink in front of the gate of the pagoda and wash your hands inside. Let’s keep the general hygiene!
Dress nicely. Do not forget that here is the spiritual destination
Take conscious, humane, non-offensive photography. Do not kill or catch any animal like birds or dogs. You shouldn’t cut or collect the flowers of the pagoda
Avoid taking photos with Buddha statues. You could take some photos but in moderation and respect the spiritual signatures of the pagoda.

Others tourist attractions near the pagoda

Nam Nha Pagoda is close to Binh Thuy communal house and Binh Thuy ancient house. So, you can easily visit. In addition, you can visit other famous spiritual temples and communal houses in Can Tho.

This pagoda is famous in the region not only for the beauty of its elegant architecture and tranquil surroundings. It also for being the site of quiet activities to promote awareness and intellectual development for the Vietnamese. The people who take care of the pagoda through each period still persevere day and night quietly and elaborately.

Throughout the process of living and practicing mindfulness. If you have the opportunity to travel to the West, stop by this pagoda in Can Tho. Read a few verses, think a few sentences, bow carefully before the spiritual values of a time!

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