With a history of over 300 years and typical Southern architecture, Tien Chau Pagoda brings a sense of tranquility and sacredness to anyone who sets foot here. This is an ideal stopover for tourists who want to find peace on their journey to explore the West of Vietnam.
Overview Tien Chau Pagoda
Tien Chau Pagoda is one of the most peaceful and beautiful stops on An Binh Islet, Vinh Long. The pagoda is located in the middle of the gentle river space of Co Chien River. The green scenery, mossy tiled roofs, and the sound of bells echoing on the water make this place ideal for those who want to find tranquility on their journey to explore the West.
The pagoda was formed in the 18th century, initially just a small hermitage worshiping Amitabha Buddha. Through many generations of abbots and restorations, Tien Chau Pagoda has become a large-scale spiritual work, bearing the mark of traditional Southern architecture. Entering the main hall, you will be impressed by the rows of famous wooden pillars, the sophisticated carved panels of the Eighteen Arhats and the extremely solemn clay statue of Amitabha Buddha.
An intriguing point is that the pagoda is associated with the legend of “fairies descending to earth” on Tien beach next to the river. This story has created a magical feature that any visitor can feel when visiting. The space in the pagoda always has a faint scent of incense, combined with the breeze blowing in from the river, creating a special feeling of relaxation that you can hardly find in other places.
From the center of Vinh Long, you just need to take a ferry for a few minutes to An Binh island and then walk a short distance to the pagoda. This place is open all day, the most ideal time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the sunlight is gentle, very suitable for taking pictures. Just slow down a little, you will fully feel the peaceful and ancient beauty of Tien Chau pagoda.
Read more: An Binh Island: Where time slows down
History of Tien Chau Pagoda
Tien Chau Pagoda has a history dating back to the mid-18th century and is considered one of the oldest pagodas in Vinh Long province. Initially, this place was just a small hermitage named Bai Tien Am built by monk Giac Nguyen to worship Amitabha Buddha. Nun Dieu Thien continued to rebuild and expand the hermitage after the monk’s passing, transforming it into Bai Tien Pagoda.
In 1858, under the reign of monk Huynh Duc Hoi, the pagoda was rebuilt on a larger scale and renamed Tien Chau Di Da Tu. During its existence, Tien Chau Pagoda has undergone many restorations, most notably the major restoration in 1899 that helped complete the pagoda’s architecture as it is today.
Thanks to its special historical, architectural and cultural values, the pagoda was recognized as a national historical-cultural relic in 1994. To this day, the pagoda still retains its ancient and sacred appearance, becoming a long-standing cultural symbol of the Vinh Long river region.
Architectural beauty and artistic details
The architecture of Tien Chau Pagoda bears the traditional imprint of the South, harmonizing the antiquity and open space of the river region. The overall layout of the pagoda features a combination of internal public and external foreign styles, which includes the front hall, middle hall, main hall, and back hall that are all interconnected. The yin-yang tiles covering the pagoda roof create a quiet, soft beauty in the sunlight and wind of the Co Chien River. The spacious and airy space of the pagoda helps visitors feel the peace as soon as they step through the three-entrance gate.
One of the most prominent features of the pagoda is the system of nearly one hundred precious wooden pillars used to support the entire structure. The pillars are made from famous woods such as Cam Xe and Go Do, which are both sturdy and have high aesthetic value. The surface of these wooden pillars retains the color of time, exuding a rustic but very sturdy beauty, demonstrating the sophisticated construction techniques of the ancients.
Entering the main hall, visitors will feel the art of traditional carving and creation. In the center of the main hall is a large statue of Amitabha Buddha made of clay—a unique material rarely seen in modern temples. The statue has a gentle face and soft lines, creating a solemn yet intimate feeling. Surrounding it is a set of panels carved with Eighteen Arhats, each depicting an Arhat with a different expression, sophisticated and vivid as if telling a spiritual story in images.
In addition, the temple possesses many horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences and wood carvings from the 19th century. The winding lines of Han Nom calligraphy, combined with the ancient gilded color, create special artistic value. Every decorative detail in the temple bears the mark of the hands of ancient artisans, showing the harmonious combination of folk art and Buddhist spirit.
The area around the temple also adds to its beauty. The temple yard is large, surrounded by green trees and the wind blowing in from the river brings coolness year round. Thanks to its location on An Binh island, the pagoda has a unique feature that few other places have: the The harmony between ancient architecture and the peaceful natural landscape allows visitors to fully appreciate the sacred yet intimate beauty of Tien Chau Pagoda.
Spiritual meaning and worship practices
Tien Chau Pagoda is not only famous for its ancient beauty but also for its profound spiritual value that has followed the people of Vinh Long for more than three centuries. Visitors often come here to pray for peace and luck, and to find a sense of tranquility amidst the bustle of life. The main hall space with the majestic Amitabha Buddha statue brings a sense of gentleness, helping visitors clearly feel the serenity in their hearts.
Besides its worship value, the pagoda is also the center of religious activities in the local community. On full moon days or big holidays, such as Vu Lan, the atmosphere in Tien Chau pagoda becomes warm and solemn, where people and visitors together burn incense, listen to sutras, and seek the humanistic moral values of Buddhism. These activities are not only religious but also create a unique cultural beauty of the West.
Interestingly, Tien Chau Pagoda is also associated with the legend of “Fairy Beach,” so the space here always has a mystical and pure nuance. Many visitors say they feel a special source of peaceful energy when standing in front of the wind from the Co Chien River blowing into the temple yard. The combination of legend, landscape, and belief makes Tien Chau Pagoda an ideal stopover for those who want to both visit and find balance in their souls.
What to see around Tien Chau Pagoda
Around Tien Chau Pagoda, there are several places that are very popular with tourists to visit and experience the culture of the people of the West.
Vinh Sang Tourist Area
Just a short distance from Tien Chau Pagoda, Vinh Sang Tourist Area is a “green oasis” in the West with cool canals and fruit gardens full of fruits such as rambutan, star apple, plum, etc. The address of the tourist area is Group 14, An Thuan Hamlet, Cu Lao An Binh, Long Ho District, Vinh Long Province. The entrance fee is about 50,000 VND for adults and 35,000 VND for children under 1.3 meters. Visitors can also experience intriguing games such as ostrich riding (~30,000 VND/ticket), grass sliding (~30,000 VND/2 guests/trip) or picking fruit in the garden (~60,000 VND/guest). In addition, the tourist area also rents out a set of Ao Ba for taking photos for about 40,000 VND/set, providing a relaxing experience while preserving beautiful photos during the journey to explore the West.
An Binh Island Garden
Tien Chau Pagoda, located on An Binh Island, offers visitors a unique garden experience in Vinh Long. Visitors can explore fruit gardens full of fruits such as rambutan, longan, oranges, and tangerines or participate in unique river activities such as catching fish in ditches, rowing boats, and fishing. The general address of the island is An Binh commune, Long Ho district, Vinh Long province. Most sightseeing activities here are either free or have a small fee, This varies depending on the service chosen, such as renting a boat or a fishing net. In addition, on the island there are also traditional craft villages, such as those that make folk cakes or coconut candy, where visitors can buy fresh products as gifts at affordable prices. Early morning or late afternoon is the ideal time to explore and experience the garden, avoiding the harsh midday sun.
Tra On Floating Market
Not far from Tien Chau Pagoda, Tra On Floating Market is an intriguing stop to experience the life of the Mekong Delta river. The floating market is bustling with boats selling garden fruits, such as rambutan, mango, mangosteen, grapefruit, and other agricultural products. The market is located in Luc Si Thanh Commune, Tra On District, Vinh Long Province. Entrance fees are about 20,000 to 50,000 VND/person, depending on the type of boat around the market. Visitors can also enjoy specialties right on small boats, experiencing the cuisine and discovering the unique trading culture of the people of the river. The best time to visit is early morning, around 5:00-6:00, when the market is bustling and boats are crowded.
Visitor guide and etiquette
To get to Tien Chau Pagoda, you can start from the center of Vinh Long, take a motorbike or taxi to Cai Bong ferry, then take the ferry to An Binh island. From the ferry, walk a few dozen meters to reach the temple gate. The trip on the river is an intriguing experience, both admiring the green garden scenery and feeling the simple life of the people in the West.
To make the tour complete, you should go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the harsh sunlight, bring a hat, drink water, and prepare a camera to capture beautiful moments. A day at Tien Chau Pagoda and An Binh Islet will be an experience that combines culture, spirituality, and nature, helping foreign visitors understand more deeply about the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.
Read more: Bao Vinh Ancient Town, where history alive
Best time to visit Tien Chau Pagoda
The best time to visit Tien Chau Pagoda is in the morning or afternoon, when the air is fresh and the natural light is at its best. In the morning, from about 7:00 to 10:00, the gentle sunlight shines down on the ancient tiled roof, creating the perfect conditions for taking photos and enjoying the serenity of the pagoda space. In the afternoon, from 15:00 to 17:00, the brilliant sunset shines on the architectural works, creating a magical and peaceful scene. Visitors should avoid the harsh noon sun for a more comfortable and pleasant experience.
Tien Chau Pagoda is open to visitors free of charge. If you want to experience more activities around the pagoda, such as visiting the garden or playing games at Vinh Sang Tourist Area, the ticket price ranges from about 35,000 to 60,000 VND per person, depending on the type of service you choose. The experience is an opportunity to explore the culture of the West of Vietnam while relaxing in a cool, green natural space.
Lily’s Travel has many tours to explore the Mekong Delta today that include Tien Chau Pagoda in the schedule, especially the routes to visit An Binh – Vinh Long. Visitors can choose a half-day or 1 day tour that combines visiting the pagoda, visiting the fruit garden, taking a boat and experiencing the garden life.
In addition, 2 day 1 night tours are also very popular, allowing you to sleep in a homestay on the island, enjoy local cuisine and visit Tien Chau Pagoda in the morning in a peaceful atmosphere. This is an ideal choice for those who want to combine a spiritual journey with experiencing the typical Mekong Delta river culture.
