Quan Am Temple, Saigon/HoChiMinh City

The Quan Am Temple is located in the predominantly Chinese, Cho Lon area of Ho Chi Minh City. It is dedicated to Quan Am the Chinese Goddess of mercy.

Chinese traders and Vietnamese merchants raised funds and constructed the Quan Am Temple in 1816. It was expanded by funds raised by a congregation from the Chinese Fujian province. From the date of construction, it has remained one of the most frequented temples by Chinese and Vietnamese worshippers and contains both Taoist and Buddhist objects of worship.

Visitors and worshippers enter the pagoda through a red traditional gate. There is a small courtyard between the gate and the temple complex. There are relief panels at both ends depicting Buddhist motifs. The central altar is dedicated to Ngoc Huang or the Jade Emperor. Other altars are of the Amitabha Buddha and three Bodhisattvas. Inside the Pagoda, the main altar is that of the Goddess of the sea, Thien Hau. Beyond the altar the main deity is located in a partially covered courtyard. The Chinese Quan Am statue is flanked by two smaller figures. There are many other altars dedicated to figures from Buddhist and Taoist legends and wooden figures of Arhats or Buddhist holy men. On the other side of the street is a garden that forms part of the temple complex with an artificial pond surrounded by relief panels depicting Taoist motifs.