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18/04/2025
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Guandi Temple is one of the best temples in Ho Chi Minh City for tourists to visit and glimpse into the spiritual aspect of Vietnamese culture. Located in Chinatown, it is also recognized as an architectural and artistic relic. If you are looking for a place to get to know more about Vietnam, Guandi Temple is definitely worth seeing.
1. Where is Guandi Temple? Who does the temple worship?
Guandi Temple is located at No. 676, Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City. It is dedicated to three gods: Quan Cong, Thien Hau Nguyen Quan, and Tai Bach Tinh Quan.
- Quan Cong: Quan Cong, also referred to as Quan Vu, was a general in the Three Kingdoms period. Deified in folk tales, art forms, and movies, he is one of the most well-known historical figures in East Asia. People see him as a symbol of chivalry, magnanimity, and loyalty, who fought against evil to protect the oppressed.
- Thien Hau Nguyen Quan: Thien Hau is a widely-worshiped Chinese figure. She is believed to bestow blessings and prosperity, as well as provide security and guardianship of babies.
- Tai Bach Tinh Quan: Commonly called Than Tai, Tai Bach Tinh Quan is considered the God of Fortune or the God of Wealth. People believe that he brings money and luck, and he helps them maintain prosperity.
The statues of these three gods are displayed in the temple’s main hall. Quan Cong is in the middle, Thien Hau Nguyen Quan is on the left, and Tai Bach Tinh Quan is on the right.
People come to Guandi Temple to worship three gods (Source: Collected)
2. Things to know about the names and history of Guandi Temple
Guandi Temple goes by many names, such as Nghia An Assembly Hall, Quan De Temple, and Ong Pagoda. These names changed in the course of history.
Originally, Guandi Temple was a gathering place for the Chaozhou people who lived in Vietnam. So, it was called Nghia An Assembly Hall.
When people started worshiping Quan Cong, also known as Quan De, the name changed to Quan De Temple.
Today, many Vietnamese people refer to Guandi Temple as Ong Pagoda, as it is the local way of calling shrines and assembly halls of Chinese origin.
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3. What are the highlights of your trip to Guandi Temple?
Visiting Guandi Temple should definitely be on your list of things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. There is a lot to explore at this place of worship. After all, it is one of the most famous ancient Ho Chi Minh City tourist attractions.
Learn more about Chaozhou architecture and the local culture at Guandi Temple (Source: Collected)
3.1. Explore the unique architecture in Chaozhou style
Guandi Temple has undergone many restorations, with the first in 1866 and the most recent in 1984. Yet, it continues to preserve the unique Chaozhou architecture.
From afar, a colorful roof with three layers will catch your attention. The highest layer protrudes in the middle, and on top is a big red pearl between two dragon statues. The temple’s overall structure forms the word “Quoc” or “Kuu,” which is uniquely symmetrical and believed to circulate good energy.
At the entrance, you will be greeted by five pairs of stone unicorns and an embossed signboard created in 1903. There are also delicate carvings of Chinese characters and six bamboo pictures on the front walls.
Further inside, you will find a courtyard spanning 2,000 square meters, a skylight area, a front hall, and a main hall.
In the center, there is an incense burner. It features the words “Quan Thanh De Quan” and is accompanied by two Vietnamese unicorn heads on the sides. Here, people often light three incense sticks and pray for good things.
The main hall displays the statues of Quan Cong, Thien Hau Nguyen Quan, and Tai Bach Tinh Quan. This is where people worship the gods.
Explore the different parts of Guandi Temple to discover exquisite details (Source: Collected)
3.2. Admire the impressive shrine inside the temple
In the shrine, you will see Quan Cong on a throne in the middle. The statue, made of plaster, is 3 meters tall, placed in an altar with intricately carved pines, apricots, birds, etc.
On the altar’s sides are the statues of Quan Binh and Chau Xuong. Both are 2 meters tall and enclosed in a glass cabinet.
The left side of the shrine is for Thien Hau Nguyen Quan and the right is for Tai Bach Tinh Quan. They are both represented by a wooden statue of about 60 centimeters tall. Their altars share similar decorative carvings as those in Chinese temples.
Looking around, you will also find tall wooden columns with hanging couplets, inverted flowers, porcelain motifs, and ceramic statues. They all make the place more sacred.
The intricate interior of Guandi Temple (Source: Collected)
3.3. Learn about local culture and popular activities at the temple
Guandi Temple holds several ceremonies for the three gods each year. The biggest one is for Quan Cong on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month and on the full moon day of the first lunar month.
Additionally, many people visit the temple during special occasions, such as the Day of the White Tiger, the Lunar New Year (Tet Holiday), and the Day of the God of Wealth.
If you come to the temple during Lunar New Year, you can watch Chinese opera and engage in other exciting activities like lamp fighting and fortune telling.
Moreover, it is a custom to head over to the statue of the Red Hare and go under it three times, jingling the bell as you do so. It will erase all the bad luck and fill your year with fortune!
The activities at Guandi Temple (Source: Collected)
3.4. Visit some famous temples nearby
After exploring Guandi Temple, you should consider visiting other temples close by, such as Ong Bon Pagoda, Ba Thien Hau Temple, and Hai Nam Tin Hau Temple.
- Ong Bon Pagoda: This pagoda lies on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street nearby. Also called Nhi Phu Temple, it spans roughly 2,500 square meters. People come here to worship Ong Bau Dau Cong or Phuc Duc Chinh Than, the god that protects the land and people.
- Ba Thien Hau Temple: Located on Nguyen Trai street, this temple is just a short walk away from Guandi Temple. It was built all the way back in 1760 and remains as one of the most famous temples in Ho Chi Minh City today. Here, you can write your wishes down on a strip of paper and hang it up with a ring of incense.
- Hai Nam Tin Hau Temple: Located on Tran Hung Dao Street, this place of worship is among the most interesting places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City. It is dedicated to Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea. The temple shows both spiritual and cultural values of the Chinese people.
From Guandi Temple, you can also visit other popular temples nearby (Source: Collected)
With its spiritual, cultural, historical, architectural, and artistic values, Guandi Temple is a must-visit temple in Ho Chi Minh City. You can come here to pray, relish in the holy atmosphere, and gain insights into Vietnamese culture. Add it to your itinerary with other destinations in Vietnam to have an unforgettable trip!
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