Jade Emperor Pagoda

Being a real gem among Chinese temples, Jade Emperor Pagoda is a Taoist temple built by the Cantonese Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City during the 19~20th centuries.

With a 20-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market, you can get to the pagoda, a quiet oasis from the busy street outside. People often refer to this pagoda as one of the most beautiful and famous temples in Ho Chi Minh City. Dedicated to the supreme Taoism God, the Jade Emperor, this small lovely building is also known as the Tortoise Pagoda because a pond filled with turtles is located in the corner of the courtyard. Intricate carvings and tile work on the roof of the main building are quite worth a long look. Symbols of the divine can be seen anywhere and are colorful to be photogenic. Inside, the famous Jade Emperor statue sits surrounded by other worshiping figures. Legend has it that the emperor was the only one allowed to enter heaven when he declined the offer. An altar dedicated to Kim Hua, the goddess of fertility, is also popular with prayers. The Room of 10 Hells housing two demon guardians, is usually obscured by incense smoke and candles, piled fruit, and lucky money.

In the vicinity, it's easy to reach other tourist sites like Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, Thien Hau Pagoda, and War Remnants Museum.

Ho Chi Minh City is also well-connected with popular Asian destinations, such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Here's a 22-Day Explore Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Thailand for your reference.