Khmer pagodas in Soc Trang – Top pagodas you must visit

List of Khmer pagodas in Soc Trang that you must definitely visit

If you have the chance to visit Soc Trang, exploring the unique Khmer and Chinese temples is a must to understand the cultural and spiritual spaces of the local communities. These temples not only showcase the rich cultural traditions of the indigenous residents but also provide insights into the spiritual life of the region.

Soc Trang is one of the fascinating tourist destinations in the Mekong Delta region of Southern Vietnam. Here, you can immerse yourself in the cultural and religious spaces of the local indigenous communities by participating in traditional festivals and visiting Khmer pagodas in Soc Trang.

Som Rong Pagoda – The most famous pagoda in Soc Trang

Som Rong Pagoda, also known as Botum Vong Sa Som Rong, is located at 367 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ward 5, Soc Trang City. It is named after the surrounding Som Rong trees, a type of flowering tree known as Botum. The pagoda was first built in 1785 using temporary materials like bamboo and leaves, and has undergone renovations to its current splendid state under the supervision of 12 abbots. Covering an area of 5 hectares, Som Rong Pagoda comprises four main areas: the main hall, a pavilion, living quarters for monks, and a library housing over 1,500 sacred texts. It is also the only pagoda in Soc Trang with a colossal reclining Buddha statue, construction of which began in 2017.

Similar to other Khmer Buddhist pagodas in Soc Trang, the entrance of Som Rong Pagoda features colorful and eye-catching architectural elements. Outside the pagoda, there are decorations such as Naga serpents, goddess Keynor, celestial bird Krud, and guardian deity Yeak, all representing traditional Khmer cultural motifs. Inside the main hall of Som Rong Pagoda, the walls and ceilings are adorned with murals depicting the life of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni. Of particular note in the main hall is a pair of ancient standing Buddha statues carved from wood, dating back to the establishment of the pagoda. 

The most remarkable feature within Som Rong Pagoda’s grounds is the reclining Buddha statue, measuring 63 meters in length and 22.5 meters in height, placed approximately 28 meters above the ground. Additionally, the pagoda is renowned for its four-door, four-path stupa symbolizing compassion, loving-kindness, sympathetic joy, and equanimity from Buddhist teachings. Adorned with Naga serpent motifs and a distinctive gray paint, the stupa is a popular attraction for pilgrims and tourists alike, drawing visitors for photography and spiritual contemplation.

Sa Lon Pagoda (Chen Kieu pagoda)

Sa Lon Pagoda (or Chen Kieu pagoda) is one of the well-known pagodas in Soc Trang. Located along National Highway 1A, passing through Dai Tam commune, My Xuyen district, the original Sa Lon Pagoda was built with simple materials. It wasn’t until 1969 that it was rebuilt and completed with a main hall, pavilion, and stupa as it appears today.

In contrast to the vibrant gold often seen in many pagodas in Soc Trang, Sa Lon Pagoda stands out with its colorful decorations of purple, green, red, pink, orange, and more, made from local Khmer ceramic and porcelain ware. Using these materials not only reduced construction costs but also created unique and impressive highlights that attract pilgrims and tourists alike from near and far. It’s for this reason that the pagoda is also known as “Chua Chen Kieu” (Porcelain Bowl Pagoda).

Bat Pagoda (Ma Toc Pagoda)

Bat Pagoda, also known as Ma Toc Pagoda, is located at 73B Le Hong Phong Street, Ward 3, approximately 2km from the center of Soc Trang City. It is one of the oldest pagodas in Soc Trang, built by the Khmer community over 440 years ago. The main architecture of Bat Pagoda includes the main hall, pavilion, assembly hall, living quarters for monks and abbots, as well as ash towers and guest rooms, all situated within a spacious 4-hectare compound surrounded by ancient trees.

Particularly unique to this unparalleled pagoda in Soc Trang are the thousands of bats hanging upside down from tall trees and a special cemetery reserved for five-toed pigs, which arouses the curiosity of many tourists and pilgrims alike.

Kh’leang Pagoda

Kh’leang Pagoda is one of the ancient pagodas in Soc Trang, built in the mid-16th century, making it nearly 500 years old. The pagoda is located at 71, Ward 6, approximately 1km from the city center of Soc Trang. Initially constructed with simple leaf materials, Kh’leang Pagoda was later renovated with brick and tile. In 1918, the main hall and pavilion of the pagoda were rebuilt, giving it the architectural form seen today.

The main architecture of Kh’leang Pagoda includes the main hall, pavilion, monk’s quarters, assembly hall, harmoniously arranged on elevated ground. Compared to many Khmer community pagodas in Soc Trang, Kh’leang Pagoda retains its ancient Khmer architectural style, valued for its artistic and aesthetic qualities. Moreover, the pagoda harmoniously blends decorative motifs of the Kinh people with symbols like carp and phoenix from Chinese culture. This reflects the cultural and artistic intersection among the three ethnic groups—Khmer, Kinh, and Chinese—over the long history of settlement in Soc Trang.

Ong Bon Pagoda Soc Trang (Hoa An Assembly Hall)

Ong Bon Pagoda is one of the Chinese temples in Soc Trang, built by the Chinese community in 1875. Situated at 9 Nguyen Van Troi Street, right in the center of Soc Trang City, it is dedicated to worshiping Ong Bon, a military general during the Song dynasty. The pagoda, nearly 150 years old, follows the architectural style typical of Chinese temples, characterized by a Phuc-shaped layout.

Entering the pagoda, you’ll immediately notice distinct Chinese architectural features such as high-hanging red lanterns, yin-yang roof tiles, twin dragons flanking the crescent moon on the temple’s roof, and horizontal inscriptions in Han characters adorning from the front hall to the main hall. The main hall of Ong Bon Pagoda is dedicated to Cam Thien Dai De, a revered deity in Chinese belief. On both sides are altars for Ong Phuoc Duc and Thien Hau Thanh Mau, along with statues of Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and various other deities.

Khmer pagodas in Soc Trang showcase distinctive architectural styles reflecting the Khmer and Chinese communities coexisting in this region. When visiting Soc Trang, exploring these ancient temples and learning about their traditional beliefs is an essential part of your travel itinerary.