Half Day Temples of the city (optional Lunch at the Mosque)

Along the history and due to invasions and settlements of other foreign nationals in the country Vietnam has been adopting and adapting cultural and religion influences that have survived through the years. This tour will take you to discover some samples of temples of the different religions that coexist in Vietnam.

Chinese inhabitants first established in Vietnam in the 2nd Century BC and although Vietnamese fought back Chinese have been coming back to the country for centuries so it is easy to understand their influence and their cultural legacy.

Tp. Hcm

Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the Jade Emperor Pagoda. This Pagoda was built by the Cantonese in the early XX Century and it is a pearl among the Chinese Temples of the city. Joss sticks, colorful pillars and exquisite woodcarvings filled the temple.

After seeing one of the Pagodas of the city we will continue to Notre Dame Cathedral. The Cathedral was built at the end of the 19th Century in neo-Romanesque style. The first Portuguese sailors arrived in the center of Vietnam in the early XVI century followed by some Dominican missionaries and from that point the Catholic Church started its great impact in Vietnam, specially after the settlement of the French in the mid 1800’s.

You will continue your excursion with a visit to the Saigon Central Mosque, sample of the Muslim influence. It was built by southern Indian Muslims and is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the bustling streets of Saigon. (Optional simple lunch at the Mosque can be included)

The visit will lead you next to see the Hindu Temple of Mariamman. Mariamman means mother.

In the 1st century AD Vietnam was a key port on the sea route that linked China with India, so Hindu influence started in Vietnam very early thanks to the trade between the other two countries.

Mariamman Hindu Temple: This temple was built in Southern Indian style and it is sacred not only for the little Indian community of Ho Chi Minh but also for some Vietnamese and ethnic Chinese. The Temple itself is said that this temple has miraculous powers.

After the tour transfer back to the hotel.