Saigon: The Cholon (Chinese) District and its’ Temples

#30 This is the most common "pic" taken of the heart of the Cholon District.

#31 This is the Cholon Central market. VN buy stuff here really cheaply and resell it in the Saigon central market (just 1.5 miles away) at a profit. Many VN are prejudice against Chinese and won't go near this place. When I went inside, Chinese appeared to be the predominant language.



For those of you who may not know - I am captivated by Buddhist and Daoist religions, their temples, deities, and especially old temple architecture. Many of you have seen, in my house the antique (125+ years old) teak Thai "spirit house" (miniature model of a Buddhist temple) and the Thai temple mementos I picked up while there - these (albeit they are now made of concrete) are still strategically placed on poles outside Thai homes so that the shadow of the house passes over them at least once a day <- bringing good luck and fortune to the home's inhabitants. Anyway, given my interest in Buddism and their temples, I visited several in Cholon ... #32 this is the pagoda part of Giac Lan Pagoda and Temple. It is said (but not believed by all) that this is the oldest Chinese built (in 1744) temple in Saigon. That's a status of the "female Buidda" I'm standing next to. Each floor of the pagoda has a shrine to different Chinese Buddhist deities.

#33 That's me next to the Big Guy himself!

#34 Interior pic of Giac Lam temple.


#35 Exterior of Nhi Phu Hoi Quan Cholon District - Built 1724 as 'club house'. Should note that "Hoi Quan" means "community house" - which in fact most Buddist temples are. So, many temples include this phrase/term in their names. Many believe that this should be known as the oldest Chinese temple in HCMC - but is not because it was originally built as a Hoi Quan. I could only get exterior shots of this temple - albeit I could go inside, some sort of ritual was in progress and I was not allowed to take pics. Too bad, because the interior was incredible!

The Tue Than Hoi Quan Temple in Cholon Dist was built in 1760 in honor/memory of one of the first young Chinese woman to settle in Saigon. Evidently she dedicated herself to Chinese immigrants and died very young. She is revered by the Chinese in Saigon.



#36 This exterior shot shows some of the incredible, exquisite original exterior glazed-relief tiles that adorn the temple.



#37 Pic of interior alter of Tue Than Hoi Quan Temple. All original.