Explore Vam Ray - The 600-Year-Old Khmer Pagoda In Tra Vinh

Vam Ray is known as the largest Theravada Buddhist temple in Vietnam. According to some research, the pagoda has been with the Southwest region for more than 600 years with a long length of history. With this, it appears with an ancient beauty tinged with time. Besides, this place also carries in itself many mysterious spiritual stories.

With cool and temperate weather all year round, Vam Ray Pagoda always opens its doors to welcome visitors and young tourists. Vam Ray Pagoda contains the Angkor architectural style – a characteristic architectural style of the pagoda. The pagoda has 4 gates in which the main gate looks forward to the east the same as the Khmer pagodas of the Mekong River Delta.

Currently, Vam Ray Pagoda is considered one of the most beautiful and largest of the Khmer pagodas in Tra Vinh. Photo: Henry Duong

From the outside looking in, the pagoda looks like a magnificent palace. The brilliant gold paint color combined with the eye-catching traditional Asian-style Tam Quan pagoda gate creates the beauty of this destination. The shape of the gate looks ancient and mysterious.

In the middle of Vam Ray Pagoda, there is a very high pillar supported by columns having the shape of Naga God Snakes used for burning candles on festivals. This pillar is used to light candles on festive days symbolizing the Buddha Dharma enlightening humanity.

Photo: Henry Duong

In Buddhist culture, Naga God Snake used to appear to help Buddha and has protected pagodas. In front of the Buddha Temple, there are three small gates with tower-shaped tops.

The main hall of the pagoda has 4 gates, the main gate facing east according to Khmer tradition. According to the Khmer concept, the main hall turns to the east, symbolizing that the Buddha’s spiritual path begins from West to East.

Photo: Henry Duong

The pillars outside the main hall were built and crafted in the ancient architectural style of Co Ranh. The top of the pillar, where the column meets the roof, is carved with the image of the god Krud, with a pearl in its beak with both hands raised to support the roof of the temple. The whole Ham Ray pagoda is like a sophisticated work of art, from the way of designing and creating domes, walls, and stairs to statues of gods and fairies.

People mention Vam Ray temple because of another special point. In the southeast direction of the main hall is the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni entering nirvana up to 54m long, 20m high, and 16m wide, supported by a 2-story row of houses where monks, nuns, and Buddhists live. All of them are covered with gold paint, adding to the reverence and splendor of the statue.

Photo: Henry Duong

Vam Ray Pagoda is a destination for monks, nuns, and Theravada Buddhists near and far every Tet holiday, especially major Khmer holidays. Moreover, this is also a tourist destination chosen by many tourists to come and learn about Khmer culture, pilgrimage, and worship.

Colorful and Khmer cultural murals are arranged throughout the main hall with the theme of Buddha’s life and Buddhist teachings. In the middle of the main hall, there is only one large Buddha image and three small Buddha images are arranged lower than the large Buddha image, creating a dignified atmosphere for this place.

Photo: Henry Duong

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