Giac Lam pagoda is the ideal destination to understand thoroughly through the spiritual tangible and intangible works from the very beginning stage of Vietnamese development, the Ly dynasty. Coming to Giac Lam pagoda, tourists not only have opportunities to blow their mind with very special historical relics in here, but also harmonizing in the spiritual livings of ancient Vietnamese people preserved until now. If having curiosity about the mysterious history and culture of the South Vietnam, Discover Giac Lam pagoda, the oldest historical relic in Ho Chi Minh city that preserve many cultural values of Vietnam from the Ly dynasty.

The first impression about Giac Lam pagoda is its delicate and very South Vietnamese ancient architectures. The architecture of Giac Lam Pagoda is familiar with the general layout in Tam (Ξ) style, especially, the two-room traditional folk house impressed with four main pillars. The original Giac Lam pagoda did not have a gate, and the gate was only built in 1955. Like other architectural works from Ly dynasty, the roof of the Giac Lam pagoda has 4 flutes and straight shape, for creating water flows running to the wells and especially performing the smooth appearance for the pagoda. The Giac Lam pagoda consists of 3 main areas, the main hall, the lecture hall and the boys’ house, excluding the annexes. In 2007, the construction of the lecture hall and ramp on the right side of the pagoda was ended. Especially, the Giac Lam pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh city associated with the historical development of the area and people in here over 270 years, preserving 98 historical relics, including bronze statues, parallel lines, and altars.

Coming to Giac Lam pagoda, tourists immediately surprise with the tranquility of this place. From the gate of Tam Quan, overlooking to the main road, Giac Lam pagoda appears as the very small architecture work from ancient. However, tourists will able to be overwhelmed because of the diverse population of historical relics in the opening space covered by the green of lush trees right at the first look inside the pagoda. The left courtyard of pagoda is from Tam Quan Gate and seven relics. In the main hall, through a small gate leading into the interior, the space is very opening and decorated with full of colors, especially, yellow and red tile. On the left side, the gates of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara altars, looking up to the front yard of the main hall, create the mysterious structure waiting to be discovered by tourists visiting here. Back to the main path, going about 100-150 meters, is the Quan Am garden. This is the miniature garden shining under the sunshine as the gentle picture inside the pagoda.

Let’s come to Giac Lam pagoda once day to admire the ancient architecture and historical relics from Ly dynasty in Ho Chi Minh city!