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Introduction to Buu Long Pagoda
Buu Long Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City is the most beautiful one in Vietnam, with architectural elements from Thailand, Myanmar, India, and Vietnam itself. This kind of pagoda is unique and rarely found in Vietnam.
The Theravada branch of Buddhism is practiced in Buu Long Pagoda. That’s why they don’t burn incense sticks on this pagoda’s grounds, unlike in other Buddhist temples.
It’s one of the not-so-visited places in Ho Chi Minh City, and we can see why. Since it’s located in District 9, far out of the city’s center, it’s entirely off the beaten tourist track.
Also, you get a great view of District 9 and the Landmark 81 building in the far distance from the main stupa/pagoda tower.
Buu Long Pagoda is also a great spot to snap some photos of many passing planes, as it’s on the exact line going towards the Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
Note: No shoes, drinks, food, no shorts, or open dresses, and no hats are allowed on the upper floors of the pagoda.
Before you get up to the upper floor, you can get a free bag to put shoes in that you return after use.
How much time is needed to visit Buu Long Pagoda?
Expect to spend between one and one and a half hours at Buu Long Pagoda, as the grounds are not that big.
Is there an entrance fee for Buu Long Pagoda?
There is no entrance ticket to Ho Chi Minh’s Buu Long Pagoda, like any actual temple in Vietnam. Although you can, of course, leave a donation after your visit in one of the donation boxes.
Facilities at the temple grounds
- Immaculate toilets available.
- Free parking for motorbikes.
- There is a vegetarian restaurant available on-site.
What is the best time to visit the pagoda?
The best time to visit Buu Long Pagoda is in the mornings when the first sun rays hit the golden parts. It looks spectacular. Otherwise, you can visit at any time during the opening hours, as it’s usually not as crowded. Unlike some other attractions in Ho Chi Minh City.
Unfortunately, even though we arrived at the entrance of Buu Long Pagoda still in the dark, we didn’t manage to enjoy a nice sunrise. Nonetheless, it was still a very much enjoyable and beautiful sight.
What are the opening hours of the pagoda?
The opening hours of Buu Long Pagoda are between 8 am and 6 pm.
The stupa, where you can get the best view of District 9, opens between 8 am and 10 am and between 2 pm and 4 pm.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t get inside the pagoda and to the stupa as it was closed due to restrictions. It should be open now.
How to get to Buu Long Pagoda
The easiest way to get to Buu Long Pagoda is if you come by motorbike or taxi, as there are no good public transportation options to get you there.
Travel tip: Download the app Grab (like Uber) and book a taxi there. It’s better than a regular taxi and hassle-free.
Buu Long Pagoda is located in suburban District 9, about 25km or 40 minutes drive from Ho Chi Minh’s downtown.
It’s a beautiful drive that shows you a different side of Ho Chi Minh City.
Where to eat at Buu Long Pagoda?
As with most Buddhist temples in Vietnam, you can find a restaurant right next to the Buu Long Pagoda grounds, where you can enjoy traditional Vietnamese vegetarian food.
Vegan or vegetarian?
Is the Buu Long Pagoda wheelchair accessible?
The lower part of the Buu Long Pagoda is wheelchair accessible, but the upper floors, unfortunately, are not.
The central part around the fountain and pool and the gardens around the pagoda should be easy to get around, as there are no stairs.
Is Buu Long Pagoda worth visiting?
Yes, Buu Long Pagoda is definitely worth visiting, even though it’s a bit harder to get to, as its architecture is a true piece of art.
Photography tips for Buu Long Pagoda
Buu Long Pagoda is an excellent spot for taking some beautiful photos, as it has all the right elements, from the pool and fountain in front of it to all the details like the golden towers, dragon sculptures, Buddha statues, and more.
We didn’t have luck as the monks were renovating some parts of the temple when we visited, so the pool was empty. Otherwise, the blue water of the pool really adds up to the photos, especially the ones taken with the drone.
Anyone planning to drone Buu Long Pagoda should be extremely cautious not to fly too high above it. The pagoda is right on the line that leads towards the Tan Son Nhat Airport. So try tracking the planes on FlightRadar24 to find the time window when you can fly.
Things to do around Buu Long Pagoda
Chau Thoi Buddhist Temple
Chau Thoi is another cool-looking Buddhist temple about 15 minutes’ drive away from Buu Long Pagoda. It’s located on a big hill and looks impressive when seen from down.
We didn’t manage to visit inside, as when we arrived, we would have to wait for another 2 hours for it to open.
There’s also not much information about this temple available online. We found only a few Vietnamese articles that don’t say much about it.
