Religion in Vietnam: Denominations, Temples, and Addresses by City
Vietnam is a multi-religious country. On a single street, you can find a Buddhist pagoda, a Catholic cathedral, and a prayer hall belonging to a completely different tradition. Below is an overview of all the notable religious denominations and specific sites in the main tourist cities.
Buddhism
— the most widespread religious movement in Vietnam. Its two main branches are represented here: Mahayana (predominant in the north and center of the country) and Theravada (in the south, among Khmer communities).
Hanoi
The One Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột) , one of the country's most famous architectural symbols, stands on a single pillar in the middle of a small pond in the city center.
Tran Quoc Pagoda (Trấn Quốc) is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam, located on the shore of West Lake.
Ho Chi Minh City
Buu Long Pagoda (Bửu Long) – built in 1942, located 25 km from the center, Nguyễn Xiển Street, open daily from 8:00 to 18:00.
Vinh Nghiem Monastery , campus of the Vietnam Buddhist Academy, Hiệp Thành District, open daily from 7:00 AM to 20:00 PM.
Nha Trang
Long Son Pagoda (Chùa Long Sơn) is the city's main Buddhist landmark, famous for its giant white Buddha statue. It is located in the city center, a short walk from the train station.
Da Nang
Linh Ung Pagoda (Chùa Linh Ứng) is located on the Son Tra Peninsula and is famous for its 67-meter statue of the goddess of mercy, Quan Am, visible from the city beach.
Hoi an
The historic centre of Hoi An contains several small pagodas and temple complexes that form part of the UNESCO-protected architectural complex of the old town.
Hue
Thien Mu Pagoda (Chùa Thiên Mụ) is a seven-tiered pagoda on the bank of the Huong River, one of the symbols of Hue.
Dalat
Linh Phuoc Pagoda (Chùa Linh Phước) is known for its mosaic decoration made from glass and ceramic fragments and is located 8 km from the city center.
Католицизм
Catholicism arrived in Vietnam in the 16th century with the arrival of Portuguese missionaries. Today, it is the second largest organized religious community in the country, accounting for approximately 7–9% of the population.
Hanoi
St. Joseph's Cathedral - Address: 40 Nhà Chung, Hoàn Kiếm, Open daily from approximately 6:00 AM to 20:00 PM, Masses are held daily.
Ho Chi Minh City
Notre Dame Cathedral (Nhà Thờ Đức Bà) is the city's main Catholic cathedral, built in the neo-Romanesque style by the French in 1880 and located in the 1st district.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang Cathedral (31A Thai Nguyen Street) is located in the city center next to the train station. It is open daily from 8:00 AM to 11:15 AM and from 14:00 PM to 16:15 PM. Services are held on weekdays at 04:45 AM and 17:00 PM, and on Sundays at 05:00 AM, 07:00 AM, 09:30 AM, 15:00 PM, 16:30 PM, and 18:30 PM.
Da Nang
Da Nang Cathedral – Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Address: 156 Trần Phú St. Built in 1923 for the city's French population, admission is free, with English-language mass on Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
Hue
The Archdiocese of Hue is one of the oldest Catholic communities in the country, with several cathedrals in the center and surrounding areas.
Dalat
Da Lat Cathedral (Nhà Thờ Chính Tòa Đà Lạt) is a famous pink church with a rooster weathervane on its spire, built in 1931.
Caodaism
Caodaism is a syncretic religion founded in Vietnam in 1926. It combines elements of Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Taoism, and Islam. It has approximately 1,5–2 million followers, primarily in the south of the country.
The main temple, the Holy See (Tây Ninh Holy See), is in Tây Ninh Province, 90 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Address: 843M+H6, Tây Ninh Province. Open 24 hours, admission is free. The closest option for tourists is a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City.
There are also several Caodaist prayer houses operating in Ho Chi Minh City itself.
Orthodoxy
Orthodoxy in Vietnam is represented by four parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church, which are part of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Vung Tau
Parish in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
The only permanent Orthodox church in Vietnam. Located in the Russian neighborhood of Vietsovpetro, services are not held during working hours or at night, except for Easter.
Hanoi
Parish of Blessed Xenia of Petersburg
Services are held with a priest present. The current address and schedule are published on the diocese's official website and in the VKontakte group. The rector's contact information (WhatsApp/Telegram) is +7 912 999-44-75.
Ho Chi Minh City
Parish of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God
Services are held approximately once a month at the parish premises. The current schedule and address are available on the diocesan website.
Nha Trang
Parish of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Established on February 24, 2024. The youngest parish in Vietnam.
Official website of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church :
Protestantism
Protestant congregations are present in all major cities of the country. Hanoi is home to the Hanoi International Fellowship (HIF) , an international church that conducts Sunday services in English.
Address: Detech Tower 1, 8 Tôn Thất Thuyết, Mỹ Đình, Hà Nội. Services on Sundays at 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30.
Islam
Islam in Vietnam is practiced primarily by the Cham people (central and southern Vietnam) and some of the Malay community. Mosques are located in Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, and several provinces in central Vietnam.
How to behave in religious places
Cover your shoulders and knees - this rule applies in most pagodas, cathedrals and mosques.
Remove your shoes before entering Buddhist temples where indicated.
Do not photograph people during prayer without permission.
In pagodas, do not turn your back to the altar.
Cathedrals and churches during mass or service are not tourist attractions, but places of worship.
Headline with children
Content with children
The title is first time in the city
Contents first time in the city
