Brian Jeffrey
A towering 20-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha, constructed from reinforced concrete, located at Vinh Trang Pagoda in Tien Giang Province, has been recognized as one of the world’s most remarkable gigantic Buddha statues by Wanderlust magazine in March of this year.
Situated about 3 kilometers from the center of My Tho in Tien Giang, Vinh Trang Pagoda ranks as one of the largest Buddhist temples in southern Vietnam, covering nearly 20,000 square meters. The site features around 60 Buddha statues made from various materials, some dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
From an aerial perspective, the statues of Maitreya Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Shakyamuni Buddha are particularly striking.
The standout feature is the 20-meter Maitreya Buddha statue, which weighs around 250 tons and was unveiled in 2010. This statue also contains offices for the Tien Giang Buddhist Sangha and a lecture hall that can accommodate up to 200 individuals.
Wanderlust has spotlighted the Maitreya Buddha statue at Vinh Trang Pagoda as one of the most sizable and visually captivating Buddha monuments globally.
Another magnificent structure is the reclining Shakyamuni Buddha statue, which measures 32 meters in length and 10 meters in height, also made of reinforced concrete and weighing 250 tons. These remarkable figures are beautifully detailed, emanating a peaceful and enlightened presence.
Apart from its monumental Buddha statues, Vinh Trang Pagoda is home to a seven-tiered stupa located at the back, known as “Thap Phat” (Seven Buddhas Tower), dedicated to seven distinct Buddhas.
The sprawling grounds of the pagoda are serene and lush, adorned with greenery, bonsai trees, vibrant flowers, and serene lotus ponds.
The architecture of Vinh Trang Pagoda resembles the Chinese character for “Quoc,” featuring red-tiled roofs and a combination of concrete and precious wood in its design. The overall structure is 1,400 square meters, comprising four interconnected halls: front chamber, main hall, ancestral house, and rear hall.
The exterior, constructed from concrete, gives off a French mansion vibe, while one section of the roof reflects Khmer cultural influences. The decorative ceramic tiles are sourced from Japan.
The interior design of the main hall and ancestral house showcases Chinese architectural motifs while retaining Vietnamese cultural elements. Numerous wooden plaques inscribed in Han characters hang above.
The wooden pillars within the halls are crafted from rare hardwoods. A skylight courtyard, shaped like a square, connects the halls and features miniature non-bo landscapes with mountains and temples, rich in Vietnamese heritage.
Within the main hall, various Buddha figures are displayed, made from wood, bronze, terra-cotta, and cement, all dating back to the late 19th century and adorned with beautiful gold leaf.
The main entrance gate, constructed in 1933 by artisans from Hue, features a multi-tiered design. The central entryway is crafted from iron in a French style. Initially, it displayed statues of esteemed monks who contributed to the temple’s history, later replaced by Buddha figures.
The upper sections of the three-arched gate are intricately adorned with mythical creatures, including dragons, unicorns, turtles, phoenixes, deer, tigers, and fishermen. These artworks are made from Vietnamese and Chinese porcelain, beautifully glazed in vibrant green tones.
In 2007, Vinh Trang Pagoda was acknowledged by the Vietnam Book of Records as the first Vietnamese temple to harmoniously incorporate both Eastern and Western architectural elements.
