Built by the Cantonese community in the early 19th century, Thien Hau Pagoda is dedicated to Thien Hau (Mazu), the goddess of the sea, traditionally worshipped by sailors and travellers for safe passage — fitting, given many of the temple's original patrons had crossed the sea from China to settle in Vietnam. It sits in the heart of Cholon, District 5, the city's historic Chinatown.

What makes it distinctive

The temple's most photographed feature is its ceiling, hung with large, spiralling incense coils that burn slowly over days or weeks, each often tagged with a wish or prayer written on an attached paper tag. Detailed ceramic figurines along the roofline and courtyard walls depict scenes from Chinese folklore, added by skilled craftspeople and still in good condition given the temple's age.

Photography tip: The incense coils and shafts of light through the smoky air make this one of the most photogenic interiors in the city, but it's an active place of worship — keep a respectful distance from anyone praying and avoid using flash near the altars.

Pair it with Cholon

The pagoda is a natural anchor for a wider wander through Cholon, including Binh Tay Market (the district's own answer to Ben Thanh) and the general Chinatown streetscape of herbal medicine shops, gold traders and Chinese-language signage layered over Vietnamese street life.

Practical details

Free to enter, with donations welcomed. Cholon sits further from central District 1 than most sights on this list, so budget a short taxi or ride-hail trip rather than walking.

LocationNguyen Trai, District 5 (Cholon)
Best forPhotography, Chinese-Vietnamese heritage
Pair withBinh Tay Market, Cholon streets