Amongst more than 20 classified cultural and historical relics in Dong Nai province’s Bien Hoa city, Ong, Dai Giac and Long Thien temples are quite well-known and have become tourist spots of the city.
Ong Pagoda
Located in Hiep Hoa commune’s Nhi Hoa hamlet, about 2km from the center of Bien Hoa City, Ong pagoda was built in 1684 and is the earliest built Chinese pagoda in the South. The pagoda is known for its unique stone and wood sculptures, reliefs and ceramic folklore statues. Ong pagoda usually welcomes 80,000 visitors during the Lunar New Year Festival. In 2011, Ong pagoda was classified as a national historical and cultural relic.
Dai Giac pagoda
Also located in Hiệp Hòa Commune’s Nhị Hòa Hamlet, Dai Giac (Great Enlightenment) pagoda or Dai Giac ancient pagoda was built in 1665 on an 3,000-square meter area with three flat blocks which are interconnected.
The highlight of the pagoda is the 2.25 meter-high wood statue of Buddha Amitabha, which was considered as the biggest Amitabha statue in the Southeastern region during the Nguyen dynasty which has been still preserved. In addition to the Amitabha statue, Buddha statues and elaborately carved lacquered boards and reliefs in the pagoda vividly show experty of artists of the Southeast region. Đai Giac pagoda has been ranked as the national historical and cultural heritage since 1990.
Long Thien pagoda
Long Thien Pagoda is situated in Buu Hoa ward, Bien Hoa province, beside the border of Dong Nai River. It was built in 1664 and has been restored many times. The pagoda worships well-known Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Supreme Creator and Arhats, etc with many long-age bronze and wood statues. The Buddhist pagoda was classified as a national historical and cultural relic in 1991.
DT
