Xa Loi Pagoda

Xa Loi Pagoda at 89 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan in District 3 is a mid-20th-century Buddhist pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, best known for its role in the 1963 Buddhist crisis. It was raided by government special forces under the Ngo Dinh Diem regime, an event that drew international attention to religious tensions in South Vietnam. The pagoda is a relatively plain, functional structure by Saigon pagoda standards, and its multi-tiered tower is the main visual feature rather than elaborate ornamentation. Visitors enter through a gate into a courtyard dominated by the tower, and the main sanctuary sits within the compound. Inside the main hall, a large gilded Buddha statue is surrounded by smaller figures, and the walls carry paintings depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha. The pagoda functions as a working temple and as a centre of the local Buddhist community, so monks and worshippers are often present, especially around the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month when prayers are held. A visit generally takes thirty to forty-five minutes. The pagoda is typically open in the morning and again in the afternoon with a midday closure, so the morning between 7:00am and 11:00am is the most reliable time to arrive. Entry is free and donations are welcome. Visitors should dress modestly, remove shoes before entering the sanctuary and keep conversation quiet. The pagoda is about ten minutes on foot from the War Remnants Museum, and it fits easily into a District 3 itinerary alongside that museum and Reunification Palace.