5. Linh Son Pagoda Relic

Linh Son Pagoda, which is located at No.104 Hoang Hoa Tham, Ward 2, Vung Tau City, is one of the oldest pagodas of Vung Tau City built in the early nineteenth century. The pagoda is located in the middle of Thang Tam village, which is an area inhabited by residents with traditional seafaring and fishing skills.

Linh Son Pagoda is in “an son tu thuy” position – leaning against the Small Mountain and on the right is the large lake bed (nearly 8,000 square meters). That was the prime position that Thang Tam villagers chose to place “Linh Son” in 1919. Previously, this location was the old foundation of Villa des Tamarins (Tamarin Villa) of a French navigator. In 1959,  Linh Son Pagoda was restored as it is now.

Linh Son Pagoda is originally a village pagoda, which is evident in the villagers jointly contributing to build the pagoda and showing in the village cultural activities of Thang Tam residents. The move of the pagoda from the foot of Small Mountain to near Thang Tam Temple is to facilitate religious activities of the village community.

Linh Son Pagoda is one of the famous tourist attractions in Vung Tau since the pagoda was voted in the top 100 typical spiritual tourist attractions of Vietnam and the State has recognized Linh Son Pagoda as a National-level Cultural and Historical Relic.

Its layout and worship style is similar to other pagodas in Vietnam, but in particular,  Linh Son Pagoda also preserves a precious statue. The main hall is home to a 1.2-meter-tall stone statue of the Buddha. Researchers believe that this is a statue of the Champa or Chenla people who stayed before the Vietnamese came here to settle down.

Visiting Linh Son Pagoda, immesed in the cool space of shady ancient trees, the chirping of birds mixed with the sound of pagoda bell, visitors will be brought into a space of escape and purity of soul to remove any troubles and emotions. Visitors will feel the simplicity and walking meditation.