Close-up of the hundreds-year-old Hang Pagoda among the 'forest' of ancient trees in Vinh Long

KomPong Chray Pagoda (also known as Hang Pagoda) is located on National Highway 54, in Hamlet 3, Chau Thanh Commune, Vinh Long (formerly Chau Thanh Town, Chau Thanh District, Tra Vinh ). This is a Khmer Theravada Buddhist pagoda, not only beautiful for its ancient architecture, but also a place to preserve historical, cultural, unique religious architecture and diverse ecosystems.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 1. — Seen from above, Hang Pagoda looks like it is located in the middle of an ancient forest.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 2. — Hang Pagoda is located along National Highway 54.

Hang Pagoda is located about 5 km south of the center of Tra Vinh Ward, Vinh Long (formerly Tra Vinh City, Tra Vinh) along National Highway 54. Legend has it that in the past, the place where Hang Pagoda was located was a river wharf with a very large ancient banyan tree. Seeing the good location, the senior monks came to build the pagoda and named it Kompong Chray, meaning banyan tree wharf.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 3. — The gate of Hang Pagoda is located along National Highway 54, has a dome-shaped gate, very thick walls, 8 m long, forming 2 small caves on both sides, a large cave in the middle, so it is called Hang Pagoda.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 4. — The main hall of Hang Pagoda has bold Khmer architecture, especially the Southern Khmer architecture.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 5. — Buddha statue in the main hall

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 6. — Images of Buddha's life are depicted inside the main hall.

The pagoda was established in 1637 and has been governed by 23 different abbots to date. Locals call it Hang Pagoda, due to its arched cave gate architecture, which distinguishes Hang Pagoda from other Khmer pagodas in the province.

In May 2025, Hang Pagoda was recognized as a provincial historical relic by the People's Committee of Tra Vinh province (old).

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 7. — The three-door gate where the statues of Apsara goddesses and Naga dragons wind. Representing the protection of the Dharma.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 8. — A place to keep the ashes of monks after they pass away.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 9. — Year statue stands guarding the temple

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 10. — The sacred bird Krud - symbol of wisdom, light and protection of the sacred

Seen from above, the vast Hang Pagoda grounds are surrounded by hundreds of star and oil trees hundreds of years old; they look like a natural carpet covering the ancient architectural work.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 11. — The main hall is located in the middle of the forest, creating a unique feature for Hang Pagoda.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 12. — Hang Pagoda is not only a place of worship and belief but also a place of learning, moraleducation , and preservation of traditional Khmer culture and art.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 13. — Khmer children often choose Hang Pagoda as a place to study and practice religion.

The campus of Hang Pagoda is about 7 hectares wide, a primeval forest with many endemic plant species such as: star anise, oil, bamboo, etc. mixed together in many different high and low layers, very valuable in terms of the biosphere and a natural gene source for future generations.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 14. — Thousands of birds, storks... gather to make nests on trees in the temple grounds.

Cận cảnh chùa Hang hàng trăm tuổi giữa 'rừng' cây cổ thụ ở Vĩnh Long- Ảnh 15. — The temple has very strict regulations for protecting birds and protecting forest trees.

With a large natural forest, the Hang Pagoda campus has become a gathering place for many species of birds, white storks, ivory storks, red-necked storks and herons... The pagoda has set very strict regulations for protecting birds and forest trees, creating a peaceful natural environment for more and more flocks of birds to return to live.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/can-canh-chua-hang-hang-tram-tuoi-giua-rung-cay-co-thu-o-vinh-long-185250717132218388.htm