Western tourists go to the market to buy clogs and go to the most sacred temple in Ho Chi Minh City to pray for children.

(Dan Tri) - During their journey to explore Tan Dinh ward (HCMC), many foreigners were interested to learn that many statues inside Ngoc Hoang pagoda were made entirely of... papier-mâché.

Centuries-old papier-mâché statues amaze tourists.

For many first-time visitors to Ho Chi Minh City, Ngoc Hoang Pagoda (Phuoc Hai Tu) offers a completely different experience from the image of an Asian pagoda. Oscar Bruins, a Dutch tourist, returned to this place for the second time and still could not hide his surprise:

“This temple is very different from the temples in Vietnam I have been to. The temple does not have a large hall, and the statues are not the same. The space of the temple brings a mysterious feeling,” Oscar shared.

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda is located at 73 Mai Thi Luu Street (Tan Dinh Ward, HCMC) (Photo: Moc Khai).

The tourist shared that on his return visit to Ngoc Hoang Pagoda, the tour guide told him that many of the statues in the pagoda were made entirely from papier-mâché. This surprised Oscar, who exclaimed: "So impressive."

"The statues are made of paper but look very heavy and sturdy. This is a special technique that I have never seen in my country. The creativity of the paper statues and the unique architecture of Ngoc Hoang Pagoda make me feel mysterious. Every time I visit, I am very curious and excited," he shared.

The papier-mâché statues are made from paper and bamboo strips, meticulously handcrafted by ancient artisans. Although made from light materials, the statues still have a majestic and gentle appearance, vividly representing the system of gods in folk beliefs.

Oscar burns incense at the temple (Photo: Moc Khai).

Not only a place to pray for peace, love, and children, Ngoc Hoang Pagoda is also a cultural sedimentary layer combining ancient architecture, folk sculptures and typical religious colors. This is also the reason why many Western tourists say that they feel like they "step into another world " when they first step through the temple gate.

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda is open from 7am to 5:30pm daily. A small note is that visitors should dress modestly when visiting the pagoda, and filming or taking photos inside the worship area is not allowed to ensure solemnity.

Ngoc Hoang Pagoda is just the starting point of the journey to explore Tan Dinh ward - an area that converges many unique destinations but still has a peaceful atmosphere amidst the bustling life of the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

From here, visitors can weave through small, tree-lined streets, which simultaneously preserve century-old French architecture, folk beliefs, traditional markets and long-standing culinary stalls. Each stop is only a few minutes away from each other, creating a short but densely packed experience of urban culture.

Tour "Tan Dinh Imprint" - promoting local heritage

Leaving Ngoc Hoang Pagoda, visitors only take a few minutes to reach the Tran Hung Dao Temple located at 36 Vo Thi Sau Street (Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City). The temple is not large but bears the mark of the folk beliefs of the Vietnamese people, especially the Southern community.

Temple dedicated to Saint Tran Hung Dao (Photo: Moc Khai).

Inside is a solemn worship space with ancient horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, and traditional decorations. This is where people pray for national peace and prosperity, and is also a cultural class that helps visitors understand more about how Vietnamese people honor their ancestors.

Coming to this majestic temple, visitors can also enjoy the sound of Don Ca Tai Tu - a traditional music form of the South recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Visitors will listen to traditional music at the temple (Photo: Moc Khai).

Many tourists shared that this was an unexpected experience, because in the middle of a modern urban center, they were still welcomed by a rustic, emotional art form that clearly expressed the cultural character of the South.

From the temple, the journey continues through a few streets to Tan Dinh Church - a prominent religious architectural symbol of Ho Chi Minh City. This more than 150-year-old building makes a strong impression with its characteristic pink color and classic-modern style.

Tan Dinh Church impresses with its distinctive pink color (Photo: Nam Anh).

The high bell tower, patterned windows, and sophisticated decorative details create a rare magnificence. This is also a place where international tourists often stop for a long time to admire, learn about the history of its formation and capture beautiful photos.

A fascinating experience at Tan Dinh Market

From Tan Dinh Church, just a few minutes walk, visitors will enter the bustling atmosphere of Tan Dinh market - a market over a hundred years old located in the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Besides the bright colors of the fabric and spice stalls, the place that makes many tourists stop the longest is a small corner where the traditional craft of making wooden clogs still quietly exists.

Tan Dinh Market is one of the busiest markets in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Vietluxtour).

Amidst the hundreds of sounds of the market, the chiseling and knocking create a unique rhythm. The merchant, who is also a clog maker, sits on a low stool, his hands deftly holding a knife to shave each curve on the body of the clog. The rough block of wood is polished and shaped into a neat clog in just a few minutes.

Each clog is then fitted with a strap and polished - all by hand. Interestingly, this craft is no longer popular in Ho Chi Minh City, so right in the middle of a central market, visitors can witness the process of making a pair of clogs - an item that has been associated with the lives of Vietnamese women for centuries - making them curious.

Western tourists enjoy watching clog making at the market (Photo: Vietluxtour).

Many international tourists often stop by to talk to the craftsmen, ask to see the process or try on a pair of newly completed clogs. The laughter, the sound of clogs clicking on the brick floor, the craftsmen telling stories about their work… all create a vibrant cultural space that not every market can still maintain.

To make your trip to Tan Dinh ward more complete, visitors can stop by and enjoy Banh Xeo Dinh Cong Trang (46A Dinh Cong Trang street, Tan Dinh ward, HCMC) - a long-standing restaurant honored by Michelin Guide in the Bib Gourmand list (delicious restaurant, affordable price).

The crispy golden crust, the plump shrimp and pork filling and the Southern-flavored dipping sauce become a memorable culinary experience for visitors before the end of the trip. In addition to banh xeo, the market also sells many special dishes such as spring rolls, spring rolls... - convenient meals with rich flavors.

Dinh Cong Trang's Banh Xeo (Vietnamese savory pancake) - a long-standing eatery honored by Michelin in the Bib Gourmand list (delicious and affordable restaurants) (Photo: Vietluxtour).

The above-mentioned special attractions are also destinations included in the tour "Cultural Experience - Tan Dinh Imprint", which is coordinated by local authorities and travel agencies, built based on the rich heritage system of Tan Dinh ward.

Ms. Do Thi Anh Tuyet - Vice Chairman of Tan Dinh Ward People's Committee - said that the goal of the tour is to promote local heritage values ​​and boost the socio-economic development of the central area.

Mr. Tran The Dung - General Director of Vietluxtour Travel (the operator of the route) - commented that tourism in 2025 is shifting strongly towards sustainability, emphasizing local experiences. Tan Dinh Tour responds well to this trend by using many services from the community, while helping tourists understand more deeply about the urban culture of Ho Chi Minh City.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/khach-tay-ra-cho-dong-guoc-di-chua-cau-con-linh-thieng-nhat-o-tphcm-20251209163832451.htm