South East of Bạc Liêu town

Xiêm Cán pagoda was initiated built in 1887 by monk Thạch Nam. In 1909, an intense storm destroyed totally the centre chamber and caused serious damage to other rests of this pagoda. Then abbot together with monks took a long time to rebuild the centre chamber by precious woods. Xiêm Cán pagoda now is the result of hard efforts of many people in this pagoda.

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The very unique architecture of Xiêm Cán pagoda makes this pagoda become one of the most attractive cultural going places in South of Vietnam to tourists. Xiêm Cán is a combination of architecture, sculpture and religion from gate to centre chamber.

Traveling to Bạc Liêu province, Xiêm Cán pagoda is a destination that nobody can ignore. This is one of the most places to go sightseeing, to learn about Vietnam culture and history and to relax. The pagoda was designed on a campus land which is quite spacious and airy with the gate that turns to the East as the religion’s belief of Khmer - the East is the end of road to reach to Buddha. The gate is decorated with the statue of multiple-head snake and many other elaborate engravings.

The architecture of Xiêm Cán pagoda features the cultural characters of Khmer people in the domes, walls, pillars, doors and stairs. Each step of the stairs is all sculpted with the Nagar Basilisk which is very splendid and glorious. As well as the gate, stairs and domes of centre chamber were also engraved with snake vignettes because of believing that the mercifulness of Buddha tamed this kind of dangerous reptile.

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Going into the centre chamber is going into a different world – the world of spirit silence and comfort. Tourists can leave the tiredness and anxiety behind then enjoy the peaceful and serene feeling. Following the two main walls, there are many sculptures and wall paintings, especially the wall paintings that express the life of Gautama Buddha from his birthday to death and the wall-paintings express Ramayama epic. All the sculptures and paintings have vital values to the search, conservation and development of national culture.

Sala is another special place of Xiêm Cán pagoda. This is not only the place for monks to take rest but also the place that monks and Khmer Buddhists gather. As well as centre chamber, Sala is famous for its wall paintings about the lifetime of Buddha. Coming here, tourists can also admire the sculptures of nymphs and beasts. Nymphs and beasts were said to be the challenges that Buddhists had to overcome to reach Buddha. The centre of Sala’s roof is decorated with the image of Angkor Wat - the source of Khmer architecture style.

Xiêm Cán pagoda is the place to honor Buddha and also the centre of culture and education of Khmers near the pagoda. There is school that teaches Khmer, Pali, Buddhist book of prayer, etc. It is also the storehouse of Khmer folk stories and many other treasured values of culture.

This pagoda is the one of the significant cultural centre of Khmer community in Bạc Liêu. During major Khmer festivals like Ok Om Bok (the moon prayer festival on April 13), Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year, April 12 -15), and Đôn Ta (festival for the dead, from 12 to 14 of the October), Xiêm Cán pagoda is filled with locals and visitors who come to pray for luck and happiness.

Existed nearly 130 years, Xiêm Cán pagoda has the very important meaning because of the cultural values and because of its historical values also. In the past, this pagoda used to be the shelter of Việt Cộng, one of the centre that gathered forces for politic struggles. Many monks and Buddhists sacrificed for the independence of Việt Nam here.

Xiêm Cán pagoda now still stores an ancient Khmer book written in leaves which is a vital and treasured document of Khmer culture. Together with other ancient items, this sacred site becomes a wonderful destination for ones love traveling and discovering.

A Glimpse of Vietnam

In early 2010, a Cultural and Craft Village Park entitled “A Glimpse of Vietnam” was put into operation in Ho Chi Minh City. The Park covers over 20ha in An Phu Commune, Cu Chi District that was once an area of swamps, bomb craters and barded wire fence, a legacy of the war.

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The Park was built by Tran Thi Tuyet Nga who lived and fought against the enemy to protect military bases in the land during the years of fierce war. She said: “When returning to Cu Chi to build a small school to present to local children, I initiated the idea to do some useful things for the land” and after nearly 20 years, “A glimpse of Vietnam” was established as a destination for travelers who want to look into the history, culture, people and craft villages of Vietnam.

A bronze zither of thousand years old.

Dong Son bronze drum and a set of gongs.

The Park consists of different areas, such as the areas of traditional craft villages, agricultural production, history of Vietnam, cuisine of three regions and an entertainment area for children. Visiting the area of craft villages, tourists will be introduced to the history as well as operation of nearly 20 traditional crafts in different regions of the country, such as red lacquer trimmed with gold, sculpture, thin gold-leaf, weaving, embroidering, bamboo and rattan plating, pottery making, poonah paper making, conical hat-making, etc.


Overseas Vietnamese are interested in making laces.

Like a museum, the agricultural production area introduces the daily activities of farmers and agricultural tools of the wet rice civilization, such as ploughs, reaping-hooks, rice mortars and tools for catching fish and processing foodstuff. Here, visitors also see with their own eyes rice fields, vegetable plots, a fish pond, etc. that not only provide a daily foodstuff source for the cuisine area but also make visitors think of their homeland with sweet memories.

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Children love to make ceramic ware.

The area of history of Vietnam – the country and people is highlighted by the Xa Tac Platform built with the soil and water from 63 provinces and cities nationwide, the Truong Son Cemetery and the Xa Tac Platform area in Hanoi. Also there is a space for displaying a mock-up of the map of Vietnam including the islands and seas.


Visiting “A glimpse of Vietnam” Park.

The Park also includes traditional houses of Vietnam, such as the Binh Dinh house that is comfortable regardless of the temperature and fire resistant; a house of the Mong ethnic people in Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai Province) built from fragrant Pomu (Fokienia hodginsii) wood, a Ruong (wooden) house of the Hue people, houses of people in the North and the South and a Rong House from Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands). All the houses displayed in the area are the original, transported from their native localities.


In a showroom

Arriving at the botanic garden which boasts hundreds of wild flowers, tourists will have relaxating moments and participate in folk games or dances with Thai and Cham girls and enjoy delicious and popular dishes.The Park should be included on the itinerary of all visitors to the area.