Jade Emperor pagoda

Most tourists to Vietnam are bowled over by the earthly beauty of this tiny country called Vietnam. From the Red River delta in the north to the Mekong Delta in the south and the acres and acres of green paddy fields in the costal areas the country paints a picture that few could forget. Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon is one of the most important metropolises of Vietnam. Formerly known as Saigon the city is home to almost 7 million people and is the financial and economic hub of the country. The city is as fascinating as it is contrary. From old colonial architectural wonders to gleaming sky-scrapers, the city is a charming pot pourri of the old and the new. 

In fact this aspect of the city is further highlighted when you visit the main tourist attractions of the city. War museums reminiscent of the Vietnam (American) War in the main city and the more quaint and quite pagodas almost exude the country's rich heritage.

Among Ho Chi Minh City's many tourist attractions the Emperor Jade Pagoda in Saigon is one of the most interesting ones. The Chua Ngoc Hong or the Phuoc Hai Tu was built in 1909 by the Cantonese community. The pagoda is also known as the Tortoise Pagoda. Taoist, Buddhist and other ethnic mythical stories from various cultures are carved in the walls of the pagodas. The Figure that dominates the main hall is the statue of the Jade Emperor who is believed to the "god of the heavens". It is the emperor who decides who will be allowed entry in to the heavens and who will be refused. Towards the left is an anteroom, which houses the idol of Kim Hua, a goddess of fertility. The King of Hell occupies another nook and is accompanied by his sundry minions. Many elaborate carvings depict the ten levels of hell and the Chinese's equivalent of the apocalypse. Enormous statues made of reinforced papier mache depict various figures from ancient Taoist and Buddhist mythology.

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