Where to visit in Go Vap District, Saigon?

SOS Children’s Village Go Vap

SOS Children’s Villages Vietnam is a member of SOS Children’s Villages International, an independent and non-governmental development organization which has been founded to provide a loving home and protect the interests and rights of vulnerable children around the globe since 1949. On entering this village, you will be taken aback by the fact that it has the biggest size in the SOS Children’s Villages system in Vietnam with up to 20 houses and the capacity for 180-200 children. Come visit, play with the children and you will be impressed by how well-behaved and educated they are! Listen to all the touching stories of their daily lives and you will understand why this place is absolutely worth paying a visit to.

Website: http://www.sosvietnam.org/ (Vietnamese, English)
Address: #697 Quang Trung Street, Ward 12, Go Vap District, HCMC
Tel: (+84) 8 3895 8504

Hanh Thong Tay Church

Situated in an abundant environment of trees and flowers, an ancient church called Hanh Thong Tay - Hạnh Thông Tây is a great place to escape from the city’s noise and pollution without having to leave it. Distinctive for a church built in Vietnam, the architecture of Hanh Thong Tay Church was not influenced by Gothic or Romanesque but by Byzantine style with two overwhelming colors of white and gray that give it such an elegant and sophisticated beauty. Over the years, the church has been the place for nearly 6,000 parishioners in Hanh Thong Tay Parish to attend religious ceremonies. It has also become a precious treasure and a unique architectural heritage in Saigon. Therefore, Hanh Thong Tay Church is unquestionably a must-visit destination.

Address: #53/7B Quang Trung Street, Ward 11, Go Vap District, HCMC
Tel: (+84) 8 3895 8069

Phu Chau Temple (Phù Châu Miếu)

Phu Chau Temple (aka Floating Temple) is a unique structure located on Vam Thuat river which flows through Go Vap District and District 12. Therefore, if you want to visit the temple, you have to get to Sa Tan Ferry and buy a return ticket for VND 10.000 per person. While sitting on the ferry, watching the water hyacinth drifting on the river and rows of nipa palms on the both sides and listening to the sound of the engine waddling will give you a sense of tranquility in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. Phu Chau Temple is brilliant yet mysterious at the same time, a bold customary traditional combination of Vietnam and China. Porcelain dragon statues, pillars and roofs in high relief which can be found everywhere in the temple are the specific characteristics of this combination.

Every year, the temple has 3 important days in celebration of Ngũ Hành Thánh Mẫu’s* birthday on the fifteenth of February, April, and August on the lunar calendar. Noticeably, Phu Chau Temple was recognized as the Art and Architectural Heritage of Vietnam in 2010.

Opening hours: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm (From Monday to Sunday)
Address: #420/2 Nguyen Thai Son Street, Ward 5, Go Vap District, HCMC

Earth God Temple

Every year, the temple holds a celebration of the birthday of the Earth God known as Phúc Đức Chánh Thần in Vietnamese on the 2nd of February on the lunar calendar. This is a typical festival in HCMC with many ceremonies including “tuồng”*, “hát bóng rỗi”* which were both recognized as the National Cultural Heritage of Vietnam and a special sort of dance move featured the usage of gold, silver trays and toys. If you want to partake in such a ritual festival and contemplate wonderful performances by folk dancers, you should never miss this place.

Address: #123 Pham Van Dong Street, Ward 3, Go Vap District, HCMC

Ngoc Phuong Vihara

Ngoc Phuong Vihara was built by nun Huynh Lien, who spent her whole life devoting to the propagation of Dharma, as showing her great gratitude to the Buddha. Since its inauguration in 1957, Ngoc Phuong Vihara has undergone several restorations and then was recognized as the National Historical and Cultural Heritage of Vietnam in 1994. The ground floor is the auditorium where a variety of conferences and meetings of the patriotic movement are held.  In the middle of the first floor, there locates the vihara sanctum which worships the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha (Siddhartha) meditating on a lotus throne under the Bodhi Tree. Stepping into the vihara means entering a world of serenity and security, a perfectly peaceful place for those who want to regain peace in their souls. Without doubt, travelers who want to have an in-depth insight into the beauty of the Buddhism culture should definitely pay it a visit.

Address: #498/1 Le Quang Dinh Street, Ward 1, Go Vap District, HCMCT
Tel: (+84) 8 3894 0841

Lang Hoa Park

With a total area of over 20ha, Lang Hoa Park is a perfect place for relaxation and recreation with extensive grass fields, running paths for joggers, a playground for kids and especially, a huge square where many competitions are organized by Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Go Vap. Lang Hoa Park is also a destination for flora lovers during Tet holiday when it holds the annual Spring Flower Festival. The diversity of species of flowers, bonsai trees and other ornamental plants from all regions gathering brings out the eager and boisterous atmosphere of spring.

Address: #191 Le Van Tho Street, Ward 1, Go Vap District, HCMC