When you come to Phu Quoc on a 3-day-2-night Phu Quoc tour, you will not only admire the beautiful beaches, play fun games on the sea, but also visit Ho Quoc Pagoda, one of the largest spiritual destinations in Phu Quoc. The pagoda, located with its back against the mountain and facing a wide sea of 12 hectares, with unique architecture from the Ly and Tran dynasties, has attracted many tourists when visiting Phu Quoc. So if you are planning a trip to Phu Quoc, you must refer to Cuong’s article below about the most complete experience of visiting Ho Quoc Pagoda to see what attracts tourists to this place.
Where is Ho Quoc Pagoda located?
Ho Quoc Pagoda, also known as Truc Lam Ho Quoc Zen Monastery, is a pagoda located in Suoi Lon hamlet, Duong To commune, Phu Quoc district, Kien Giang province. This Phu Quoc tourist destination is about 10 km from Phu Quoc International Airport, about 20 km from Duong Dong town, and about 10.7 km from An Thoi market. Covering an area of 110 hectares, occupying 12% of Suoi Lon hamlet’s area and located in the spiritual tourism area of Phu Quoc, this famous Phu Quoc tourist destination is recognized as the largest pagoda in Phu Quoc district, Kien Giang province.
History of Ho Quoc Pagoda
Hộ Quốc Pagoda – Phu Quoc started construction on October 14, 2011, as part of Phu Quoc’s spiritual tourism project. With a total area of 110 hectares, the pagoda occupies 12% of the total 110-hectare land. After 14 months of intensive construction, on December 14, 2012, this Phu Quoc tourist destination was officially inaugurated and put into service for local people and tourists visiting Phu Quoc from both within and outside the country. On the inauguration day, Buddhist followers and many tourists came to attend the Buddha ceremony. The total construction cost of the pagoda was 80 billion VND, with an additional 20 billion VND for the road leading to the pagoda. In 2013-2014, the pagoda constructed additional facilities to enhance its beauty and attract more tourists. At present, the pagoda has become a famous tourist attraction that tourists visiting Phu Quoc always include in their itinerary every year. This is also a Phu Quoc tourist destination that is part of any Phu Quoc tour.
When is the best time to visit Truc Lam Ho Quoc Zen Monastery?
Chùa Hộ Quốc is located on a mountain, so the climate is cool all year round, making it a great destination for visitors to choose any season to visit this Phu Quoc tourism spot. Truc Lam Ho Quoc Zen Monastery – Phu Quoc is not only a spiritual tourism destination but also a picturesque place for all visitors. At Ho Quoc Pagoda, you can freely explore, enjoy the fresh air and scenery, along with the unique architecture at this Phu Quoc tourism spot. Usually, the locals of Phu Quoc visit the pagoda to offer incense on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month or during festivals. However, you can also visit the pagoda as a tourist to learn about the culture, architecture, and religion objectively. With a spacious area and fresh air, Ho Quoc Pagoda is a suitable place for tourists who want to take a leisurely walk after days of swimming at the beach. Moreover, standing from the highest point of the Zen Monastery, you can capture the entire beautiful scenery of Phu Quoc. You will have stunning photos with lush mountains, blue sea, and white sand when looking down from this place, a truly magnificent landscape.
Overview of Ho Quoc Pagoda
Cuong visited Ho Quoc Pagoda – Truc Lam Zen Monastery Phu Quoc on a rainy day, so each step on the stairs was very slippery. Especially for those afraid of heights, be careful on bad weather days. Climbing up all the stairs from above to look down at the surrounding scenery of Ho Quoc Pagoda is amazing. In the distance is the clear blue sea, and the locals call this beach Bai Cay.
Passing through the quite long concrete road to reach the pagoda, the space is very wide, and the location is extremely beautiful. Not exaggerating, the location is not inferior to the Linh Ung Pagoda in Ba Na, even more spacious. And best of all, there are some very lovely things here that Cuong will remember forever! Perhaps Ho Quoc Pagoda often holds festivals, so the temple courtyard is extremely spacious. If you are driving, you can park in the area next to the main area of Ho Quoc Pagoda, then walk up to the pagoda. On that day, Cuong came here in the evening, just as the sun was about to set, maybe that’s why Cuong found this place very peaceful. Especially, Cuong also saw the monks and children playing volleyball on the beach in front of the pagoda, seeing everyone laughing and talking happily made Cuong feel light-hearted, seeing Phu Quoc so beautiful and worth living in… To fully explore the beauty of Ho Quoc Pagoda, if you take a Phu Quoc tour package, then allocate 2-3 hours to visit this famous tourist spot in Phu Quoc. But if you are traveling to Phu Quoc independently, you can spend half a day to visit the pagoda. The Truc Lam Zen Monastery system in Phu Quoc consists of 8 main items: Tam Bao Temple; Ancestor’s Church; Bell Tower; Empty Tower; Three Gates; Abbot’s House; Monk’s House, and finally the Dining Hall. You may be surprised to know that they are built on about 2.8 hectares of land with a total construction area of 1,695m2, a tiled courtyard area of 1,927m2, a cement courtyard area of 1,138m2, a relief area of 312m2, and a stepped area of 716m2.
From the main gate of Ho Quoc Pagoda, the first thing you have to pass through is the Three Gates, which is very large, extremely beautiful and majestic. The gate has three main doors named Earth Enlightenment Door, Right Auxiliary Door called Capturing the Second, and the left door is Liberation Door. When it was first completed, upon entering the temple gate, looking at both sides of the entrance road, there were 18 Arhats carved in stone, with 9 Arhats arranged in a certain order on each side, each with a distinct expression, some looking fierce, some sad, some laughing joyfully, some solemn… now this statue has been moved to the rear courtyard. Next, what appears before you are two wide stairways like those in the palaces of ancient kings, with a carved carpet in the middle with dragon and lotus patterns, symbolizing the strength and sacredness representing the Vietnamese people.
After climbing 70 steps through a large courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard is a Buddha statue made of jade, approximately twice the size of an adult. The statue is carved from a block of jade of jadeite. Every line on the statue’s body and face is very soulful. The Buddha’s eyes seem to see through the hearts of visitors.
Behind the statue is a painting of a golden phoenix dragon on a white marble background. Next, you will enter the Main Hall. Inside the main hall of the pagoda, visitors will be amazed as everything here is made of wood. The house columns are made of ironwood, so the height of the pagoda is limited by the length of the columns. However, Ho Quoc Pagoda still attracts many visitors every day due to its mystical and sacred atmosphere! To the left of the main hall is a tower with a large and beautiful drum inside, and to the right of the main hall is another tower with a large bronze bell that rings deeply and resonantly when struck.
Continuing to explore Ho Quoc Pagoda, after the main hall is a row of ancestral houses and various beautiful landscape features, clearly showing the small scenes of Buddhist space. Most of these scenes are natural, with bonsai trees as the main focus, aiming to create the most peaceful, serene, and comfortable atmosphere for Buddhist followers, and tourists visiting Phu Quoc for pilgrimage and sightseeing. The pagoda not only serves the spiritual life of the local people but also serves as a spiritual tourism destination to attract more visitors to Phu Quoc Island, contributing to the development of the Phu Quoc tourism industry.
With a prime location “leaning on the mountain facing the water”, Ho Quoc Pagoda – Phu Quoc possesses a quite magnificent landscape foundation that not every temple can have.
Attractions of Truc Lam Ho Quoc Zen Monastery – Phu Quoc
Different from other Zen monasteries within the Truc Lam Yen Tu system built on the mainland. Ho Quoc Pagoda on the Pearl Island Phu Quoc has a very special location. This location must be said to be rare, few temples in the Southwest have. Specifically, the entire temple architecture is built according to the feng shui orientation facing the sea, with the back against the mountain and on both sides are spacious roads leading to major centers. With this, when observing from above, at any point of the temple, tourists in Phu Quoc, visiting Ho Quoc Pagoda when casting their eyes can clearly see a vast sky of Phu Quoc.
Not only is it a temple with an excellent location, but Ho Quoc Pagoda – Phu Quoc is also a place where the unique Ly Tran architecture converges. This architectural feature covers all items from the Three-door gate, main hall, celestial courtyard, to the drum tower, bell tower, and ancestral house. Existing in these structures are statues of 18 arhats, Eight Great Bodhisattvas, and Pho Hien Hanh Nguyen. According to the traditional Ly – Tran architecture, the main hall of Ho Quoc Pagoda is designed in a five-bay, two-side entrance style. Most of the construction materials of the “Dai Hung Buu Dien” items such as rafters, columns, crossbeams are entirely made of rare precious ironwood and primitive stone with durability from 700 to 1,000 years.
Wishing for luck at Ho Quoc Pagoda
Ho Quoc Pagoda is one of the famous sacred temples in Phu Quoc. Although newly built, visitors still believe that the temple will bring good things to them. That’s why tourists often come to the temple to pray for luck, especially during Phu Quoc Lunar New Year. Not only can they enjoy the scenery, seek luck, but visitors can also take countless beautiful photos when visiting this famous Phu Quoc tourist destination. Every year when Tet comes, everywhere on the pearl island is filled with colorful flowers, the bright yellow apricot blossoms shining like golden colors embellishing the blue of the sea and the land. Phu Quoc welcomes Tet in a very peaceful and simple way, just like the essence of the children of the sea who have been attached to the island for so long.
If tourists come to Phu Quoc, visit Ho Quoc Pagoda on the 1st day of Tet, they will see the bustling scene, laughter not only from tourists but also from children, adults cheering each other for a peaceful new year, the sounds of spring truly touching the hearts of those far from home. Tourists visiting Phu Quoc during Tet not only aim to admire the beauty of the place but also another purpose is to seek out sacred places to pray for blessings, luck, and peace for the new year, and one place on the island that cannot be missed is Ho Quoc Pagoda. Ho Quoc Pagoda possesses a quite magnificent landscape foundation that not every temple can have.
See more: 10 Tips for a Cheap 3-Day 2-Night Phu Quoc Tour
Some tourist destinations near Ho Quoc Pagoda
Ham Ninh Fishing Village
Hàm Ninh fishing village in Phu Quoc is located at the foot of Ham Ninh mountain, belonging to Ham Ninh commune, Phu Quoc district, Kien Giang province. When visiting Phu Quoc tourism near Ho Quoc pagoda, tourists will experience a peaceful fishing village, with simple thatched houses, amidst the shimmering silver color of the open sea waves and the coconut trees swaying in the wind, playing a symphony of the land and sea of Phu Quoc island. The locals here mainly live on fishing nets, exploiting the specialties of the ocean. And now, this area has been developed for its tourism potential. The salty taste of the sea, the gentle people of the fishing village, the peaceful life with only the sound of waves, the whisper of the wind, the stories of a thousand years in Ham Ninh fishing village Phu Quoc are still mysteries to sea lovers when visiting Phu Quoc tourism.
Sao Beach
If you have visited Ho Quoc Pagoda, don’t forget to visit Bai Sao Beach. This is one of the most famous beaches in Phu Quoc with its clear blue water and peaceful scenery. Not only domestic tourists but also foreigners come to this beach on their Phu Quoc travel.
Not as developed for tourism as other beaches in Phu Quoc, Bai Sao still retains its original wild beauty. This Phu Quoc tourist destination has a very interesting name because every night, tens of thousands of starfish move onto the white sandy shore, so the locals have named this place Bai Sao. Bai Sao is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc with sparkling white sand, and immersing in the fresh air from the sea breeze. Phu Quoc sea, with its clear emerald green water, will bring moments of relaxation and peace. Perhaps that’s why Bai Sao is a tourist spot that couples or families who love privacy and tranquility choose for rest and relaxation.
Bai Khem
Located about 25 km from the center of Duong Dong town, Bai Khem (South of Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang) is a new Phu Quoc tourism destination that is very popular among tourists. Stretching leisurely in a crescent shape with a prominent white sand border amidst the green of the forest and the shimmering sea, Bai Khem is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc with fine white sand like cream, deep blue water with a translucent emerald color that gives a uniquely relaxing feeling. Here, besides swimming, you can participate in many interesting activities such as coral diving, canoeing, etc.
Coconut tree prison – Phu Quoc prison
On the way to Ho Quoc Pagoda, you will pass by a tourist spot in Phu Quoc called Phu Quoc Prison. Phu Quoc Prison is also known as the “Coconut Tree Prison” located in An Thoi town, Phu Quoc district, Kien Giang province. This place is a heroic testament to the arduous struggle and indomitable spirit of our people in the fight against the French colonialists and the American empire. Phu Quoc Prison is currently located at 350 Nguyen Van Cu, An Thoi commune, Phu Quoc district, Kien Giang province, on provincial road 46, 28km south of Duong Dong town center and 2km from Kem Beach Resort.During the resistance war, the colonial authorities, empire, and their henchmen imprisoned hundreds of prisoners here with brutal and inhumane torture methods. This was also the central prisoner of war camp of the Republic of Vietnam, which held over 32,000 prisoners of war (40,000 prisoners if including political prisoners from various periods).
Visiting Phu Quoc Prison, you will witness the most brutal acts, the most horrific tortures that humans have to endure. Through that, we further admire the resilient and patriotic spirit of the fallen soldiers here. From there, we feel more responsible for the task of building and protecting the country today, the independence and unity that our ancestors had to sacrifice with their blood and bones.
How to get to Ho Quoc Pagoda-Phu Quoc?
-Motorbike:
The first means of transportation that Cuong mentions is the motorbike. Surely everyone knows that nowadays using a motorbike for traveling is becoming more popular and preferred. This mode of transportation gives you a sense of freedom to explore any corner on your travel journey.For those travelers who enjoy exploring Phu Quoc, consider using this means of transportation. If you are unsure about the route to Ho Quoc Pagoda, follow Cuong’s directions below to easily reach this famous Phu Quoc tourist destination:
Cuong will provide various routes with different starting points so that everyone can choose the most suitable route for themselves.
–From Duong Dong town (Phu Quoc) to Ho Quoc Pagoda: 26 km
From Duong Dong town, find your way to CMT8 street. After about 200m, turn right onto Duong Dong – Cua Can street or DT45 street. After 2km, turn left onto TL47 street. Then drive straight for about 8km until you reach a roundabout, take the second exit onto DT46 street. Continue straight for about 11km, then turn right and you will see Montana Resort. Don’t worry, although the road is long, it is very beautiful, with almost no potholes, so keep a steady hand on the handlebars. Drive another 1.5km and you will see a left turn to Ho Quoc Pagoda, follow that road for about 3km to reach the pagoda. Along the way, on your right side is a beautiful coastline, but the road is quite winding, so Cuong advises you to drive slowly to ensure safety.
–From Phu Quoc Airport to Ho Quoc Pagoda:
Drive along Phu Quoc highway to Nguyen Van Cu street for about 4km, then you will reach a roundabout, take the third exit onto Phu Quoc highway, turn right onto Nguyen Van Cu street, drive another 9km until you reach a U-turn, take that road for about 3km to reach the pagoda. The road is not too narrow, but due to heavy traffic, be cautious while driving.
–From Phu Quoc Ferry Terminal at Bai Vong Ham Ninh to Ho Quoc Pagoda: 18km.
From Phu Quoc Ferry Terminal, head straight onto the main road, pass a roundabout and continue onto TL48 street. After 3km, turn left onto DT46 street, continue for 10km, then turn right and you will see Montana Resort. Drive another 1.5km and you will see a left turn to Ho Quoc Pagoda, follow that road for about 3km to reach the pagoda.
–From Sona Seas area at Bai Truong such as Novotel, Sol Beach, Muong Thanh, Intercontinental, etc., the total distance is about 23km, follow these directions:
Drive along DT975 street for about 5.5km, the wide and open asphalt road, so no need to worry. Then follow Phu Quoc highway for about 2.5km until you reach a roundabout, take the second exit onto Phu Quoc highway, drive for about 2km, then turn right onto DT46 street, continue for about 9km until you see Montana Resort. Drive another 1.5km and you will see a left turn to Ho Quoc Pagoda, follow that road for about 3km to reach the pagoda.
–From the center of Phu Quoc Island to Ho Quoc Pagoda:
There are many routes, but the shortest one is from the center following Tran Hung Dao street, then onto Phu Quoc Airport highway and onto Nguyen Van Cu street (DT46). The total distance is about 24 km.
-For those staying in the first area of Phu Quoc Island such as Vinpearl Resort, Blue Radison, Mai Phuong Resort, etc., this route is quite far and takes a lot of time to travel, with a total distance of about 50km.
From this area, head to Cua Can Ganh Dau street, continue onto DT45 passing Vinpearl Shophouse Condotel Phu Quoc (about 1.0 km on the right). Then drive about 20km, turn right onto TL47. After 8km, at a roundabout, take the second exit onto DT46 street, continue for 11km until you see Montana Resort. Drive another 1.5km and you will see a left turn to Ho Quoc Pagoda, follow that road for about 3km to reach the pagoda.
If you are traveling to Phu Quoc on a Phu Quoc tour package and want to explore the famous Ho Quoc Pagoda by motorbike but don’t have one, don’t worry because there are many places in Phu Quoc where you can rent a motorbike.To rent a motorbike, you can ask at the hotel reception, they will know where to rent one, remember to negotiate a little like returning the bike later or reducing the price. Usually, Cuong sees rental prices ranging from 150-200k/ bike, so if you see prices above this range, you should reconsider.
-By car:
However, if you choose to travel by motorbike and your group is less than 10 people, Cuong advises that you should choose to travel by car for convenience and cost savings. Because if 10 people rent 5 motorbikes, it will cost nearly 800,000 VND for a day, not including fuel costs. On the other hand, renting a car costs just over one million VND, which is safer and much more comfortable. In case you travel by motorbike, it is very easy to get lost.
One point Cuong notes is that car rental places in Phu Quoc will charge based on the route, not by kilometer. So if you rent a car to go to the South Island, the driver will take you to visit all the attractions on the South Island such as pearl farming facilities, Pepper Farm, Phu Quoc Prison, and Ho Quoc Pagoda without additional costs. Or if you have purchased an all-inclusive tour to Phu Quoc, usually Ho Quoc Pagoda will be visited on the second day of the tour when combined with a schedule of fishing and snorkeling, the price of the 3-day 2-night Phu Quoc tour is only about one million VND per person, while the price of the 4-day 3-night tour is only about two million seven hundred fifty thousand VND per person, this price may vary depending on the number of participants.
See more: Chili Bungalow Phu Quoc – Affordable Phu Quoc Resort with Beautiful View
Some notes when visiting Ho Quoc Pagoda – Phu Quoc
– When visiting Ho Quoc Pagoda, especially female visitors should pay attention to their attire. Despite the hot weather in the southern region, it is advisable not to wear clothes that are too short or revealing. If your outfit is too short or revealing, it is recommended to borrow clothes from others to cover up, which will be more suitable for the temple environment. This is a spiritual tourist destination in Phu Quoc, so young visitors should not treat it like any other tourist spot.
– Prepare an umbrella, long-sleeved shirt, wide-brimmed hat… to protect yourself from the sun as the temple is quite new and lacks shady trees. The temple grounds can be quite sunny during midday.
– If you visit Ho Quoc Pagoda in Phu Quoc during the rainy season, be cautious when moving around as the temple grounds can be slippery.
– Avoid joking around or speaking loudly in the temple grounds, especially in the main hall. Cuong has visited Phu Quoc many times and encountered tourists who were too loud or playful in the temple, disrupting the solemnity of the place. Speaking and laughing too freely can disrupt the solemnity of the temple.
– On the way to Ho Quoc Pagoda, you will pass by many other attractions in Phu Quoc such as pepper gardens, sim wine production facilities, Phu Quoc dog farms… You can combine these visits in your itinerary. Ho Quoc Pagoda is a famous tourist spot in Phu Quoc, so it is included in almost all Phu Quoc tours. Whether it’s a 3-day 2-night package, a 4-day 3-night package, or even a 2-day 1-night package, a visit to Ho Quoc Pagoda is part of the itinerary. For independent travelers, you can choose daily tours like the Nam Dao fishing and snorkeling tour, the Mong Tay Island tour, or the Southeast Phu Quoc Island tour starting from only 280,000 VND per person, which also includes a visit to Ho Quoc Pagoda. If you only want to visit Ho Quoc Pagoda, you can rent a motorbike for 150,000-200,000 VND per bike following the route Cuong has recommended above.
– Inside the Ho Quoc Pagoda grounds, on the right side as you enter the gate, there is a small kiosk selling souvenirs related to Phu Quoc, books, and Buddhist music CDs. Therefore, tourists who want to buy souvenirs related to the temple can visit this place. Near the parking lot, there is a small path leading to the beach where you can take photos.
– Although located at a high position, the road to the temple is paved with concrete, making it easy to walk on. Even 50-seater buses can enter without any issues. There is a parking area for both cars and motorbikes next to the temple. In front of the temple lies a vast, clean, and peaceful sea.
– Next to the motorbike and car parking area, there is a canteen for Phu Quoc tourists visiting Ho Quoc Pagoda to refresh and have a vegetarian meal before continuing their journey. If you’re tired, you can take a break here before moving on. In fact, under the stairs inside the temple, there is a free iced tea jar for Phu Quoc tourists to enjoy, helping you save on buying bottled water.
Ho Quoc Pagoda in Phu Quoc is a wonderful tourist spot that not only serves the spiritual life of the locals but also offers beautiful scenery that evokes a sense of tranquility. If you have the opportunity to visit Phu Quoc, don’t miss the beauty of this place if you want your trip to be complete. Hopefully, the information provided by Cuong will help you have a smooth trip to Phu Quoc, visiting Ho Quoc Pagoda in Phu Quoc.
