Dơi Pagoda

Dơi Pagoda is a pagoda with architecture blending the two cultures of Việt and Khmer in Cần Thơ city. The pagoda is also known as Serây tê chô mahatúp, which in Khmer means 'created by merit and virtue'.

Dơi Pagoda is located on Văn Ngọc Chính street, Phú Lợi ward, Cần Thơ city.

Dơi Pagoda's Khmer name is Wath Sêrâytêchô Mahatup. The Kinh and Hoa people mispronounced 'Mahatup' as 'Mã Tộc', so the pagoda is also called Mã Tộc Pagoda.

The name Dơi Pagoda (Bat Pagoda) comes from the fact that there is a forest around the pagoda, mainly consisting of sao and dầu trees, where tens of thousands of bats live; every evening, tens of thousands of bats return to the pagoda's yard, covering the sky. The monks here believe that the bats flocking to the pagoda is a Buddhist blessing for this pagoda, so they are very active in protecting the bat colony.

The bats in the pagoda are large fruit bats, weighing from 1 to 1.5 kg with a wingspan of up to 1.5 m, and they have striking yellow-black colouring. Although they are fruit-eating animals, this bat colony never eats the ripe fruit in the pagoda's garden, but usually flies far away to find food.

Dơi Pagoda began construction in 1569, more than 450 years ago, initiated by Mr. Thạch Út. At first, the pagoda was built of wood and roofed with nipa palm leaves. Since then, the pagoda has been renovated many times.

In 1960, the main hall underwent major repairs using durable materials.

On 12 February 1999, the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) issued Decision No. 05/1999/QĐ-BVHTT, classifying Dơi Pagoda as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument.

In 2007, Dơi Pagoda's main hall was destroyed by fire.

In April 2009, the main hall was restored to its original state.

In 2013, the Dơi Pagoda tourist area was opened, located opposite the pagoda's gate, with a spacious car park and other amenities such as the Dơi Pagoda restaurant, electric vehicles, etc.

The architectural complex of Dơi Pagoda is nestled within a 4-hectare compound. This architectural ensemble includes the main hall, sala (a Khmer assembly hall), meeting house, monks' living quarters, stupas for the ashes of the deceased, and a guest room.

Dơi Pagoda features ancient Khmer architecture; the main hall is rebuilt with brick, roofed with tiles, and the four corners of the roof are gracefully curved and carved with Naga serpent motifs, with a pointed stupa at the roof's apex. Surrounding the main hall are rows of supporting columns, each with a statue of the celestial maiden Kemnar with hands pressed together in front of her chest, etc.

The roof of the main hall is nearly 21 m long and more than 11 m wide, built on a foundation 1 m higher than the natural ground, and stands out with a structure of four overlapping roof layers.

Inside the main hall is a solid stone statue of Shakyamuni Buddha placed on a lotus pedestal about 2 m high, and a statue depicting the Buddha riding on the serpent deity Muchalinda.

Outside the main hall is a green courtyard shaded by ancient trees, creating a cool and tranquil atmosphere. There are also many stupas containing the remains of the pagoda's abbots and the Sa La meeting house, built in the style of a stilt house, serving as a place for monks to rest and study, etc.

Behind the pagoda are some strange graves, each painted with the image of a pig; these are five-clawed pigs (normal pigs have only three claws).

The most distinctive festival here is the Kathina festival, held from the 15th day of the 9th lunar month to the 15th day of the 10th lunar month.