Pothiwong Pagoda

Pothiwong Pagoda (Khmer: វត្តពោធិវង្ស), officially named Bodhivangsa Pathi Vong Wat, is one of two Khmer pagodas of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition in Ho Chi Minh City. Located at 21/2 Bùi Thế Mỹ Street, Ward 10, Tân Bình District, Pothiwong Pagoda, together with Chantarangsay Pagoda, is considered an outstanding architectural heritage of the Khmer community in the Ho Chi Minh City area.

The pagoda was founded by Venerable Thạch Âm (Dharma name: Samdach Preah Maha Ghosananda) in 1960 on a 470 m² plot of land, originally named Onteskosey. Along with Chantarangsay Pagoda, it is one of the rare Khmer pagodas in Ho Chi Minh City established to serve the Khmer community seeking refuge from war in the Sài Gòn – Gia Định area.

After 1975, the emigration of the founding Venerable abroad led to the pagoda falling into abandonment. From 1975–1993, Venerable Giới Nghiêm, a Vietnamese Theravāda Buddhist, took over and preserved the Triple Gem.

In 1993, Venerable Lâm Ym was invited to become abbot and renamed the pagoda Pothiwong under the witness of Venerable Giới Nghiêm. Since 2001, Venerable Tăng Ngọc An has carried out a major restoration with a budget of 18 billion VND contributed by monks, nuns, and Buddhist followers. The project was completed in 2018 with the Kiết giới sây ma (consecration) ceremony held solemnly.

Currently, the pagoda's area has been reduced significantly: from the original 470 m² to only 120 m². The pagoda employs a multi-storey architectural solution to adapt to the 120 m² space:

First floor: Monks’ residence, kitchen, library containing 3,000 Khmer and Pali books

Second floor: Main hall (14×8 m) following the "Three Buddhas Hall" model, with a façade featuring two symmetrical doors. The three-tiered roof is decorated with a five-tiered stupa symbolising Mount Meru, topped with a banner representing the eternity of the Buddha’s teachings.

The system of worship statues combines Khmer style with Vietnamese–Chinese influences:

Shakyamuni Buddha statue seated on a lion throne (2.5 m high)

Birth of Buddha statue standing on the Naga serpent (modelled after a Thai prototype)

"Riem-ke" bas-relief combining Angkor motifs and Vietnamese vine patterns

The main construction materials are reinforced concrete combined with precious woods (dalbergia, redwood), while the arched door system uses stained glass imported from Thailand.

Although 80% of the residents around the pagoda are Vietnamese, the site attracts about 500 Buddhist followers who participate regularly. The pagoda carries out many preservation activities:

Sen Dolta Festival: Held annually in the 8th–9th lunar months, to honour ancestors and pay tribute to forebears.

Education: Summer Pali language classes, a library of 3,000 books, exhibitions of Khmer pagoda heritage photographs.

Bhikkhu ordination: In 2019, the pagoda organised its first ordination ceremony for four Khmer monks.

Founding abbot: Venerable Thạch Âm

Venerable Giới Nghiêm

Venerable Lâm Ym

Venerable Danh Giảng (acting abbot)

Venerable Tăng Ngọc An.