Ong Bon Pagoda

Ong Bon Pagoda is a Taoist shrine in Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City, dedicated to Ong Bon, associated with happiness, virtue and prosperity. Inside, look for the carved wood-and-gold altar, the deity’s statue and wall murals of tigers and dragons. Other shrines honour Thien Hau and Quan Am. It remains an active place of worship, so incense rituals can affect access. A festival held every four years brings performances by Saigon artists and lion dance troupes.

A shrine for Ong Bon

Ong Bon Pagoda is a Taoist temple dedicated to Ong Bon, a deity associated with happiness, virtue and prosperity. The temple was built in the early 18th century by Chinese residents from Quanzhou and Zhangzhou. Ong Bon is also worshipped as a guardian of a territory and its people.

The main shrine centres on an elaborately carved wood-and-gold altar and a statue of Ong Bon. A gilded cabinet behind the altar holds the principal deity. The interior also has shrines to Thien Hau and Quan Am, among other deities. Look up at the walls for murals of tigers and dragons.

A working place of worship

The pagoda remains an active religious site, with people coming to pray and burn incense. Incense rituals can mean the shrine is closed when you arrive, so a visit may not be possible every day. Treat the space as a place of worship: dress respectfully and avoid disturbing people at prayer.

The Cong Si festival takes place every four years. It includes performances by Saigon artists and lion dance troupes. If you are interested in local religious customs, the festival is a chance to see celebrations at the pagoda. Its grounds also have greenery, though there is little tourist information on site.