Som Rong Pagoda

Som Rong Pagoda is one of the most prominent Khmer pagodas in the Mekong Delta region. With a history of more than 200 years, this pagoda is not only an important spiritual place for the Khmer people. It has also become an attractive tourist destination thanks to the largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam. Every year, the pagoda attracts thousands of tourists to visit, worship and explore its unique cultural beauty. Let’s visit this unique pagoda with Origin Vietnam.

1. Where is Som Rong Pagoda?

Som Rong Pagoda is located at 367 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ward 5, Soc Trang City, Soc Trang Province, Vietnam. It is about 2.5 km northeast of the city center and about 212 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City.

2. How is Som Rong Pagoda unique?

Som Rong Pagoda is also known in Khmer as Wat Pătum Wongsa Som Rong. This is a Khmer Theravada pagoda in the Southwest of Vietnam. This name comes from the fact that there are many wild grasses called Som Rong growing around the pagoda. The pagoda has a history of more than 200 years, having undergone many renovations to have the present spacious appearance. In addition, this place is one of the leading spiritual destinations in Vietnam. With works and Buddhist architectural beauty bearing the mark of the century.

According to the monks here, Som Rong Pagoda was initially built temporarily with very rudimentary materials. Such as bamboo, leaves, and clay. Through the ups and downs of history, the pagoda was donated by the Khmer community to rebuild it more spaciously. And it became one of the largest pagodas in Soc Trang in particular and the Mekong Delta in general.

3. History of Som Rong Pagoda

Som Rong Pagoda is one of the typical architectural works, imbued with Khmer culture. This pagoda was established in 1785. After many generations and many years of development. Som Rong Pagoda was gradually renovated and rebuilt to be more solid.

• Accordingly, in 1960, the Venerable Ly Duc ordered the construction of a new, more spacious main hall, located on a large plot of land.
• In 2000, Som Rong Pagoda continued to rebuild the main hall.
• Then, in 2013, the pagoda built the Sala meeting house, the stupa. And especially the symbolic work of Som Rong Pagoda – the giant Nirvana Buddha statue, the largest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam.

All of these works have sophisticated carvings and motifs, imbued with the traditional culture of the Khmer people. Since then, Som Rong Pagoda has become one of the major pilgrimage sites and a famous tourist destination in Soc Trang.

4. When is the best time to visit Som Rong Pagoda?

Soc Trang’s climate is quite mild, each season has its own unique beauty. Therefore, you can travel here at any time of the year. However, according to the Soc Trang travel experience of tourists who have been here. The ideal time to visit Som Rong Pagoda is in the dry season, from November to April of the following year. During this time, the weather is cool and pleasant, with mild sunshine and little rain. It creates favorable conditions for traveling, sightseeing, worshiping and checking in super cool photos at the pagoda.

The best time of day to visit the pagoda is early morning or late afternoon. During this time, the air is mild, fresh, sunny but not too harsh. You will have the best time at the pagoda to admire and take pictures of the sunrise and sunset.

In particular, you can come here during the traditional festival season of the Khmer people. Such as: Chol Chnam Thmay festival, Thot Nhek festival, Sen Dolta festival, … This is an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, participate in local cultural activities.

5. How to get to Som Rong pagoda from Soc Trang city?

Som Rong pagoda is located right in the center of Soc Trang city. Moreover, the infrastructure and roads here are quite developed and convenient. Therefore, you can easily get here by means such as: motorbike, private car, taxi, … even by bicycle or on foot.

Once you arrive in Soc Trang city, you can take a taxi or technology car to get to Som Rong pagoda. In addition, you can also rent a motorbike at service points or accommodation and actively travel to Som Rong Pagoda. To easily find your way and move, you can use the Google Maps app or ask the locals for directions, because Som Rong Pagoda is located along National Highway 60.

6. Opening hours and entrance fees to Som Rong Pagoda

5.1 Opening hours:

• Open: All day.

5.2 Entrance fee:

• Ticket fee: Free.

7. Activities and experiences when visiting Som Rong Pagoda

7.1 Admiring the reclining Buddha statue at Som Rong Pagoda

When talking about Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang. It is impossible not to mention the giant reclining Buddha statue. This is the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni entering nirvana, 22.5m high and 63m long. With its massive size, the reclining Buddha statue at Som Rong Pagoda is considered the largest reclining statue in Vietnam.

When you come to Som Rong Pagoda, you will admire this spiritual work. People seem to become small before the majesty of the religious symbol. With an impressive construction scale, the reclining Buddha statue at Som Rong Pagoda is also a unique work of art, attracting tourists. It helps promote the image and cultural spirit of the Khmer community.

7.2 Exploring the beauty of traditional Khmer pagoda architecture

The unique point at Som Rong Pagoda also comes from the beauty of traditional Khmer pagoda architecture. This is a Southern Khmer pagoda with many impressive constructions:

7.2.1 Stupa:

Right at the entrance to the pagoda, you will be overwhelmed by the stupa of Som Rong Pagoda. The stupa has 4 sides with 4 entrances, impressing with its gray-white color. With the highlight being the golden color of many Buddha statues and relics inside. The tower has 7 floors in total, and 3 floors on the tower base. In the center of the stupa is the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni sitting on a lotus pedestal, extremely solemn and majestic. Every detail of the stupa is carved delicately, vividly with images and religious symbols imbued with Khmer culture.

7.2.2 Main hall:

Located opposite the stupa is the main hall of Som Rong Pagoda. The main hall is about 5m wide and more than 20m long, standing out with its brilliant colors, soaring tiled roof and sophisticated classical motifs carved on the pillars. As you walk along the path to the Main Hall, you will learn about Buddhist life and stories through the paintings and photographs mounted on the walls. From the outside looking up at the Main Hall, you can also see the image of Buddha’s birth walking on a lotus throne.

7.2.3 Sala Assembly Hall:

Sala Assembly Hall was built over 4 years, from 2013 to 2017. This is where Buddhist teachings and learning activities take place. And it is also the area for community and cultural activities of the local Khmer people. In addition, with impressive colors and traditional architecture, mixed with modern structures inside. Sala Assembly Hall always leaves a deep impression on visitors.

Following the entrance to Sala Assembly Hall, you can easily see images and symbols of the gods decorated. Such as: the dragon god on the stairs, the Naga snake god on the 1st floor attic, the relief of the Dancer on the 2nd floor attic. Or, along each attic section is the image of the Krud bird god and the Xome mountain image on each eaves. In particular, in the center of the Sala meeting house is the image of Buddha Shakyamuni blessing on the nine-headed snake god.

7.3 Participating in traditional cultural festivals of the Khmer people

In addition to being a place to practice Buddhism for the local Khmer people. It is also a pilgrimage site and a tourist destination. Som Rong Pagoda is also the place where traditional cultural festivals of the Khmer people take place. Some festivals are held annually such as:

• Chol Chnam Thmay Festival – the traditional New Year of the Khmer people: this is a festival to celebrate the new year according to the traditional calendar of the Khmer people. It takes place in the beginning of the month of Posak, around mid-April of the Gregorian calendar.
• Ok Om Bok Festival – the festival of feeding flat rice: This traditional festival is also known as the Khmer Moon Worshiping Festival. The festival is held around the full moon of the 10th lunar month every year.
• Kathina robe offering ceremony (also known as Flower Offering, Ca robe offering): This festival carries a unique cultural message of “giving” and “receiving” in the life of the Khmer people. It creates merit and creates great joy during the festival season for lay Buddhists. The Kathina robe offering ceremony is held from September 15 to October 15 of the lunar calendar every year.
• Sen Dolta ceremony: This is a traditional festival of the Khmer people with the same meaning as Vu Lan ceremony. It is to commemorate the merits of grandparents, parents and relatives. Sen Dolta ceremony is usually held on October 15 according to the Khmer calendar.

8. Enjoying Soc Trang cuisine when visiting Som Rong pagoda

When visiting this ancient pagoda, you will not only admire the unique architecture or hear interesting legends. And especially see the giant bats. But you also have the opportunity to enjoy delicious dishes of this beautiful land. The special dishes include: Braised star goby with lemongrass and chili, Banh Khot, Shrimp crackers, Duck noodle soup with pepper, Soc Trang grilled veal. Or noodle soup with fish, Vermicelli rice salad, Pia cake, Cake with jelly, Sesame apple.

9. Accommodation when visiting Som Rong Pagoda

When visiting this famous spiritual site, you can refer to some of the following accommodations:

• My Hang Hotel. Address: 478 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 2, Soc Trang.
• Ngoc Lan Hotel. Address: 182 Le Hong Phong Street, Ward 3, Soc Trang.
• Xuan Huynh 3 Hotel. Address: 34A Huynh Phan Ho, Ward 6, Soc Trang City, Soc Trang.
• Hai Yen Hotel. Address: 290 QL1A, Ward 7, Soc Trang City, Soc Trang.
• Thuan Phat Hotel. Address: 295 Phu Loi, Ward 2, Soc Trang.
• Net Viet Hotel Vincom Soc Trang. Address: 22 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 2, Soc Trang.
• Ngoc Thu Hotel. Address: Km 2127 Highway 1A, An Hiep Commune, My Tu District, Soc Trang.
• Thien An Hotel. Address: 293 Tran Hung Dao, Ward 3, Soc Trang City.
• Satraco Royal Hotel. Address: 198 Van Ngoc Chinh, Ward 3, Soc Trang.

10. Some important notes when visiting Som Rong Pagoda

Som Rong Pagoda is a major spiritual destination in Soc Trang. Therefore, when visiting here, you need to note the following to have a smooth and complete trip.

• Because this is a spiritual destination, you need to prepare polite, cool clothes and protect yourself from the sun carefully
• Do not wear revealing, offensive clothes when visiting Som Rong Pagoda.
• Be aware of preserving the landscape, environment and general hygiene. Do not litter, put trash in the right place in the temple area.
• Do not make loud noises in the temple area, affecting the peaceful space.
• You can bring drinking water and snacks to replenish energy when needed.

With the unique religious and cultural beauty of the Khmer people. Som Rong Pagoda is a meaningful destination in the journey to explore the Southern region of Vietnam in general and Soc Trang in particular. Join Origin Vietnam – a professional tour operator. We will accompany you on the Mekong Delta tour to admire this majestic and solemn temple.