Unique architecture of 137-year-old Khmer pagoda in Bac Lieu
VietNamNet•28/07/2024
Xiem Can Pagoda was built in 1887 with more than 100 statues and a prominent architectural style, typical of Angkor temples. This is a prominent tourist destination in Bac Lieu province.
Xiem Can Pagoda is located in the coastal area of Vinh Trach Dong commune, nearly 3km from Bac Lieu wind power field and about 12km from Bac Lieu city center. The pagoda was built in 1887, covering an area of about 5 hectares. Xiem Can Pagoda is known as an ancient pagoda and the largest religious center of the Khmer people in Bac Lieu in particular and the Southwest region in general. In 2022, the pagoda was recognized as a typical tourist destination of the Mekong Delta. The architectural complex of Xiem Can Pagoda includes many items facing east, built in the typical Southern Buddhist school but bearing the mark of Angkor Khmer - Cambodia architecture. The highlight is the main hall built in a rectangular shape, the main facade facing east. The main hall has 18 steps to go up, above is a relief of Buddha Shakyamuni. Inside the main hall are paintings of the life of Buddha. Xiem Can Pagoda has a unique architectural art and distinctive indigenous cultural values. The entire roof structure is in many overlapping layers, creating a soaring space, blending with the sharp top like a tower. The roof system is designed in harmony with the typical architectural style of Angkor temples with Khmer dragon statues, double dragon heads, spread dragon bodies and dragon tails curved upwards. Each carving on the roof and columns is like a work of art, meticulously decorated, sophisticated in every detail through images such as: Khmer dragons, Nagar snake god, Krud bird god... The name Xiem Can of the pagoda comes from the Tieu language (the language of the people of Chaozhou, China who are living in Bac Lieu) which means "bordering water" because the terrain of this land was formerly next to the coastal alluvial temple. Opposite the main hall and tomb tower area is the tower-statue complex, including 3 main towers and Buddha statues in different meditation postures. The pagoda has more than 100 statues of the incarnations of Buddha Shakyamuni, a stone stele inscribed with ancient Khmer characters and a bronze bell dating from 1887. The pagoda is a place of practice for many monks, and also a place for Khmer people to learn to read, sing, dance, or learn a trade. The best time to visit is early morning and cool afternoon to see the whole pagoda under the golden sunlight and the daily activities of the monks. Xiem Can Pagoda also creates a peaceful and cool space around. The buildings are surrounded by spacious grounds and rows of ancient trees, such as palm trees and oil trees that are hundreds of years old, creating shade and a peaceful look.
Xiem Can Pagoda is located in the coastal area of Vinh Trach Dong commune, nearly 3km from Bac Lieu wind power field and about 12km from Bac Lieu city center. The pagoda was built in 1887, covering an area of about 5 hectares. 
Xiem Can Pagoda is known as an ancient pagoda and the largest religious center of the Khmer people in Bac Lieu in particular and the Southwest region in general. In 2022, the pagoda was recognized as a typical tourist destination of the Mekong Delta. 
The architectural complex of Xiem Can Pagoda includes many items facing east, built in the typical Southern Buddhist school but bearing the mark of Angkor Khmer - Cambodia architecture. The highlight is the main hall built in a rectangular shape, the main facade facing east. The main hall has 18 steps to go up, above is a relief of Buddha Shakyamuni. 
Inside the main hall are paintings of the life of Buddha. 
Xiem Can Pagoda has a unique architectural art and distinctive indigenous cultural values. The entire roof structure is in many overlapping layers, creating a soaring space, blending with the sharp top like a tower. 
The roof system is designed in harmony with the typical architectural style of Angkor temples with Khmer dragon statues, double dragon heads, spread dragon bodies and dragon tails curved upwards. Each carving on the roof and columns is like a work of art, meticulously decorated, sophisticated in every detail through images such as: Khmer dragons, Nagar snake god, Krud bird god... 
The name Xiem Can of the pagoda comes from the Tieu language (the language of the people of Chaozhou, China who are living in Bac Lieu) which means "bordering water" because the terrain of this land was formerly next to the coastal alluvial temple. 
Opposite the main hall and tomb tower area is the tower-statue complex, including 3 main towers and Buddha statues in different meditation postures. The pagoda has more than 100 statues of the incarnations of Buddha Shakyamuni, a stone stele inscribed with ancient Khmer characters and a bronze bell dating from 1887. 
The pagoda is a place of practice for many monks, and also a place for Khmer people to learn to read, sing, dance, or learn a trade. The best time to visit is early morning and cool afternoon to see the whole pagoda under the golden sunlight and the daily activities of the monks. 
Xiem Can Pagoda also creates a peaceful and cool space around. The buildings are surrounded by spacious grounds and rows of ancient trees, such as palm trees and oil trees that are hundreds of years old, creating shade and a peaceful look. 
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