The 383-year-old colourful pagoda is a must-see destination in the Mekong Delta province of Trà Vinh.

HCM CITY — The Mekong Delta province of Trà Vinh is home of the beautiful Hang Pagoda, built by the Khmer, situated on National Highway No.54, 4km from Châu Thành District.

It is home to Theravada monks and also a place of worship for ethnic Khmer in the Xuân Hòa residential cluster.

Its architecture is a combination of the Khmer's decorative art and the colourful designs of the Angkor culture. From its gates and roofs to interiors, there are numerous figures of birds, nymphs and Naga, the god of snakes.

The main hall has a high ceiling. An idol of the Buddha seated on a lotus is in the middle of the hall.

Outside the main hall, under a canopy of palm trees is a long line of towers built by Buddhist followers. The towers are in many different sizes depending on the donation made by each family.

In Khmer tradition, local people and Buddhists come to the pagoda to help prepare for festivals and other special celebrations. — VNS