Jade Emperor Pagoda: Hours, Dress Code and Visit Guide
Entry has no official fee, only a donation. The pagoda is open 07:00 to 18:00 every day. Temples require shoulders and knees covered for men and women alike, and tank tops are not accepted. The pagoda is busiest at the full moon, at Tet and on the festival of the Jade Emperor.
On this page
Jade Emperor Pagoda (Chua Ngoc Hoang) is free to enter, with donations welcome, and open 07:00 to 18:00 every day. Temples require shoulders and knees covered for men and women alike.
Jade Emperor Pagoda hours, dress rules and busy days
Hours and entry
The pagoda is open 07:00 to 18:00 every day of the week. There is no official entrance fee; drop a donation in if you like.
Busy days
People usually come at the full moon and at Tet to pray for children, love and peace. The festival of the Jade Emperor, the pagoda’s big celebration, is held on the 9th day of the first lunar month. That is the busiest day of the year.
Dress rules
Cover shoulders and knees, men and women alike. T-shirts with short sleeves are fine; tank tops and sleeveless tops are not. A sleeveless top does not work on its own, so bring a scarf or shawl to cover the shoulders.
Photos and conduct
Photography inside is allowed. Switch off the flash and ask before photographing monks or people praying. Keep your voice down, do not laugh and joke loudly or run.
What to see at Jade Emperor Pagoda
The compound covers about 2,300 m2. It has three halls: a main hall, a right hall and a left hall.
The halls
The main hall is dedicated to the Jade Emperor (Ngoc Hoang Thuong De). The left hall holds the Kim Hoa Thanh Mau and twelve midwife goddesses shrine, a small room. Many couples pray there for a child.
Ong To and Ba Nguyet, two deities of matchmaking and fate in love, are also worshipped. The Hall of the Ten Judges of Hell (Thap Dien Diem Vuong) holds 10 wooden statues, one for each of 10 torments.
The courtyard
The grounds have a fish pond and a turtle pond. Lucky oil for the temple lamps is sold in front of the gate.
A short history
- A Chinese merchant named Liu Daoyuan, a Cantonese migrant, founded the pagoda.
- The building dates to about 1902.
- It is a Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian pagoda.
- It was renamed Phuoc Hai Tu in 1984, though people still call it Ngoc Hoang.
- It was recognised as a national architectural and artistic monument in 1994.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
- Couples hoping for a child or a partner: pray at the midwife goddesses and Ong To and Ba Nguyet shrines.
- Visitors who like temple detail: the Hall of the Ten Judges of Hell holds 10 wooden statues.
- Anyone who wants calm: no loud talk or running is allowed.
- Visitors in a tank top: change first, as tank tops are not accepted.
- Crowd-averse visitors: avoid the full moon, Tet and the 9th day of the first lunar month.
How to get to Jade Emperor Pagoda
The pagoda is at 73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Tan Dinh Ward. A taxi or ride-hailing car is the simplest way; the fare is around VND 50,000 to 80,000 from the central landmarks and takes 10 to 15 minutes.
73 Mai Thi Luu, Tan Dinh, Ho Chi Minh 700000, Vietnam · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Open Jade Emperor Pagoda in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
When to go
Arrive before 18:00, when the pagoda closes. For fewer people, avoid the full moon, Tet and the festival of the Jade Emperor on the 9th day of the first lunar month.
Nearby and how to combine it
Ho Thi Ky market makes a good next stop as a next stop after the pagoda.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office guide covers 1 and 2 Paris Commune Square. The post office opens at 07:30 on Google Maps, so start at the pagoda from 07:00. More sights are in things to do in Ho Chi Minh City.
Before you go
- Cover shoulders and knees, men and women alike.
- Bring a scarf or shawl if your top has no sleeves.
- Do not wear a tank top.
- Photos are fine inside; turn the flash off.
- Keep voices low and do not run.
- Arrive before 18:00.
Photos and clips uploaded to Google Maps (Jade Emperor Pagoda on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)) by Philipp, Ju, Maichel Depcke.
Step by step
- Dress for a templeCover shoulders and knees, and bring a scarf if your top has no sleeves.
- Arrive before closingThe Google Maps hours are 07:00 to 18:00 daily.
- Photograph without flashPhotos are allowed inside; skip the flash and ask before photographing people praying.
Not confirmed: There is no official pagoda page, so the 07:00 to 18:00 hours come from Google Maps. Festival-day hours are not published, so on the festival day go early.
Common questions
What time does Jade Emperor Pagoda open?
07:00 to 18:00 every day of the week.
How much is the entry fee for Jade Emperor Pagoda?
Nothing: there is no official entrance fee, and visitors are encouraged to donate.
What should I wear to Jade Emperor Pagoda?
Cover shoulders and knees, men and women alike. Short sleeves are accepted but tank tops are not. A scarf or shawl can cover bare shoulders.
Can I take photos inside Jade Emperor Pagoda?
Yes, the national tourism authority names Jade Emperor Pagoda as a pagoda that allows photography inside. Skip the flash and ask before photographing monks or people praying.
When is Jade Emperor Pagoda busiest?
People usually come at the full moon and at Tet. The festival of the Jade Emperor on the 9th day of the first lunar month draws the biggest crowd.
Who built Jade Emperor Pagoda?
A Chinese merchant named Liu Daoyuan, a Cantonese migrant, founded it. The building dates to about 1902.
What is the Hall of the Ten Judges of Hell?
The shrine holds 10 wooden statues, one for each of 10 torments suffered in hell.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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