Located on Pham Hung Street in District 8, An Phu Pagoda dazzles visitors from afar with its shimmering porcelain and ceramic fragments that catch the sunlight.

A closer look reveals the extraordinary craftsmanship of the temple’s design. Nearly every structure is adorned with countless broken pieces of bowls, plates, vases, and teapots, creating intricate and colorful patterns.

Historical records indicate that An Phu Pagoda was founded by Venerable Thich Thanh Duc in 1847. Over the next century, the pagoda suffered significant deterioration. In 1961, Venerable Thich Tu Bach initiated extensive renovations, building the temple in a traditional multilevel style on a 1,500-square-meter site. The complex was divided into two main areas: the worship hall and a lecture hall with accommodations for monks and visitors.

During the renovation, Venerable Thich Tu Bach envisioned decorating the temple using discarded porcelain and ceramic fragments. Monks broke the collected pieces into smaller shards, shaped them into artistic designs, and carefully attached them to walls, columns, and staircases. The motifs included Buddha statues, lotus flowers, the swastika symbol, and depictions of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

After Venerable Thich Tu Bach’s passing in 1993, Venerable Thich Hien Duc continued the restoration and decoration efforts. From 1961 to 2004, the temple used over 30 tons of ceramic and porcelain fragments, with the work taking 20,000 days to cover a total area of 3,886 square meters.

The extensive use of recycled porcelain has earned An Phu Pagoda the nickname “porcelain fragment pagoda.” On November 30, 2007, the Vietnam Records Organization officially recognized An Phu Pagoda as the temple with the most porcelain decorations in the country.

In addition to its record-setting decorations, An Phu Pagoda features enormous ceremonial candles. One pair of candles, called "Five Dragons Adorning the Flame," weighs 1,800 kilograms each and stands 3.4 meters tall. The candle bodies are intricately carved with dragons coiling from base to top, while the bases depict five smaller dragons.

In 2005, the temple unveiled another pair of candles weighing 2,100 kilograms and measuring 3.83 meters tall, surpassing the earlier set by 300 kilograms and 43 centimeters in height. Both pairs are recognized as the largest and heaviest candles in Vietnam.

Thanks to its exquisite design and unique decoration, An Phu Pagoda attracts visitors from across Vietnam and beyond. It becomes particularly crowded on full moon days, religious holidays, and during the Lunar New Year.

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, a 32-year-old resident of District 10, visited the pagoda with her mother and son. "I often visit temples for their tranquil atmosphere. This is my first time at the ‘porcelain fragment pagoda,’ and I’m amazed by the intricate patterns created from countless broken pieces of porcelain," she shared.

Phong, 24, frequently visits the pagoda to pray for peace and prosperity. After offering incense at the Guanyin altar, he lit a lantern and released it into the artificial pond.

"I’ve visited many temples in Ho Chi Minh City, but An Phu Pagoda stands out for its exceptional use of recycled materials to create stunning artwork. Everywhere you look, you’ll see intricate designs made from porcelain fragments. This is truly one of the city’s most unique temples," Phong said.

Ha Nguyen