VietNamNet Bridge – Immediately after landing arrived in HCM City on Tuesday afternoon, President Barack Obama paid a 15-minute visit to the Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor) Pagoda in Mai Thi Luu Street, District 1.
VietNamNet Bridge – Immediately after landing arrived in HCM City
on Tuesday afternoon, President Barack Obama paid a 15-minute visit to
the Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor) Pagoda in Mai Thi Luu Street, District 1.
Ngoc Hoang Temple was the first place visited by the US President in HCM City
The temple is recognized as a national architectural heritage site.
President Obama was very interested in the architecture and carvings in the temple of over a century old.
A Buddhist monk introduced the history and architecture of the temple to President Obama. The temple was built in the period of 1892-1900. In 1984, the temple was renamed Phuoc Hai. However, people still call it Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor) because the pagoda worships the Jade Emperor.
The temple consists of three compartments, worshipping the Jade Emperor, the Buddha and the gods.
Normally the pagoda is quite crowded but on Tuesday, to ensure security for the special guest, the temple was closed.
President Obama talked with his staff while walking around the temple which has a total area of 2,300 m2.
He waved to local people.
Obama warmly responded to people before leaving the pagoda for an exchange with young entrepreneurs of Vietnam.