chía

A chùa is the Vietnamese term for a Buddhist temple or religious complex. The word is derived from the Sino‑Vietnamese character 佛, meaning “Buddha,” and it has been in use since the arrival of Buddhism in Vietnam in the first centuries CE. Chùa serve both as places of worship and as monastic housing for monks and nuns. In Vietnamese religious practice, a chùa usually contains a main shrine with a statue of the Buddha, a cloister, and chapels for other Buddhist deities. Many temples are built on hills or near water and are surrounded by gardens or pagodas with tiered roofs and up to five story towers.

Architecturally, Vietnamese chùa exhibit a blend of indigenous and imported styles. While the overall layout follows the classic Buddhist temple plan, decorative elements often incorporate Vietnamese motifs such as lotus flowers, dragons, and lacquered ornamentation. The Vietnam War and subsequent modernization have led some temples to adopt minimalist designs, but many older chùa retain ornate stone reliefs and intricate woodwork.

Chùa are found throughout Vietnam, in cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Huế, as well as in rural provinces. Notable examples include the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, the My Son Sanctuary (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the Trấn Quốc Temple on the banks of the Red River. These sites not only serve religious functions but also act as cultural repositories, preserving Buddhist literature, calligraphy, and traditional ceremonies.

In social life, chùa play key roles in community cohesion. Festivals such as Vesak and the Lunar New Year celebrations are conducted in temple precincts, where monks give teachings, perform rituals, and distribute alms. Thus, a chùa is both a sacred space for Buddhist devotion and a vital element of Vietnam’s cultural heritage.