Wat
Chùa Nam Sơn
Chùa Nam Sơn is a Khmer Wat in Vũng Tàu ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.[1] It is also called Giri Dakkhinasattharama.[2]
History
The Wat stands on the slope of Núi Lớn and is the only Khmer Wat in the former Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu province.[1] It is regarded as a cultural and religious center for Khmer people and Phật giáo Nam tông followers in the area.[1]
The Wat's monks say it began as a small wooden hut with a cement-sheet roof, built by a nun as a place of practice.[1] When she was old and weak, she handed it to Thượng tọa Quách Thành Sattha to take over and look after.[1] In 1996 he began building and completing the main hall and its auxiliary buildings.[1]
A stone-paved staircase of nearly 200 m leads up to the Wat, and two large seven-headed Naga statues stand at the approach to the main hall.[1] The main hall holds an altar to the Buddha Thích Ca, and a place for the monks to chant.[1] Below it is a two-story building called tăng xá, where the monks live and study.[1] Its ground floor holds a Buddha altar and a five-tone music ensemble used in Khmer festivals.[1]
Religious life
The Wat holds the traditional festivals of the Khmer community each year, such as Chol Chnam Thmay, Đôn-ta and Ok Om Bok.[1] Its monks also take part in community rites such as weddings.[1]
On the morning of April 15, 2026, the Wat held the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay festival for the Khmer people, solemnly and formally (trang nghiêm, trọng thể).[2]