How to pay respects at a Vietnamese temple
There is no single correct way to pay respects. What follows is common in Vietnamese temples; if a teacher or someone at the temple shows you otherwise, follow them.
A first visit, step by step
- Arrive and pause at the gate. Slow down and lower your voice. If there is a three-door gate, many people use a side door and put their palms together in greeting.
- Offer incense in the courtyard, if the temple has an outdoor burner. Not every temple has this step.
- Enter the main hall by a side door if the middle door is closed. Stand still for a moment and let the mind settle.
- Honour the Buddha. Palms together, a slight bow, then bow as described below.
- Visit the other altars in the order given on the altars page.
- Sit quietly. Many visitors sit at the back of the main hall or in the meditation hall.
- Leave gently, stepping back a few paces rather than turning your back on the altar if you can.
Dress and behaviour
- Dress modestly and neatly: avoid very short, revealing or loud clothing.
- Take off hats and sunglasses in the main hall.
- Keep quiet, silence your phone, take few photos, especially during a service.
- Remove shoes where indicated.
- Walk behind people who are bowing; avoid passing in front of them.
Incense and offerings
- Incense. Three sticks is common, often understood as turning the mind toward Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. At a small altar one stick is fine. The attitude matters more than the number.
- Lighting. Light the sticks from the temple's candle or lamp. If a flame appears, wave your hand gently or tilt the stick; avoid blowing it out.
- Holding. Hold the sticks in both palms at chest or forehead height, then place them upright in the centre of the burner with your right hand, slowly.
- Offerings. Flowers, fruit, clean water and lamps are simple offerings. If a temple does not want paper offerings burned, follow its rule. You do not need to bring anything to enter a temple.
Palms together and bowing
- Palms together (hợp chưởng). Press the palms together at the chest, fingers pointing up, and lower the head slightly.
- Slight bow (vái). Palms together, a gentle bend of the body as a greeting.
- Full bow (lạy). Kneel, lower the hands and forehead to the floor or cushion, then rise. If kneeling is hard, you can stand and bow instead.
- Number. Many places use three bows before the Buddha, standing for the Three Jewels. The count and form can differ between temples and traditions.
Bell and wooden fish
The bell and the wooden fish (mõ) set the rhythm of chanting. The wooden fish keeps a steady beat during chanting; the bell rings out the times of daily practice. Visitors usually do not ring the bell on their own. If the temple invites you to ring it, ring slowly, sparsely, and listen to the sound fade.
Sitting meditation
Some temples let visitors sit in a meditation hall. Sit upright, hands relaxed, breathe naturally, eyes lightly closed or looking down. The full-lotus posture is not required; a chair is fine. Pagoda has meditation halls where you can sit quietly with others.
What to avoid
- Loud talk, running or joking in the main hall.
- Pointing your feet at the altar or sitting with your back to the statue.
- Touching statues, ritual objects or offerings without permission.
- Burning paper money where the temple does not allow it.
- Photographing people while they are bowing, without asking.
Regional and tradition differences
Temples in the north, centre and south, and in the Mahayana and Theravada traditions, each have their own habits: altar arrangement, dress, how to bow, times of practice. At an unfamiliar temple, watch what people there do and follow.