Kom Pong Chrai Pagoda in the southern province of Tra Vinh attracts many visitors for its architecture and the wood sculptures made by its monks.

Kom Pong Chrai Pagoda well-known for wood carving

The gate is designed to look like a cave, so it is called the Hang (cave) pagoda. The 300 year-old pagoda’s compound include a 30m Sao tree, which attracts many birds and storks to shelter, and a workshop where skilled monks carve wood.

Monk Thach Suong said that 10 years ago, craftsman Thach Buoi in Vinh Long Province was invited to the pagoda to make some sculptures for the main palace. Many young monks were interested in learning woodwork, so they asked for Buoi to teach them.

The sculptures made by the monks

Local residents also come to the workshop to learn. More than 1,000 sculptures have been made at the pagoda.

Most of the works are sold to visitors and based on customer requests, such as the 12 animals of the Lunar cycle.

Visitors to the pagoda