Mahatup Pagoda

Mekong Delta


Mahatup Pagoda, also called the Bat Pagoda, is a large, peaceful Khmer monastery compound with a resident colony of fruit bats. Hundreds of these creatures hang from the trees – the largest weigh about 1kg, with a wingspan of about 1.5m. Around dusk hundreds of bats swoop out of the trees to forage in orchards all over the Mekong Delta.

The Bat Pagoda is 2km south of Soc Trang – a 20,000d xe om ride.

The monks don’t ask for money, although donations won't hurt. The pagoda is decorated with gilt Buddhas and murals paid for by overseas Vietnamese contributors. In one room there’s a life-size statue of the monk who was the former head of the complex.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mekong Delta attractions

1. Kh’leang Pagoda

1.54 MILES

This mottled gold pagoda could have been transported straight from Cambodia. Originally built from bamboo in 1533, it had a complete concrete rebuild in…

2. Buu Son Tu

1.78 MILES

Buu Son Tu (Precious Mountain Temple) was founded over 200 years ago by a Chinese family named Ngo. The temple is highly unusual in that nearly every…

3. Xa Lon Pagoda

4.59 MILES

Originally built in wood in the 18th century, this magnificent Khmer pagoda was completely rebuilt in 1923 but proved to be too small. From 1969 to 1985…

4. Cong Tu Bac Lieu Museum

26.92 MILES

Part of the old Cong Tu family house has been turned into the Cong Tu Bac Lieu Museum, which offers a mishmash collection of antique furniture, old…

5. Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary

29.32 MILES

This bird sanctuary is notable for its 50-odd species of birds, including a large population of white herons. Bird populations peak in the rainy season –…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "vietnam/mekong-delta/soc-trang/attractions/mahatup-pagoda/a/poi-sig/1389948/357900",
      "destination": "Mekong-Delta",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Vietnam",
      "region": "Mekong-Delta",
      "position": "superzone"
    }