Monk builds cremation center for the poor in southern Vietnam

The person behind the project is Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue, head of the Buddhist culture committee in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, head of the Buddhist Sangha of Tam Nong District, Dong Thap Province, and abbot of Que Huong Pagoda.

The An Vien Que Huong cremation center project was envisaged to span approximately 20,000 square meters.

It features modern, environmentally-friendly technology and is expected to address funeral needs for people both within and outside Dong Thap.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue shared that the idea for the An Vien Que Huong cremation facility was conceived and prepared over nearly ten years, with formal approval sought in 2019. 

Provincial authorities carefully reviewed the project before issuing the construction permit on April 8, 2025.

“After receiving the approval, I immediately proceeded with groundbreaking, which took place on May 1, right before the United Nations Day of Vesak 2025. This is also one of the offerings toward the Vesak celebration,” Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue said.

The facility includes a two-story cremation tower covering nearly 1,000 square meters and being over 12 meters tall, an ancestral hall for ash storing, a lotus pond, a coordination center, supporting buildings, three cremation furnaces, each with a capacity of 12 cremations per day, maintenance machines, a gas storage area, and lighting systems.

The project carries a price tag of about VND60 billion (US$2.3 million), funded by Buddhist followers, donors, and Que Huong Pagoda.

The An Vien Que Huong cremation facility aims to provide completely free services for underprivileged families, the homeless, and destitute individuals, ensuring they have a respectful place for their final rites.

“At this facility, we will also help the deceased by storing their ashes for a certain period in a solemn worship space," Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue noted.

"When I presented the idea to the provincial Buddhist leaders and local authorities, they joyfully agreed, recognizing that the An Vien Que Huong facility is a good solution offering both material and spiritual support. 

"It helps families facing difficult circumstances during times of loss, giving them peace of mind to move forward in life."

The monk added that the An Vien Que Huong cremation center operates under the principle: “Those who can afford it, please come to help. Those in need, please come to receive.”

Vietnamese people often believe that “funerals are the ultimate act of love,” so no matter how poor, they still want to give their loved ones a warm and dignified farewell. 

With that in mind, he decided to take care of funerals for the disadvantaged as a final material gift to the deceased and a spiritual gift to their families.

Another reason that inspired Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue to pursue the cremation facility was the realization that while traditional burial is still common in Vietnamese culture, land resources are limited.

With rising population, natural disasters, epidemics, and ongoing climate change, the land for burials is becoming increasingly scarce, especially for disadvantaged families, elderly individuals living alone, and the homeless. 

Thus, building a cremation center is a present and future necessity.

Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue emphasized that the facility will operate with the spirit of serving people regardless of religion, aiming to shift burial customs toward cremation to preserve land and protect the environment.

Beyond this project, Que Huong Pagoda, under the leadership of Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue, conducts many meaningful social welfare activities each year with a total annual cost of up to VND1.6 billion ($61,636).

These include awarding scholarships to students, giving Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, distributing charity gifts during festivals, providing support for the visually impaired, and making offerings to summer retreats.