Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time and witness the birth of a religious order? The Dong Nu Minh Thanh Tam Monastery in Saigon, Vietnam, offers just such an opportunity. The Dong Nu Minh Thanh Tam Monastery is a Dominican convent established in 1958. The convent was founded by a Dominican priest, Father Simon Hoa Nguyen Van Hien, who brought the Dominican order to Vietnam. Originally, the convent was known as Dong Da Minh Viet Nam. The name was later changed to Dong Nu Minh Thanh Tam, which means “Dominican Sisters of Peace.” The convent’s mission is to preach the Gospel and educate young people. It is a reflection of the Dominican order’s tradition of service and scholarship.
The monastery grew rapidly and now has several branches throughout Vietnam, Thailand, and Australia. The nuns, who are all dedicated to their faith, continue to carry out the Dominican mission of preaching the Gospel and educating young people. They are also involved in social justice work and working with those who are marginalized. The convent has a strong focus on education. The nuns not only educate young people in their convent schools, but they also work with the poor and those in need, providing them with job training and support. The nuns live a life of prayer and reflection, and they strive to live out the Dominican charism of service, contemplation, and study. The nuns also cultivate the land around the convent, growing vegetables, rice, and beans – a tradition that comes from the Dominican order’s focus on a simple life and their heritage of being closely connected to the earth.
Today, the Dong Nu Minh Thanh Tam Monastery stands as a beacon of hope and a symbol of the Dominican order’s commitment to service and scholarship. Its dedication to education and social justice continues to inspire people throughout Vietnam and the world. Take a moment to sit on the meditation platform overlooking the surrounding garden. Close your eyes and let the serene sounds of the convent wash over you. Feel the peace and tranquility of this sacred place – a place where the past and present collide.