Buddhist Meditation in HCMC

No, Buddhist meditation is NOT unpopular as you think. In fact, it has *never* been unpopular. It's one of the oldest *uninterrupted* practices in Vietnam, began many centuries before the country became influenced by Western culture. It's not a fad or trend, but a way of practicing Buddhism.

My first meditation occurred 50+ years ago in a temple in Q Thu Duc, and my most recent one was a few years ago with a private group in Q Phu Nhuan. In between, I've meditated alone or in temples and monasteries in Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Pleiku, Da Lat, and Vung Tau, You can find a place to meditate in any city where a temple exists or a large group of Buddhists reside.

You're correct that there isn't any advert, but it's not because the meetings are opened only to Vietnamese. It's just that no one has ever thought there was a need to advertise when people simply went to a temple to check with the monks or nuns for the information.

Going to a temple for information requires a bit more effort than clicking on a link that leads to a website, but meditation has never been about instant gratification.

Anyhow, since you've asked, here are a dozen places in Saigon you can try. The info may or may not be up to date, you would have to contact them and find out.

-  Mondays, 18:30 - 21:00 at Club Đời Rất Đẹp, 91/8E Hòa Hưng, Q 10 -- 0915700 010;  0933966998
-  Tuesdays, 19:00 - 20:30 at  95 Hòa Hưng, Q 10 -- 0982383984
-  Tuesdays, 19:30 - 21:00 at 192/34E Phú Thọ Hòa, Q Tân Phú -- 0987362149
-  Wednesdays,  19:30 - 21:00 at Hatha Yoga, Khánh Hội Building, 360 Bến Vân Đồn, Q 4 -- 0988806796
-  Thursdays, 19:00 – 20:00 at 115/6/20 Lò Siêu, Q 11 -- 0903832956
-  Thursdays, 19:00 - 20:30 at 115/6/20 Lò Siêu, Q 11 -- 0903832956
-  Fridays, 19:00 - 20:30 at 20.08 Quốc Cường Gia Lai Building, 421 Trần Xuân Soạn, Q 7 - 0988806796
-  Fridays, 18:30 – 20:30) at Bách Khoa Computer, 488 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Q 3 -- 0989934099; 0988806796
-  Saturdays,  10:00 - 11:00 at Yoga Việt Centre, 41 Phó Đức Chính, Q Bình Thạnh -- 0908926288
-  Sundays, 07:30 - 09:00 at Dáng Ngọc, 1 Huyền Trần Công Chúa, Q 1 -- 0919595889
-  Sunday mornings (no specific time listed) at Thiền Viện Vạn Hạnh - 716 Nguyễn Kiệm -- 8463232;  8443416
-  Thiền Viện Nguyên Thủy (no specific schedule listed) - 33A, 10 St, Q 2 -- 0837420214; 0902533086; 0909832842

Actually meditation is unpopular in Vietnam especially if you compare it to Thailand or Myanmar . Even the monks and clergy dont practice meditation but rather a pure land sort of religion which is much more about ancestor worship and devotion than meditation . If even the monks dont meditate then it is hardly surprising that the general poulation dont either .
Thank you for your list of contacts . I have been working through them without any success so far and none expected either  I guess we are just waiting for some expat with enough experience to start a group . I would do so myself but lack the knowledge and experience . Thanks again .