Van Thuy Tu Temple – 19 mins

Van Thuy Tu Temple is known as one of the oldest and largest temples of Binh Thuan marine industry. Built in the year of Nham Ngo 1762 to worship “Ca Ong” (Whale), inside is a place to worship nearly 100 whale skeletons. In addition, there are many Han-Nom cultural heritages related to sea craft, which are expressed through the content of worship in the diaphragms, worshiping objects, statues and inscriptions of Dai Hong Chung. Van Thuy Tu Temple is located on Ngu Ong Street, Duc Thang Ward, Phan Thiet City. 8km from Phu Hai Beach Resort & Spa. Admire the ancient beauty crafted through hundreds thousands of years while explore further customs and beliefs from the people of local fishermans.

From the outside to the inside, in the middle of the communal house will be the place of worship to worship the Nam Hai Cu ethnic group Ngoc Lan Ton god ie Mr. Nam Hai. The right side worships the Thai Emperor, the title of Tien Su Ton Than, the ancestor of agriculture and fishery. The left side worships Thuy Long Thanh consort Nuong Niang Ton god or Goddess of Water. In the back is a place to worship those who have openly destroyed the village and established the Van. In addition, next to the main hall, there is a shrine to worship Quan Thanh.

The custom of worshiping the fish has long become a beauty of folk beliefs in the central and southern coastal regions of Vietnam from Thanh Hoa to the entire southern coastal provinces. This is a long-standing belief of fishermen in the sea, also known as ten thousand fishes. Fishermen often worship Ca Ong and other gods who have helped and blessed the fishermen.

According to the old custom, fisherman who discovered a stranded whale or the custom called “he’s on the bank” had the duty to bury and mourn him like his own parents. Ca Ong’s body was bathed with wine and then wrapped in a red cloth. Then Ca Ong’s body was buried in the sand dunes near the sea. In the Nguyen Dynasty, anyone who discovered a stranded whale was worshiped by the people and exempted from collection for 3 years.

Every year, the villagers will choose a day to celebrate the death anniversary according to Nghinh Ong rite. After 3 years from the date of burial, the whale remains are washed and buried at Van Thuy Tu Temple according to a great traditional ritual. When offering “Ong”, the villagers also offer sacrifices to the fishermen who died at sea. After the ceremony ended, it was also time for cultural performances such as rowing boats, basket boat racing, tug of war, tuong singing and other games.

Van Thuy Tu Temple is also known for the largest “Ca Ong” skeleton in Southeast Asia. According to folklore, after the construction was completed, Van Thuy Tu Temple had a very large whale ashore in front of the Temple. Only the fishermen in the village and other members of the community were mobilized to bring him to be buried in the grounds of Van Thuy Tu Temple.

“Ca Ong” skeleton is preserved intact with a length of 22m and weighs 65 tons, identified as a grayback whale. Currently, this skeleton is up to 100 years old.

Operating hours: 07:00 – 17:30
Parking fees: 5,000 – 30,000 VND/vehicle