🏛️ Brief History of Ba Thien Hau Temple – Tue Thanh Assembly Hall Ba Thien Hau Temple, officially known as the Tue Thanh Assembly Hall, was built around 1760 by the Cantonese Chinese community who had settled in Cholon (now District 5, Ho Chi Minh City). Originally, it served as a gathering place for people from the same hometown, where they could support each other and worship Thien Hau, the Sea Goddess who protects seafarers and migrants.
Over time, the temple has undergone multiple restorations but still retains its original spiritual and architectural charm. In 1993, it was recognized as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument, underscoring its deep historical and cultural value.
🏯 Visitor Experience & Review 📍 Location & Architecture Located at 710 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, the temple stands in the heart of the Chinatown area. Its structure follows the traditional Chinese layout in the shape of the character "國" (Guó), comprising a front hall, central hall, and rear hall with open-air courtyards for ventilation and natural light. The curved tiled roofs, ceramic reliefs, and delicately carved dragons reflect the refined craftsmanship of the past.
🙏 Spiritual Atmosphere Ba Thien Hau Temple is one of the most sacred places in Ho Chi Minh City. Locals come here to pray for peace, burn incense, and draw fortune sticks. The most important celebration is Thien Hau’s birthday on the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month, when the temple hosts a vibrant festival with processions, lion dances, and thousands of worshippers.
🎨 Cultural & Artistic Value The temple preserves over a hundred antique artifacts, including carved wooden altars, bronze censers, ceremonial drums, and calligraphy plaques. It serves not only as a place of worship but also as a living museum of Chinese-Vietnamese cultural heritage.
🎯 Recommendation: Ba Thien Hau Temple – Tue Thanh Assembly Hall is a must-visit if you're exploring the spiritual and cultural roots of Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinese community. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a cultural traveler, or a photographer, this place offers a profound and peaceful experience in the heart of the...
Read moreChùa Bà Thiên Hậu - Tuệ Thành Hội Quán is a famous temple in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is located in the city's Chinatown area, also known as Cho Lon, and is dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of the sea and protector of sailors.
The temple was built by the Cantonese community in the late 18th century and features a blend of Chinese and Vietnamese architectural styles. The front entrance of the temple is adorned with elaborate woodcarvings and colorful ceramic mosaics, depicting scenes from Chinese mythology and legends.
Inside the temple, visitors can see a statue of Thien Hau, as well as other deities worshipped by the Cantonese community. The temple is also famous for its intricate wood carvings, including a dragon and phoenix carved from a single block of wood.
Adjacent to the temple is the Tuệ Thành Hội Quán, a historical and cultural landmark of the Cantonese community in Ho Chi Minh City. Built in 1760, the Hội Quán served as a gathering place for Cantonese merchants and a center for cultural and religious activities. The building is adorned with ornate woodcarvings and porcelain mosaics, and features an altar dedicated to the god of wealth and prosperity.
Overall, Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu - Tuệ Thành Hội Quán is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Cantonese community in Ho...
Read moreWhen the Chinese people arrived in Southern Vietnam hundreds of years ago, they also brought along their culture and religion with them, which helped diversify the culture of the region. In the 17th century, a group of Chinese immigrants built Thien Hau Pagoda to worship Thien Hau (Mazu), a Chinese deity.
Since then, the pagoda has been restored several times. Worshiping Thien Hau is still a traditional custom of the Chinese people living in the city nowadays.
In front of the pagoda, there is an altar of Phuc Duc Chinh Than (God of Land) on the right and an altar of Mon Quan Vuong Ta (God of Gatekeeping) on the left. There are stone steles telling the legend of Thien Hau, along with paintings of her appearing on the waves.
In the central hall of Thien Hau pagoda, there is a set of 5 delicately sculpted urns. On the sides are a dragon boat figure and an ancient palanquin. They are used for the festival of the pagoda, which is dedicated to the day of her passing.
The back hall is also the main hall of Thien Hau Pagoda, which consists of 3 compartments:
The middle chamber has a statue of Thien Hau, which was carved from an ancient wood block and is 1 meter tall. Next to her statue are two other deity statues. The two sub-chambers have statues of Quan Thanh (Guan Yu, a Chinese general), Dia Tang (a Bodhisattva in Buddhism), and Than Tai...
Read more