# Things To Do

Thang Tam Temple – Whale Temple Vung Tau

Thang Tam Temple, or the Whale Temple in Vung Tau is a hidden gem missed by many tourists when they visit this coastal city. However, this place is more interesting and rich in history and culture than what people think, making it one of the best places to visit in Vung Tau City.

Thang Tam Temple location

Thang Tam Temple (or Whale Temple) is located at 05 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Thang Tam, Vung Tau City. Visitors can easily find it at the crossroads between Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street and Hoang Hoa Tham Street.

Thang Tam Temple is a historical site dedicated to the founders of Thang Tam fishing village and the Whale God. This is one of the three village temples in Vung Tau and the most well-preserved among them.

History

1820

In the year of Dragon, 1820, the temple was established and built with the Main Hall and The Tiền Hiền Shrine. This shrine honors the village’s founders and contributors who built, maintained, and restored the temple; it also honors the heroes and martyrs.

Initially, the temple was constructed using bamboo and leaves.

1824

In 1824, the Nam Hải Whale Shrine was built inside the temple complex. This shrine worships Nam Hải Cự Tộc Ngọc Lân Chi Thần (a whale deity).

1832

In 1832, the Ngũ Hành Shrine was built to worship the Five Elements Goddesses – Thiên Y A Na, Thủy Long Thần Nữ.

1835

In 1835, the temple underwent significant renovations, and one of the major improvements was the replacement of the original bamboo and leaf roof with a more durable and aesthetically pleasing tiled roof.

1845 to 1850

From 1845 to 1850, the Thang Tam Temple complex received 13 royal decrees in total.

1865

By 1965, the temple underwent a complete reconstruction, resulting in the solid and permanent structure that stands today.

1991

On March 25, 1991, the Thang Tam Temple, Nam Hải Whale Shrine, and Ngũ Hành Shrine were recognized and ranked as a national cultural and historical site by the Ministry of Culture and Information, now known as the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Present days

Nowadays, Thang Tam Temple stands as a well-preserved and significant cultural and historical site in Vung Tau. It continues to serve as a place of worship and community gatherings.

Structure

Tam Quan (Three-Door Temple) Gate

Tam Quan (Three-Door Temple) Gate or the Three-Entrance Gate (Nghi Mon) has a roof with yin-yang tiles. On the top, there are four decorative reliefs featuring:

Dragons on the top
Crouching tigers (front side – left)
Carp turning into dragons (front side – right)
The Eight Immortals crossing the sea (backside – right)

Thang Tam Temple

This is the main part of the temple, located in the middle of the temple grounds, built in the traditional Southern Vietnamese style. Inside the temple, there are:

The Tiền Hiền Shrine

The roof has yin-yang tiles, with decorative dragons facing the moon on top. The columns are carved with dragon designs, and the altars are painted with red and gold.
This shrine honors the village’s founders who worked hard to establish and maintain the temple, as well as the heroes and martyrs from Vung Tau who sacrificed their lives in Thắng Tam. Inside, there are four altars dedicated to the Earth God, the founders (Tiền Hiền), the successors (Hậu Hiền), and the ancestors (Tiền Vãng – Hậu Vãng).

The Middle Hall (Đình Trung)

This area is similar in structure to the Tiền Hiền Shrine and has 10 altars, including those for the God of Agriculture (Thần Nông), the Goddess Thiên Y A Na, the Five Virtues (Ngũ Đức), the Saint Phi, the Hậu Hiền, the Council (Hội Đồng), the Judge (Phụ Án – Cao Các), the Heavenly Master (Thiên Sư), the Five Offerings (Ngũ Thơ), and the Five Ancestors (Ngũ Tự – Tiền Hiền).

The Stage of Art (Sân khấu Võ Ca)

It is used for traditional ceremonies, opera performances, and singing during temple festivals.

The Main Hall

This is where the temple committee, members, village officials, and site managers meet, work, and hold gatherings. It also serves as the venue for receiving guests, conducting village affairs, and hosting annual temple festivals.

Ngũ Hành Shrine (Five Elements Goddesses Shrine)

Etablished in 1832, the temple is dedicated to five goddesses representing Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, as well as two national guardian goddesses, Thiên Y A Na and Thủy Long Thần Nữ. Kings Thiệu Trị and Tự Đức honored these deities with the title “Thượng Đẳng Thần” in 1845, 1846, and 1850.

Inside the main hall, there are several altars:

The Eastern Altar honors Cậu Tài and Cậu Quý.
The Western Altar is dedicated to the concubine Hồng Hạnh Liễu Thái Xuân Tri.
There are also altars for Quan Thánh, the Earth God (Ông Địa), the Wealth God (Thần Tài), and three altars for the ancestors (Tiền Hiền) behind the main hall.

Nam Hải Whale Shrine (Southern Sea Whale Shrine)

Established in 1824, the shrine is dedicated to Nam Hải Cự Tộc Ngọc Lân Chi Thần. Kings Thiệu Trị and Tự Đức honored this deity with three titles in 1845, 1846, and 1850.

Inside the main hall of the shrine, you will find:

An altar with an 18-meter-long whale skeleton (Cá Ông) that washed ashore in 1831 at Bãi Sau beach in Vũng Tàu.
Two side altars for the Lý ngư (carp transforming into dragons).
The Eastern and Western altars, which house 180 whale skeletons.
An altar for the Goddess Bà (Thần Rùa).
An altar for the music ancestors (Tổ nhạc ngũ âm).
Three altars for the village founders (Tiền hiền) behind the main hall.

What to see

Ancient Vietnamese structure

The temple showcases traditional Southern Vietnamese architecture. The Three-Entrance Gate (Nghi Mon) has a roof with yin-yang tiles and is adorned with intricate reliefs of dragons, tigers, and mythical scenes. Inside, the Tiền Hiền Shrine and Main Hall feature ornate dragon-carved columns and red and gold painted altars, reflecting the craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of the era.

History and Culture

Established in 1820, Thang Tam Temple is a significant cultural and historical site. It honors the founders of the Thang Tam fishing village and local heroes. The temple complex includes shrines and altars dedicated to various deities and ancestors, emphasizing the deep-rooted traditions and beliefs of the local community. Annual festivals, especially the Nghinh Ong Festival, celebrate the temple’s spiritual heritage and draw visitors from near and far.

18-Meter-Long Whale Skeleton

One of the temple’s most remarkable features is the Lang Ong Nam Hai Whale Shrine, which houses an impressive 18-meter-long whale skeleton. This whale, which washed ashore in 1831, is revered as a guardian spirit of the sea. The shrine also contains 180 other whale skeletons, reflecting the local fishermen’s reverence for the Whale God (Cá Ông), believed to protect them and bring good fortune.