Explore special ancient temple in Vung Tau

November 24, 2016 | 11:01

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Hon Ba Temple in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau is one of the most special temples in Vietnam. It was built in 1781 to worship the Thuy Long goddess.

Hon Ba (the Lady Island), also known as “Ba Vien Dan” (three cannon rounds) or Archinard Island, is a small island in Vung Tau City. Hon Ba Temple or Lady Temple is located on the island.

The temple was built in 1881 by a follower named Ho Quang Minh. From the foot of the island to the temple runs a winding road with solid three-step at its end.

In 1939, Archinard, a Frenchman officer, aimed three cannon rounds at the temple for the purpose to demolish it, but only one hit the corner of the temple.

Not much damage was made. Soon after that, the officer lost his life with his own gun due to his carelessness.

That is why the island is called “Three cannon rounds” or Archinard. Local people, however, call it Hon Ba.

In 1971, a migrant from Tra Vinh named Thanh Phong called upon locals to contribute resources to restoring the temple.

The present temple is 4m above the surface of the earth. Inside the temple, there is a 6mx3m cell, once used as a place for secret meeting of patriots.

Each year, there are four major offerings at the temple, which are in lunar January, April, July and October.

Hon Ba is now famous for travelers as it is not only a tourist attraction, but also a spiritual destination for cultural and religious visitors.