Thiên Hậu temple is located at 4 Nguyen Du Street, Thu Dau Mot city, Binh Duong. Also called Holy Lady temple, this is a famous worshiping site as well as an important religious place built by the Chinese community in Vietnam to devote to Goddess of the Sea.
Thiên Hậu temple consists of three blocks: the main hall in the middle with three words “Thiên Hậu Palace” and two sides considered as West and East hall of the temple. Four words “Quoc Thai Dan An” and couplets praising the merit of Goddess of the Sea were inscribed on two main doors and on two sides respectively. Right in front of the gate is a large incense-burner. The front roof is tiled in traditional yin-yang application with embossed veins and adorned with “carp turning into a dragon” and “two dragons moving around a flaming pearl”. Two sides of the roof are decorated with statues of “Moon Goddess”, statues of military and civil mandarin,… sculpted in Chinese style. The main hall is used to worship Goddess of the Sea, where the statue is decorated with a solemn crown. There is also a worshiping area of Mr. Bon (Bon eunuch) on the right while five ladies of five-element Goddess symbolizing for metal, wood, water, fire and earth are placed on the other side. There are panels saying Tuc Tinh – Hoi Ti hung on both sides of the main hall with a view to reminding people of being dignified whenever Thiên Hậu palanquin on the way. The second one is titled Thiên Hậu Nguyen Quan, also known as the God of wealth. The pairs of boards were arranged in order both in the temple and in parade.
Particularly, on full moon day of the first lunar month every year, Thiên Hậu Festival is one of the largest cultural festivals in Binh Duong with many special activities, which attracts thousands of visitors coming here. On this day, the temple is splendidly decorated with flags and lanterns from the gate to the inside. People celebrate this festival to create a connection between the goddess and human, bringing the sacredness to their daily life. Besides, this is also an occasion when people can have fun in the atmosphere of traditional religious beliefs.
The custom of “Ask for Thiên Hậu luck” takes place on 14th of the first lunar month. This action is believed to bring light and fortune to the family. On the next day – 15th, the palanquin parade is set off and attracts a large number of people joining in, making this the most interesting part of the festival. Besides, unicorn dance with over 30 units also creates a crowded and exciting atmosphere, where people can freely relax themselves without any stress of daily life.
