Lăng Ông Thủy Tướng - A Sacred Destination for the People of Cần Giờ

Lăng Ông Thủy Tướng is revered as a spiritual symbol not only for the residents of Cần Giờ but also for the entire nation, attracting numerous visitors during festive occasions. Here, you can witness the 12-meter-long skeleton of the revered Sea God.

Lăng Ông Thủy Tướng - A Sacred Destination for the People of Cần Giờ

Lăng Ông Thủy Tướng was constructed in 1911, located on Hoàng Hoa Thám Street, Can Thanh Commune, Can Gio District. The prominent feature of the monument is the site where the 12-meter-long skeleton of the Sea God is worshipped. For fishermen in the Southern region, the Sea God is considered a maritime deity, always aiding boats in navigating through rough seas and strong winds. As such, they hold great reverence for this fish species. Whenever the Sea God's body is found washed ashore, locals hold funerals and carefully bury the remains.

In the center of the shrine lies an intricately decorated altar adorned with many dragon-shaped ornaments, creating a visually stunning sight. Behind the main altar are 3 large glass cabinets containing fish bones. The left cabinet holds the bones of the smaller Sea God. You will sense the sacredness of this place as soon as you step foot here.

In addition to the Sea God (the whale), Lăng Ông Thủy Tướng also pays homage to other sea deities such as Hà Bá, Thủy Quang, and Ngọc Lân, praying for favorable weather, national prosperity, and safety for sailors.

Especially, the ritual of worshipping the Sea God – a characteristic of the coastal provinces in the Southeast region – is still preserved to this day. Every year, on the 17th of the 8th lunar month, the Whale Temple holds a grand worshipping festival, bearing the distinctive traits of Southern culture. During the festival, people pray for favorable weather and smooth sailing in all endeavors.

Every day, the Whale Temple welcomes visitors from all over the world, especially crowded on weekends. On the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month each year, Can Gio District organizes the traditional festival of 'Nghinh Ông' to honor the Whale and other deities. The main days of the festival are from the 14th to the 17th of the eighth lunar month, but preparations begin long before.

With its ancient historical, cultural, and architectural values, the Can Thanh Whale Temple was recognized by the city authorities as a city-level architectural and artistic relic in 2012.

According to Mytour

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Reference: Travel Handbook by Mytour