Buzz
Van Thuy Tu Mansion is a famous tourist spot in Phan Thiet, displaying the largest whale skeleton in Vietnam and setting records in the Southeast Asian region.
Explore Phan Thiet with a visit to the largest Southeast Asian whale bone museum.
Constructed in 1762, the Vạn Thủy Tú Mansion, formerly located by the sea, facing the East Sea, is where a 22-meter long whale once drifted ashore. According to local beliefs, it symbolizes gratitude for the whale's protection of fishermen during challenging days at sea. Today, the mansion is situated on Ngư Ông Street, Đức Thắng Ward, Phan Thiet City.
The mansion is renowned nationally and internationally for its unique and rare features, preserving numerous historical and cultural artifacts related to the formation and development of the Binh Thuan fishing industry in particular and the South Central region in general. This site houses 24 royal decrees of the Nguyen dynasty, as the Nguyen generals were often rescued by whales at sea. Additionally, the mansion features Hán-Nôm cultural heritage, majestic gates, and couplets on a bronze bell that is over 140 years old.
When visiting the mansion, after passing through the triple gate, to the left is Ngọc Lân Holy Land - a spacious area for burying the whale, and to the right is the display area of the skeleton of Nam Hai (grey whale) - preserving the gigantic skeleton measuring 22 meters in length, weighing 65 tons, almost fully restored.
Upon entering, you'll encounter the ancestral altar dedicated to Nam Hai Cư Tộc Ngọc Lân Tôn Thần (also known as the Nam Hai God – the Whale God). On the left is the altar for Thủy Long Thánh Phi Nương Nương, and on the right is the altar for Hi Hoàng Thái Hiệu, a revered teacher. This unique feature distinguishes it from other temples in the Central region. To this day, the central area of the temple preserves over 100 whale skeletons, nearly half of which date back 100 to 150 years, with some impressively large skeletons venerated with great solemnity.
Behind the main temple dedicated to 'Past virtue, present virtue, future virtue' – honoring those who contributed to the establishment of the fishing village – visitors have the opportunity to try holding a ghè tube, an ancient ceramic vase standing 20cm tall with a 12cm wide mouth.
According to the legend of the whale, when the temple was completed, a storm raged for three days. Some fishing boats were stranded offshore, and the whale came to their rescue. Unfortunately, the whale perished due to exhaustion while guiding the fishermen's boats to safety.
Scientists explain that the phenomenon of whales rescuing people is attributed to the large waves during storms. The whales seek a stable point to withstand the tempest, and by leaning against the fishermen's boats, both become more secure. Eventually, both are carried to the shore by the waves. Sometimes the whale succumbs to exhaustion, while other times it safely returns to the open sea as the sea calms down.
Additional Information:
– How to get there: Vạn Thủy Tú Mansion is approximately 1 km from the center of Phan Thiet city, situated at the intersection of Ngư Ông and Phan Chu Trinh streets in Đức Thắng Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province.
Entrance Fee: Children 20,000 VND, Adults 40,000 VND.
Opening Hours: from 7 am to 5 pm.
Source: VnExpress
***
Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourNovember 11, 2019
