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When traveling to La Gi, Bình Thuận, in addition to exploring popular destinations like Coco Beach, Doi Duong Beach, and Cam Binh Beach, make sure to spend time at Dinh Thầy Thím – a nationally recognized cultural and historical site, as well as a renowned spiritual spot in the area.
How to get to Dinh Thầy Thím
Dinh Thầy Thím is located in Tan Tien Commune, La Gi Town, Bình Thuận Province. It is approximately 50km from Phan Thiet city center and about 180km from Ho Chi Minh City. Depending on your departure point, you can follow the suggested routes below to reach the site:
From Ho Chi Minh City: Follow National Road 1A, and when you reach the intersection at Km 46, turn right onto National Road 55 (heading to La Gi Town). Continue for about 18km to the town center. From there, ask for Nguyen Chi Thanh Street and continue straight until you reach Thầy Thím bus station, where you'll find a turnoff with signs directing you to Dinh.
From Phan Thiet City: Take DT719 (the coastal road), pass by Ke Ga Cape, and when you reach the intersection with Le Thanh Ton Street, turn left and continue straight until you reach Thầy Thím bus station. There you'll find a sign directing you to Dinh Thầy Thím.
The Tam Quan Gate of Dinh Thầy Thím - Photo: Internet
A brief introduction to Dinh Thầy Thím
Nestled in the heart of Bàu Cái forest, within the boundaries of Tam Tân village, Tan Tien commune, Dinh Thầy Thím is a renowned historical and cultural site that attracts numerous visitors. People come here to admire its beauty, make offerings, and pay respects, especially during the grave visiting ritual on the 5th day of the lunar new year and the Dinh Thầy festival on the full moon of the 9th lunar month every year.
The Dinh Thầy Thím Festival is celebrated on the full moon of the 9th lunar month every year - Photo collection
Dinh Thầy Thím is architecturally designed like a communal house, featuring various structures such as the Tam Quan gate, Võ ca, the main hall, the Hổ deity temple, the Thành hoàng temple, the Tiền hiền ancestral hall, and the Hậu hiền ancestral hall. All buildings are intricately carved, showcasing the elaborate style of imperial architecture.
In addition, there are sculptures and bas-reliefs on the walls, columns, and rooftops, reconstructed by Hue artisans. Notably, the bas-reliefs in the courtyard evoke a deep sense of reverence, encouraging visitors to remember their roots.
The Temple of Thầy Thím - Photo: Internet
When planning an affordable tour to Dinh Thầy Thím, visitors not only have the chance to admire the temple and offer prayers but also to learn about the legendary tale of Thầy Thím. According to a stone tablet in front of the temple, the story goes that a couple, fleeing from a false charge of the king, rode a dragon into the land of Tam Tân. On their journey, one of them accidentally dropped a shoe in Tân Thiện (now part of Tân Thiện ward, La Gi town), where the locals erected a shrine to honor Thầy Thím.
The couple eventually settled in Tam Tân, where Thầy Thím spent their days healing people and living peacefully in the deep forest, respected by both humans and animals. After their passing, the animals constructed a tomb for them, and the locals came to pay their respects and offer prayers. Even in death, the couple continued to protect the villagers. A peculiar event occurred every year during the tomb sweeping ceremony when a pair of black and white tigers would come to kneel before the tomb. Word of this reached Emperor Tự Đức, who, after investigating, cleared the couple's name and bestowed the title 'Chí đức tiên sinh' upon Thầy and 'Chí đức nương nương' upon Thím, allowing the people to build a temple in their honor.
The statues of the Black Tiger and White Tiger - Photo: Tamngu
The temple area is filled with the shade of ancient trees, offering plenty of stone benches for visitors to rest and relax. After visiting the temple, guests can travel about 3 km west to reach the Thầy Thím tomb area. Here, there are four graves (two for Thầy Thím and two for the pair of black and white tigers), all made from fine white sand. Surrounding the tombs are towering oil trees mixed with star and mahogany trees, creating the feeling of walking through a forest where the soft music of nature harmonizes with the gentle rustling of the wind.
If you're taking a domestic trip to Dinh Thầy Thím, you can continue on for another 1 or 2 km to reach Tam Tân Beach – a pristine and tranquil coastal area. Here, you can enjoy the beach, swim, and even set up camp. Nearby, there are numerous guesthouses and hotels, so you don't need to worry about accommodation if you plan to stay for two or three days.
