1. Where is Phuoc Duc old temple?
Phuoc Duc old temple, also known as Teochew Chinese Assembly Hall of Bac Lieu, is located at 74 Dien Bien Phu street, ward 3, Bac Lieu city, Bac Lieu province, Vietnam. It is about 2.5 km south of Bac Lieu city bus station and about 258 km southwest of Ho Chi Minh city.
2. How is Phuoc Duc old temple unique?
This is the oldest temple of the Chinese living in Bac Lieu, built in the early years of the 20th century. Initially, this was a place to worship the gods who protected the lives of the people. But later, it also became a center for teaching Chinese to local Chinese children.
With its great historical and artistic value, the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized Phuoc Duc Old Temple as a National Historical – Cultural Relic.
3. When is the best time to visit Phuoc Duc Old Temple?
For the best experience, you should visit Phuoc Duc Old Temple from January to April of the lunar calendar every year, when the traditional festival is held here. During this time, you will enjoy traditional cultural activities of the local people, along with exploring the unique architecture of the ancient temple.
4. How to get to Phuoc Duc Old Temple?
Phuoc Duc Old Temple is located in the central area of Bac Lieu city. Moreover, the traffic infrastructure here is quite developed and convenient for traveling. Therefore, you can easily get here by means of transport such as bicycles, motorbikes, private cars or taxis.
Starting from Bac Lieu city bus station, you move along Nguyen Huu Nghia, Tran Phu, Hai Ba Trung, Mai Thanh The streets. And to Dien Bien Phu street about 2.5 km to the South is this ancient temple.
5. Opening hours and entrance fees to Phuoc Duc old temple
5.1 Opening hours:
- From: 6:00 to 16:00 every day.
5.2 Entrance fee:
- Entrance fee: Free.
6. History of formation and development of Phuoc Duc old temple
Phuoc Duc old temple was built by a group of Chinese people around 1810. Initially, the temple was built with simple trees and leaves to worship gods according to Chinese folk beliefs. Such as: Bon Dau Cong (Ong Bon), Quan De, Than Nong, Tho Cong, Ong Ba Cong Mau,…
Because Ong Bon was worshiped, it was called “Ong Bon temple”. Later, it was renamed “Phuoc Duc ancient temple”. Because the Chinese believed that Bon Dau Cong was also the main god of Phuoc Duc. This is a god who is considered to have contributed to reclaiming land and helping people to settle down and have a peaceful life.
In 1903, Trieu Chau state was established, headquartered at Phuoc Duc old temple, in a large room next to the West wing, so it was also called Bang pagoda.
Not only a place to worship gods, Phuoc Duc old temple was also a base for revolutionary activities. It was the place where Long Thanh village Party cell, Vinh Loi district, Bac Lieu province, with comrade Nguyen Van Dang as secretary, operated from 1930 to 1954.
7. Discovering the unique architecture of Phuoc Duc old temple
From a small temple with a modest area. After many renovations, the temple today has an area of 580 m2, following the architecture of the Chinese character Quoc. This is a style of royal architecture of the Ming Dynasty in China.
In addition, the entire temple is a large-scale and perfect architectural work of art, it exudes a majestic and ancient beauty. All the columns, rafters, slanting heads, jacks, and altars are made of stone and precious wood. They are all meticulously, elaborately, and delicately carved with gilded Chinese characters, in the style of Han Shu and Kai Shu.
Moreover, all of them represent themes such as: Four sacred animals (dragon, unicorn, turtle, phoenix), grass, trees, flowers, leaves, human figures, and sacred animals. In addition, the horizontal lacquered boards and parallel sentences are also splendidly lacquered and gilded. On the roof of the temple is a pair of dragons facing the sun (luong long trieu duong). This is the most popular image decorated on Chinese temples, symbolizing eternal happiness.
In particular, with a roof covered with tubular tiles, the eaves are made of green glazed ceramic, the end of the roof is decorated with dragon and dragon patterns. On both sides are two small ceramic statues symbolizing yin and yang, the origin of all harmony and discipline of all things. Each part of the temple is considered an antique with high artistic value.
In addition, with sustainable materials, Phuoc Duc old temple has existed solidly to this day. These works of art have been harmoniously and tightly linked together by artisans to create a unique architectural whole.
8. Special festivals when visiting Phuoc Duc old temple
Every year, Phuoc Duc old temple organizes major festivals. Such as: Ong Bon Festival; Vu Lan Festival; Ky Yen Festival,… People held the biggest festival is the Ong Bon Festival on the 29th day of the third lunar month. And the Vu Lan Festival on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month.
9. Enjoying Bac Lieu specialties when traveling to Phuoc Duc old temple
When traveling to Phuoc Duc old temple, you can not only admire the unique architecture of this work. But you also have the opportunity to enjoy the rustic but extremely unique dishes in this beautiful land. The extremely attractive dishes that you cannot miss are: Bac Lieu radish cake, Palm Weevil, Ngan Dua rice cake, Seafood, Banh Xeo. Or spicy beef noodle soup, goby fish cooked with vinegar, coconut worm, Ba Khia, fish sauce hotpot.
10. Accommodation when traveling to Phuoc Duc old temple
When visiting this historical site, you can refer to some of the following accommodations:
- Bac Lieu Hotel. Address: 4-6 Hoang Van Thu, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu Province.
- Cong Tu Bac Lieu Hotel. Address: No. D13, Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 3, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu Province.
- A Dong Hotel. Address: 2/8 National Highway 1A, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu Province.
- Chi Hieu Homestay. Address: Tran Van Tat, Ward 1, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu Province.
- Dream Palace Hotel. Address: Chau Hung, Vinh Loi, Bac Lieu.
- Hoang Kim Hotel. Address: No. 1 Tran Huynh, Ward 8, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu Province.
- Sunrise Hotel Bac Lieu. Address: Vincom Villa Area, Apartment HG, 37 – 39 Tran Huynh, Ward 7, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu Province.
- Royal Hotel Bac Lieu. Address: 8 Phan Dinh Phung, Ward 3, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu Province.
Phuoc Duc ancient temple is not only a spiritual place for local people. It has also become a beautiful feature of the cultural identity of the Chinese people in Bac Lieu. Join Origin Vietnam – a reputable tour operator. We will accompany you on the Mekong delta tour to combine visiting this ancient temple with unforgettable memories.
