3. Thang Tam Temple Relic Site

This is an architectural complex including Thang Tam Temple, Ba Ngu Hanh Temple and Nam Hai Mausoleum (Ca Ong). The architectures are intertwined in the religious relationship of seafarers and fishermen in Thang Tam village.

Thang Tam Temple

Thang Tam Temple was built during the reign of King Minh Mang (1820-1840); this is also a place to worship the gods of the Dai Can Quoc Gia Nam Hai Thuong Dang Than – Ca Ong, Thien Y A Na Diem Ngoc Phi, Thuy Long Than Nu, Nam Hai Cuu Toc Ngoc Lan, Than Hoang.

Thang Tam Temple was originally just a cottage. In 1835, the roof was tiled, and then it was restored many times. In 1965, the Temple was renovated as it is now. Thang Tam Temple architecture consists of Tam Quan gate, Tien Hien house, Hall, Dinh Trung, and the martial arts stage designed in a serial way, including a row of 4 houses connected by a side aisle. In the Temple, there are many ceremonial items of exquisite carvings and splendid gold paint. The special feature of the Temple is that right in the Temple, there is a giant fish skeleton that was picked up by Vung Tau fishermen more than 100 years ago.

Thang Tam Temple annually organizes Ky Yen/Cau An festival for 4 days, from February 17 to 20 of the Lunar calendar. This is the end and beginning of a fish harvest season.
Days of the Ky Yen festival are really entertaining for both visitors and locals. Come to be immersed in the sound of lion dance drums, in the sound of the drums for Boi singing… bustling all over the region for a few days and nights, to participate in a special cultural activity hidden various beauty of fishermen in Vung Tau sea.

Mieu Ba

Mieu Ba, also known as Ngu Hanh Temple, is located to the left of Thang Tam Temple (located at Nghinh Phong Cape, back beach). Mieu Ba was built in 1832. At first, the building was just a cottage built by Thang Tam fishermen. In addition to worshipping the Five Elements, Mieu Ba also worships the two Guardian Nations appointed by the King as the Supreme god, Ba Thien Y A Na and Thuy Long Than Nu.

On an annual basis, Mieu Ba organizes a three-day festival from October 16 to 18 of the lunar calendar. Temple management and festival organization are all in charge of women, with three advisors, six ecutive officers and 160 members, all of whom are women.

Mieu Ba Festival is a vibrant and festive day. In addition to god worship, people also organize lion dance and fun games, and organize tuong singing at night, both offer to the gods and serve the locals who admire the sacredness of Mieu Ba, and many visitors return to this site to worship.

Ca Ong Mausoleum

It is located just to the right of Thang Tam Temple. Ca Ong Mausoleum was built at the same time as Mieu Ba, that is, around the end of the nineteenth century.

Ca Ong Mausoleum is of ancient architecture style. Inside are three large glass cabinets containing Ca Ong bones corresponding to three altars; on the left and right sides, there are two more altars of Ba Sau (Turtle God) and the music team. Vung Tau fishermen believe that whenever there is a dead Ca Ong rushing to the shore, the first person who sees it is considered the eldest son of Ca Ong. When burying Ong Fish, he must be mourned and perform funeral rituals as mourning for his father.

Currently, the mausoleum also preserves the giant fish skeleton recovered by Vung Tau fishermen more than 150 years ago.

Thang Tam Ca Ong Mausoleum has three titles, two were granted by King Thieu Tri in the fifth year (1845), and one was granted by King Tu Duc in the third year (1850). Currently, on the 16th day of the 8th lunar month, once every three years, the managers of the Mausoleum will take a part of the bone in the Mausoleum and worship it in three glass cabinets, which is called “Luong huu Van Lach”.

“Nam Hai Dai Tuong Quan” festival is held coincidently with the ephemeral day (day of his death) of ca ong, lasting for 3 days from August 16 to 18 of the lunar calendar every year, including: Cung Ong Ceremony and Nghinh Ong Ceremony; many splendidly decorated boats turn on lights and run around on the sea.