An Son Shrine is dedicated to Lady Phi Yen (Lê Thị Răm), the second consort of Lord Nguyễn Phúc Ánh (later Emperor Gia Long). Her life story, marked by loyalty, sacrifice, and tragedy, has been preserved in the collective memory of Côn Đảo’s people for more than two centuries.
A Loyal Counsel That Changed Her Fate
In 1783, while fleeing to Côn Đảo to escape the pursuit of the Tây Sơn forces, Nguyễn Ánh planned to send his young son, Prince Hội An (commonly called Prince Cải), to France with Bishop Pigneau de Béhaine as a political hostage.
Lady Phi Yen earnestly advised against the plan:
“The conflict with the Tây Sơn is our internal affair. Seeking help from foreign forces, even if victorious, will bring neither honor nor peace for the future.”
Her sincere counsel enraged Nguyễn Ánh. Believing she supported the Tây Sơn, he spared her life at the request of loyal officials but ordered her imprisonment in a remote cave on a small islet southwest of the archipelago—now known as Hon Ba.
The Loss of Her Son and the Tragedy at An Hai
Soon after, Nguyễn Ánh received news that the Tây Sơn fleet was heading toward the island. He left Côn Đảo in haste. Prince Cải cried and begged for his mother, only to be seized in anger and thrown into the sea. His body washed ashore in Co Ong Village, where the locals later built a shrine to honor him—Thiếu Gia Shrine.
According to legend, a white gibbon and a black tiger rescued Lady Phi Yen from the cave and brought her to Co Ong Village, where villagers gave her shelter near her son’s grave.
In the 10th lunar month of 1785, during a ceremonial festival in An Hai Village, she was invited to attend. That night, the butcher Biện Thi attempted to violate her. Lady Phi Yen cried for help, and the villagers apprehended the man immediately. Overwhelmed by grief, humiliation, and her unwavering commitment to virtue, she took her own life, leaving the world at only 25 years old.
The villagers buried her with honor and erected An Son Shrine to commemorate “the faithful and virtuous lady.”
The Annual Memorial – A Deeply Rooted Cultural Tradition
Every year, on the 18th day of the 10th lunar month, the people of Côn Đảo hold a solemn memorial ceremony for Lady Phi Yen. The festival is divided into two main parts:
The Festival (Hội)
- Folk games such as catching insects, foot-passing balls, and tug of war
- Traditional “đờn ca tài tử” musical performances
- Reenactments of Lady Phi Yen’s life
- Children’s cultural shows
The Ritual (Lễ)
- Incense offering and opening rites by the ceremonial master
- Offerings presented by representatives from all residential quarters
- Prayers made by locals and visitors
For the people of Côn Đảo, Lady Phi Yen is revered as a protective goddess who blesses the community with peace, prosperity, and harmony. Her memorial day reflects Vietnam’s timeless values of gratitude, fidelity, and moral integrity.
A Recognized Cultural and Spiritual Landmark
On April 18, 2007, the Provincial People’s Committee of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu officially recognized An Son Shrine as a provincial-level cultural–historical relic.
Today, alongside the Special National Relic System of Côn Đảo, An Son Shrine has become an essential spiritual destination for tourists. It offers a meaningful space where visitors can reflect, honor the past, and find peace amid the island’s sacred atmosphere.
