Dinh Cô Long Hải is a coastal shrine dedicated to Cô—a revered female deity long worshipped by local fishermen. In the past, the shrine was commonly known as the Temple of Lady Cô. Today, it stands as a prominent spiritual complex and scenic landmark of Long Hải Town, comprising Dinh Cô at the foot of Thùy Vân Mountain (Hải Sơn Quarter) and Mộ Cô (the Lady’s Tomb) on Cô Sơn Hill, about one kilometer to the east, surrounded by the sea on three sides.
Nestled between mountain and sea, Dinh Cô enjoys one of the most picturesque feng shui settings in Long Hải—backed by the mountain and facing the open sea. For this reason, mentioning Dinh Cô is not only to speak of the folk belief in the “Long Hải Sea Goddess”, but also to evoke an image of a sacred yet poetic seaside destination.
The Formation and Development of Dinh Cô
According to oral tradition, Dinh Cô originally began as a small shrine made of simple materials near the shoreline. Over time, due to tidal erosion and coastal changes, villagers relocated the shrine to the foot of Thùy Vân Mountain.
In 1930, local elders and residents contributed funds and labor to rebuild the shrine on a larger scale using brick, stone, and cement at its current location.
In 1987, a major fire destroyed much of the main sanctuary’s interior. Once again, the local community came together to restore the shrine. By 1989, a two-story Võ Ca hall was added in front of the main sanctuary, and in subsequent years, additional structures such as the Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) Bodhisattva platform and guest facilities were built.
After several renovations, Dinh Cô has grown into a dignified architectural complex facing the sea, covering an area of nearly 1,000 square meters.
The Legend of Lady Cô
According to folk legends and historical accounts, Cô was a young unmarried woman who died tragically at sea and later manifested spiritual powers to protect fishermen. The most widely known story in Long Hải recounts that her name was Lê Thị Hồng, originally from central Vietnam. While traveling south with her father on a trading journey, she met with misfortune, and her body drifted ashore at Hòn Hang (Long Hải).
Local fishermen buried her on a sandy hill—now known as Mộ Cô on Cô Sơn Hill. Later, when epidemics struck the area, villagers prayed for help and believed that Cô intervened, helping them overcome disaster. From then on, a shrine was established, and she was honored as the protective sea deity of Long Hải, blessing fishermen on every voyage.
Although different versions of the legend exist, they all share common elements: Cô was a chaste young woman, died unjustly, possessed spiritual power, and has both a recognized tomb and shrine closely tied to the spiritual life of Long Hải’s coastal community.
Nghinh Cô Festival – A Major Coastal Celebration
Every year, from the 10th to the 12th day of the second lunar month, Dinh Cô hosts the Nghinh Cô Festival, one of the largest and most distinctive sea festivals in southern Vietnam. Tens of thousands of visitors from Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province, the South Central Coast, the Mekong Delta, and beyond gather in Long Hải to take part.
The festival uniquely blends Mother Goddess worship, whale and sea deity beliefs, and the traditional fishermen’s prayer-for-safety ritual. The central ceremony is the Nghinh Cô procession at sea, where hundreds of colorfully decorated fishing boats escort Lady Cô’s spirit from the sea back to the shrine in an atmosphere that is both solemn and festive.
Beyond the rituals, the festival’s celebratory portion features vibrant cultural activities such as bả trạo chanting, bóng rỗi dance, classical opera (hát bội), boat and basket-boat races, and the release of birds as a symbolic act of compassion—creating a vivid portrait of coastal cultural life.
Cultural and Tourism Significance
Today, Dinh Cô Long Hải is not only a spiritual anchor for fishermen but also a notable cultural and religious tourism destination along Long Hải Beach. The Nghinh Cô Festival stands as a living expression of the rich spiritual heritage of Vietnam’s coastal communities, helping preserve and promote the distinctive cultural values of the southern seas.
For visitors seeking to understand Vietnam’s maritime beliefs, coastal traditions, and the deep bond between people and the sea, Dinh Cô Long Hải remains an essential stop on the journey along the shores of southern Vietnam.
