The Ngũ Hành Goddess Temple Festival is held annually on the 16th, 17th, and 18th days of the 10th lunar month, taking place at Hon Ba Temple (Back Beach) and Thang Tam Temple, two important spiritual centers of the coastal community in Vung Tau.
History of the Ngũ Hành Goddess Temple
The Ngũ Hành Temple was built in 1832 (Year of the Dragon) and has long been tied to the spiritual life of the three ancient coastal villages: Thắng Nhất – Thắng Nhì – Thắng Tam.
It is dedicated to the Five Element Goddesses (Ngũ Hành Nương Nương), worshipped by fishermen seeking peace, good weather, and safe voyages.
The temple was granted several royal decrees by the Nguyễn Dynasty:
- Emperor Thiệu Trị (1845–1846): 4 royal decrees honoring Thiên Y A Na Diễn Ngọc Phi – Supreme Goddess
- Emperor Tự Đức (1850): 2 decrees honoring Thiên Y A Na Thần Nữ and Thủy Long Goddess – Supreme Deities
The official plaque above the main altar reads “Ngũ Hành Temple,” but locals affectionately call it Miếu Bà (“Temple of the Lady”), as all the deities worshipped here are female guardians.
Together with Lang Ong Nam Hai and Thang Tam Temple, the Ngũ Hành Temple forms a significant cultural–spiritual complex for the people of Vung Tau.
The Ngũ Hành Goddess Temple Festival – A Vibrant Traditional Ceremony
The festival lasts three days (16–18/10 Lunar Calendar), featuring rituals deeply rooted in the cultural identity of coastal communities.
Lễ Nghinh Bà – The Procession to Welcome the Goddess
This is the most important ceremony of the festival.
Time: 6:00 AM on the 16th day of the 10th lunar month
The procession includes:
- Ritual leaders and ceremonial assistants
- Villagers in traditional attire
- Palanquins, Five-Element flags
- Drums, gongs, lion dancers…
The procession walks entirely on foot—from Hon Ba Temple (Back Beach) back to the Ngũ Hành Temple—following this route:
Hon Ba → Thuy Van Street → Phan Chu Trinh → Hoang Hoa Tham → Thang Tam Temple
Unlike the Nghinh Ong Whale God Festival, this procession does not use boats.
Main Rituals of the Festival
• 8:00 – 8:30 AM: Ceremony to Honor the Village Founders
A tribute to the pioneers who established the village and the temple.
• 11:00 AM: “Bóng Rỗi” & “Chầu Mời” Ritual Dance
Traditional female performers present golden and silver offering trays—an iconic Southern folk ritual.
• 12:00 noon: Main Five-Element Goddess Ceremony
Includes:
- Drum and gong opening
- 8 ceremonial assistants & 6 female ritual singers
- 4 women performing the roles of principal officiants
- Offering incense, wine, and tea
- “Goddess Possession Ceremony” (Bà nhập cốt):
A chosen medium conveys the blessings and messages of the Goddess to the villagers.
Afterwards, worshippers burn votive papers and offer prayers for peace, health, luck, and prosperous fishing.
Cultural Performances: Classical Opera & Folk Arts
Alongside the rituals, the festival also features:
- Classical hát bội performances:
Phan Thế Ngọc Đả Lôi Đài, Mai Trắng Xe Duyên, Sở Văn Cứu Giá… - Afternoon “trình tuồng” presentation
- Bóng rỗi dance, golden–silver tray dance
These activities help preserve the traditional folk performing arts of Southern Vietnam.
Cultural & Spiritual Significance
Today, the Ngũ Hành Goddess Temple Festival attracts thousands of locals, nearby residents, and visitors from all over the country.
The festival is not only a spiritual event where fishermen pray for calm seas and safety, but also an occasion to:
- Strengthen community bonds
- Preserve ancestral traditions
- Honor past generations
- Uphold the Vietnamese value of “when drinking water, remember its source”
It remains one of the most vibrant and spiritually meaningful festivals in Vung Tau.
