Van Quy Thanh—also known as the Quy Thanh Village Whale Temple (Đình/Lăng làng Quý Thạnh)—is located in Quy Thanh Hamlet, Ngu Phung Commune, Phu Quy Special Zone, Lam Dong Province.
History and Establishment
The temple complex was built in the late 18th century and is one of the earliest religious–community structures founded during the formation of Quy Thanh Village in the Canh Hung era (circa 1767).
Van Quy Thanh has undergone several periods of restoration:
- 1935 – first renovation
- 1952 – second renovation
- 1998 – major restoration, giving the temple its present appearance
Through centuries of storms and changing times, the temple has remained a spiritual anchor for generations of fishermen.
Sacred Whale Worship
Van Quy Thanh preserves five royal decrees (sắc phong) granted by Nguyen Dynasty emperors—Tu Duc, Dong Khanh, Duy Tan, and Khai Dinh—honoring Nam Hai Đại Tướng Quân, the Whale God believed to protect fishermen at sea.
One of these decrees is a hand-copied version of the original Tu Duc–era proclamation.
In coastal culture, whales are revered as divine guardians who rescue sailors in storms. The temple is therefore both a religious sanctuary and a historical testament to the island’s seafaring heritage.
Annual Ceremonial Calendar
Van Quy Thanh holds three main traditional ceremonies each year:
1. Spring Festival (Tế Xuân)
Held between the first and third lunar months, praying for peace, favorable weather, and plentiful catches.
2. Autumn Festival (Tế Thu)
Observed between the seventh and ninth lunar months to give thanks for a safe and prosperous fishing season.
3. Ancestral Whale Commemoration (Lễ Kỵ)
The most important event of the year, taking place on the 25th–26th days of the eighth lunar month, honoring the first whale to drift ashore and marking the deep gratitude of the fishing community.
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