
Located along the Vam Thuat river, Sa Tan temple (Ward 5, Go Vap district, HCM City) captivates visitors with its architectural beauty and the intriguing tale of a fisherman who found a sacred statue.
The temple stands out with its brown-red ceramic tiled walls and doors adorned with red couplets inscribed with gold characters. The red-tiled roof is decorated with ceramic motifs of two dragons fighting for a pearl.
The temple has the typical architecture of a Southern communal house and Chinese decorative style. The walls, columns, and ceiling are elaborately carved and covered with multi-colored ceramic tiles.
The temple venerates various deities, including Ba Chua Xu Chau Doc (Holy Mother of Chau Doc Realm), Dieu Tri Kim Mau, Ngu Hanh Nuong Nuong (Lady of Five Elements), and Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor).
However, the most prominent is the statue of Thuy Long Cung Thanh Mau (Holy Mother of Dragon’s Water Palace), tied to the temple’s origin story.
According to the temple’s management board, Sa Tan temple was established in the 18th century. Historical records at the temple state: “In the 18th century, on the Ben Cat river in Hanh Thong village, Binh Tri Thuong district, Go Vap county, Gia Dinh province (now Vam Thuat river, Go Vap, HCM City), there was a fisherman living on netting fish.
“On a cold winter day, he caught no fish but pulled up a statue of Ba Thuy Te (Lady of the Water Realm). He founded the temple to enshrine her. Since its establishment, locals have prospered. After his passing, the community named it ‘Fisherman’s temple’ to honor his legacy.”
Renowned for spiritual significance
Over its century-long history, including wartime, Sa Tan temple has undergone several transformations. It was rebuilt in 1954, renamed Sa Tan Thuy Long Cung temple, and restored again in 1990 to its current form.
The statue is placed in the shrine with four steps gradually rising towards the back. Documents at the shrine say the statue is about 60cm high, and is hollow inside. The outside of the statue is made of mud and straw.
There is also a worship area for fisherman, shaped like a small boat. The statues are all painted and decorated with bright, beautiful colors.
Nguyen Van Hau, 61, from District 12, HCM City, who has worked for many years at Sa Tan Temple, said the temple is famous for its sacredness, and is visited daily by Chinese and Vietnamese people to pray for health, peace and fortune.
Ha Nguyen