Dinh Cau temple Phu Quoc: Where Culture and Spirituality Intertwine on the Pearl Island

Dinh Cậu Phú Quốc is a historical, cultural, and spiritual relic with unique architecture that bears the strong imprints of Vietnamese culture. The site attracts visitors with its ancient and majestic beauty, and it serves as an important spiritual destination for locals.

Join Rooty Trip on a journey to discover the spiritual site of Dinh Cậu Phú Quốc in this article!

Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc Landmark

1. Introducing Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

1.1 Where is Dinh Cậu located?

Dinh Cau is a relic located in Ward 2, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. It is a popular tourist destination.

Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc is built on the coastal cliffs at the mouth of the Duong Dong River with a unique architectural style. Moreover, thanks to its prime location facing the sea, Dinh Cậu boasts a fresh and pleasant natural landscape, making it one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Phu Quoc.

1.2 Who is worshipped at Dinh Cậu?

Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc worships two deities:

• Lady of the Sea (Lady Ngoc Nuong Nuong): The goddess who rules the sea, respected and trusted by the locals. She is believed to have the power to protect fishermen on their voyages, keeping them safe from storms and accidents.
• Cau Tai and Cau Quy: Two young deities, sons of the Lady of the Sea. These two deities are believed to have the ability to grant wealth and fortune to the people.

In addition, Dinh Cậu also worships several other deities such as:

• Quan Cong: The god symbolizing loyalty and bravery.
• Thanh Hoang God: The god who rules the land, protecting the locals.
• Other deities: Ong Dia, Ba Co, Tao Quan,…

1.3 Best Time to Visit Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

The best time to visit Dinh Cậu is on the 15th and 16th day of the 10th lunar month, as this is when the locals hold the fishing festival. During this time, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the culture and immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere with the locals.

Additionally, the weather is cool and dry from November to March or from April to June, making it a pleasant time for a vacation.

1.4 Directions to Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

To get to Dinh Cậu, head to Tran Hung Dao Street, turn onto Vo Thi Sau Street, and continue to the end of the road. Then, you will see the entrance to Dinh Cau Night Market and Dinh Cau Cape. Since the route is not too difficult, you can flexibly choose to travel by car or motorbike.

Directions to Dinh Cậu

3. History of Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

Dinh Cậu was built in 1937 and was recognized as a provincial-level relic in 2012.

The history of Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc is one of the fascinating stories that attracts visitors to this place. According to the locals, around the 17th century, fishermen from Phu Quoc often encountered big waves and many could not return.

Until one day, a rock outcropping slowly appeared near the estuary and this was where the fishermen could find shelter in case they faced rough seas. Because of the appearance of the rock outcropping, people believed that it was a sacred place under the protection of the gods. Therefore, they built a shrine and named it Long Vuong. Every time the fishermen prepared to go to sea, they would come to the shrine to pray for a smooth and safe journey.

The History of Dinh Cậu is Associated with Many Sacred Legends

4. Unique Architecture of Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

• Harmonious Combination of Traditional House and Communal House Architecture

Dinh Cậu is built in the style of a traditional house with curved tiled roofs and soaring ridges, reflecting a sense of lightness and grace. However, the shrine also shares similarities with the architecture of the northern communal houses, such as the system of pillars and roofs, which exude a sense of majesty and solemnity.

• Building Materials

Dinh Cậu is built from traditional materials such as wood, bamboo, thatch, and tiled roofs. Over time, the shrine has been renovated many times but still retains its original architectural style.

• Decorative Motifs

The decorative details in the shrine are imbued with national cultural imprints such as: images of dragons and phoenixes, patterns, parallel sentences,… expressing the aspiration for a prosperous and peaceful life.

Dinh Cậu Possesses a Unique Architectural Style

5. What to Do at Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

5.1. Praying

Dinh Cậu Shrine is an important spiritual destination for the locals. Visitors can come here to pray for family peace, prosperity in business, and national peace and prosperity.

Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc is also famous for its mysterious legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. Each shrine has a special story waiting for visitors to discover when they come to visit.

Praying at Dinh Cậu Temple (Illustration Photo – Cre: Eva.vn)

5.2. Admiring the Dreamy Sunset by Dinh Cậu Shrine

As the sun prepares to set, the dreamy image of the sunset envelops the area around Dinh Cậu. The warm yellow light of the sunset painting creates a quiet, gentle space. Besides, the last rays of sunlight shining on the sea create shimmering streaks of light on the waves.

Admiring the Stunning Sunset at Dinh Cậu

5.3. Discover Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc Night Market

When you come to Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc night market, you will be overwhelmed and excited by more than 100 colorful stalls. Here, the stalls sell a variety of specialties from the island such as: butter crab with lemon leaves, grilled sea urchin, boiled snails with chili salt sauce,…

In addition, you can wander through a paradise of local snacks such as: “bánh khéo” (crispy rice cake), “bánh bò thốt nốt” (palm jelly cake), “đậu phộng Chou Chou” (Chou Chou peanuts),…

Discovering Local Cuisine at Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc Night Market

5.4. Immerse Yourself in Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc Festival

On the 15th and 16th day of the 10th lunar month every year, Dinh Cậu holds a grand festival with many unique activities and exciting games. Therefore, if you visit Dinh Cậu at this time, don’t miss exploring this special traditional festival.

The Festival at Dinh Cậu is Organized Meticulously and Solemnly

6. Legends of Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc attracts visitors not only by its beautiful scenery and fascinating history, but also by the following 3 famous legends:

• Legend of Mrs. Kim Giao from the land reclamation period

Mrs. Kim Giao is one of the characters appearing in the land reclamation legend of Phu Quoc island. According to legend, Mrs. Kim Giao was a member of the royal family of Chan Lap, but due to political turmoil, she had to flee to Phu Quoc island. Since then, she has made great contributions to leading the land reclamation, cultivation, renovation, and construction of houses… on the island.

There is also a legend that Mrs. Kim Giao once provided food for King Gia Long – Nguyen Anh during the time when the king stayed on the island to avoid the Tay Son army.

The Spiritual Legend of Mrs. Kim Giao at Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

• Legend of the sacred rock

Before it was beautifully renovated as it is today, Dinh Cậu was just a simple old shrine. According to legend, in the 17th century, when the first people from Central Vietnam set foot on Phu Quoc, they made a living by fishing. At that time, fishermen often encountered strong winds and waves when going out to sea, and many people never returned.

Suddenly, one day a sacred rock appeared in the middle of the sea and washed ashore. The people on the island considered it a sacred rock, so they built a shrine to pray for the gods’ protection. Locals began to come here to make offerings, and indeed they went out to sea more safely than before. The good news spread far and wide, many people learned about this story and came here to pray more. Since then, Dinh Cậu has become one of the famous spiritual places on Phu Quoc island.

• Legend of the hermit man

According to many elders, in the 20th century, there was a strange man who came to live in the Long Vuong shrine. At first, this person only did the work of sweeping, lighting incense, and did not communicate with anyone, so no one knew where he came from. It wasn’t until a while later that he crawled into a large cave, blocked the entrance with stones, and practiced inside. The people at that time were afraid that he would die, so they often brought food to the door of the cave, but the next day the food was still intact.

After 2 years of practicing, this man returned to the Long Vuong shrine and continued his work as before. This time he interacted with the villagers more but was still quite secretive. He was particularly talented in predicting the future, he often predicted the future for those who came to the Long Vuong shrine to pray. On the 15th and 16th lunar months, he would sit in a trance, channeling the gods to give blessings to the fishermen who came to worship. Since then, the people have called him with the familiar name “Cậu”.

7. Tourist Information for Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

7.1. Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

• Opening hours: Open all day.
• Entrance fee: Free.

7.2. Dress Code

At a spiritual place like Dinh Cậu, visitors should dress neatly and politely. Choose modest clothes with not too bright colors. Avoid wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses that are too short above the knee.

7.3. Regulations when visiting Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

When visiting Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc, you must follow these regulations:

• Do not take photos or videos inside the shrine.
• Do not make noise or disturb the order.
• Do not damage the landscape or litter.

7.4. Where to stay near Dinh Cậu?

Here are 3 hotels that Rooty Trip recommends for you to consider:

Seashells

• Address: 01 Vo Thi Sau Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
• Phone: +84 297 7300 999
• Google rating: 4.4 stars

M Hotel

• Address: 46 Tran Hung Dao Street, Cua Lap, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
• Phone: +84 297 3618 686
• Google rating: 4.4 stars

An Phu Hotel

• Address: 185 30 Thang 4 Street, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang
• Phone: +84 297 3898 777
• Google rating: 4.3 stars

7.5. Tourist Attractions Near Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

In addition to Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc, you can visit Dinh Ba Phu Quoc, which is about a 3-minute walk away. Since they are close to each other, Dinh Cậu and Dinh Ba are two spiritual places that tourists often choose to visit together.

You can also visit other famous tourist attractions such as: Ong Lang Beach, Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc Pepper Garden…

In addition, in recent years, Phu Quoc has attracted the attention of tourists thanks to its modern and vibrant entertainment areas:

• VinWonders Phu Quoc: This is the largest theme park in Vietnam with 6 different zones and 12 different themes.
• Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc: The largest wildlife conservation and care park in Vietnam, conserving over 3,000 animals of more than 150 species and some rare animals from around the world.

Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc is a place that combines historical legend, beautiful scenery, festivals, and delicious food. Therefore, it is a perfect destination in Phu Quoc that you should not miss. Pack your bags and come to the island right away to admire this centuries-old spiritual building!