Tucked away in Can Tho City, Binh Thuy Temple - also known as Long Tuyen Ancient Temple - stands not only as one of the most beautiful and historic places of worship in the Mekong Delta but also as a symbol of resilience born from disaster.

Over 100 years old, Binh Thuy Temple is located in Binh Thuy Ward. Facing the Binh Thuy canal, it is among the region’s most visually striking and culturally significant temples.

According to the temple's heritage board, in 1844 a violent storm devastated the Long Tuyen area, destroying homes and farmland. As life gradually returned to normal, local residents built a simple temple from wood and thatch near the mouth of the Binh Thuy canal for spiritual gathering and worship.

A popular tale from 1852 recounts that under the reign of Emperor Tu Duc, envoy Huynh Man Dat encountered a fierce storm while traveling on the Hau River. His fleet sought refuge on a small island at the confluence of the canal and river - now known as Linh Islet, near the Binh Thuy canal. There, the waters calmed and the storm passed.

Upon coming ashore, the envoy was struck by the beauty, serenity, and vibrant life of the land. He proposed naming the area “Binh Thuy,” meaning “peaceful waters.” Upon his return, he submitted the name to the emperor.

On November 29, 1852, Emperor Tu Duc officially granted the village the title and bestowed the position of “Patron Deity of the Region.” To honor this recognition, villagers contributed funds and labor to reconstruct the temple with tiled roofing. In 1909, the temple underwent further renovation and was completed the following year.

Binh Thuy Temple follows a “nhat” (一) layout - a straight-line structure facing east-west, built on elevated ground. Both the front and rear buildings are square in shape, supported by six rows of wooden columns. The roof follows the traditional Southern style of “upper tower, lower veranda,” with five altars and two flanking corridors.

The front hall honors national heroes such as Tran Hung Dao, Phan Boi Chau, Bui Huu Nghia, Nguyen Trung Truc, and Dinh Cong Trang, alongside a shrine to the Five Goddesses and various ceremonial altars. The right wing of the front hall is reserved for hosting guests and meetings, while the main hall is dedicated to the village’s protector deity, the Patron Deity of the Region.

Intricate wooden columns uphold the entire structure, with decorative beams, carved panels, calligraphic scrolls, and ancestral tablets adorning the temple in exquisite detail.

Two major festivals are held at Binh Thuy Temple each year. The Spring Ky Yen Festival, from the 12th to the 14th of the 4th lunar month, is among the largest spiritual gatherings in the Mekong Delta. The Autumn Ky Yen Festival takes place on the 14th day of the 12th lunar month.

These festivals include sacrificial ceremonies to honor ancestors and national heroes, as well as vibrant cultural activities like folk games, classical opera (hat boi), and cai luong performances featuring ancient tales.

Thanks to its exceptional historical and cultural value, Binh Thuy Temple was recognized as a national architectural heritage site in 1989. In 2018, its Ky Yen Festival was officially listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Tran Tuyen