Whale Temple

The Whale Temple—in North Village, An Binh—was built over 100 years ago. Dedicated to whale worship, the temple is an important spiritual site for Little Island residents.

Every year, on the 12th of the ninth lunar month, all the island’s residents gather at the temple to engage in ritual praying asking for favorable weather and prosperity of the village. Offerings to the Gods include pigs, chickens and fish. Appointed people, dressed in traditional clothes, direct and perform the ritual, and play traditional musical instruments such as drums and gongs during the ceremony.

The Whale Temple has three main altars. The middle altar is for worshipping the whale. It’s built by bricks and cement and decorated with a set of eight weapons. Villagers have dedicated the two adjacent altars to worship the first land-claimers and ancestors. Found on the altars are a variety of worshipping objects such as an incense burner, flowers vases, and incense bowls. 

Because of the significant historical and cultural values, Whale Temple is well-preserved by the islanders. It serves as a place not only for the community to carry out spiritual activities but also for tourists to learn about local culture.