
Ba Thien Hau Temple
Ba Thien Hau Temple
Ba Thien Hau Temple
Ba Thien Hau Temple
An ancient Cantonese temple dedicated to the sea goddess in the historic heart of the Cholon Chinatown.
Ho Chi Minh City
Temple
Cultural Heritage
Ba Thien Hau Temple is one of the oldest and most revered temples in Ho Chi Minh City, founded by the Cantonese immigrant community around 1760. This site not only serves as a spiritual center for worshiping the sea goddess Mazu, but also stands as an outstanding example of traditional Chinese architecture with a rich history housing over 400 historical artifacts.
- Visit duration
1–2 hours
- Average budget
Free
- Admission
Free
- Opening hours
06:00 – 17:30
- Best time
Early morning/afternoon
- On-site language
Vietnamese
What you need to know
Located in District 5 (Cholon) on Nguyen Trai Street, the temple serves as a stronghold of Cantonese culture in Vietnam. Its architecture follows the classical layout shaped like the Chinese character "國", and its roofs are decorated with unique ceramic figurines depicting scenes from Chinese mythology and 19th-century daily life.
Main attractions:
- Mazu Statue: A gilded wooden statue of the "Heavenly Queen", installed in 1836.
- Incense Coils: Large-scale coils that can burn for weeks — believers leave them so the smoke carries their prayers to the deity.
- Artifacts: Inside the temple are stone steles, carved wooden panels, and a bronze bell from 1830.
The temple remains an active place of worship to this day, so visitors should show respect to worshippers and maintain silence.
It is best to visit the temple at opening (06:00) or right after the lunch break (after 13:00) to avoid tour groups. The main festival, the Birthday of the Heavenly Queen, takes place on the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month.
On site
- How to get there
Taxi/Grab or buses 01, 56, 45, 150
- Address
710 Nguyễn Trãi, Quận 5, TP.HCM
- Cash
Recommended for votive offerings
- Photos
Allowed in general areas
- Break
Closed from 11:30 to 13:00
- With children
Possible, provided silence is observed