Visiting the Van Thuy Tu shrine to learn more about the Whale God

Van Thuy Tu Palace – A Tourist Attraction with a Strong Maritime Culture Mark in Phan Thiet

Amidst the bustling life of the coastal city of Phan Thiet, Van Thuy Tu Temple still retains a rare sense of tranquility and antiquity. Not only is it a sacred place of worship for the Whale God by local fishermen, but it is also considered one of the oldest historical sites closely linked to the formation and development of the fishing industry in Binh Thuan province.

The Van Thuy Tu Palace is not notable for its modernity or luxury. What leaves a lasting impression on visitors is the cultural and religious values, and the stories imbued with the spirit of the sea, that have been preserved for hundreds of years.

In particular, this place is also famous for having the largest whale skeleton in Southeast Asia – a source of pride not only for the people of Phan Thiet but also for the entire Binh Thuan coastal region.

Overview of Van Thuy Tu Palace in Phan Thiet

Address of Van Thuy Tu Palace

• Address: 54 Duc Ong Street, Duc Thang Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province

• Opening hours: 07:00 – 17:30 daily

• Reference ticket prices:

- Children: approximately 5,000 VND

- Adults: approximately 15,000 VND

For tour groups with a guide, entrance fees to attractions are often waived.

Please note : Ticket prices may vary on weekends, holidays, or during peak tourist seasons.

Why does Van Thuy Tu Palace attract tourists?

The atmosphere here is very different from the famous check-in spots in Mui Ne or Phan Thiet. The palace impresses with its ancient architecture, sacred atmosphere, and the almost perfectly preserved maritime cultural values.

Here, visitors not only get to sightsee but also have the opportunity to learn more about:

• The belief in worshipping the Whale God among coastal fishermen.

• History of the development of the fishing industry in Binh Thuan

• Ancient royal decrees of the Nguyen Dynasty

• The famous skeleton of a large whale in Southeast Asia.

Directions to Van Thuy Tu Palace

From the city center of Phan Thiet or Mui Ne, you can easily get to the Palace by:

• Motorbike

• Taxi

• Personal car

• Tourist vehicle with driver

If starting from the city center, follow this route:

Tran Hung Dao → Han Thuyen → Duc Ong.

The palace is located at number 54, making it quite easy to find and convenient for combining visits to other famous landmarks in Phan Thiet such as:

• Duc Thanh School

• Poshanu Cham Tower

• Phan Thiet Market

• Thanh Minh Temple

Parking fees in the tourist area range from approximately:

• Motorbikes: from 5,000 VND

• Cars: approximately 20,000 – 30,000 VND

History of the Formation of Van Thuy Tu Palace

• A Monument Over 250 Years Old

According to many historical documents, the Van Thuy Tu Shrine was built in 1762 by fishermen from Thuy Tu village to worship the Whale God – a deity believed to have saved fishermen whenever they encountered rough seas.

Initially, it was just a small wooden house with a thatched roof built close to the seashore. After numerous renovations and expansions, the shrine gradually became the most important religious structure for the coastal residents of Binh Thuan.

Despite undergoing many changes over time, the Palace has retained much of its ancient architecture and distinctive traditional cultural values.

• National Historical Monument

In 1996, Van Thuy Tu Palace was officially recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument. In 2003, the famous whale skeleton at the palace was fully restored with the support of the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography.

In addition, this place also preserves many:

• Ancient royal decrees of the Nguyen Dynasty

• Sino-Vietnamese script

• Traditional horizontal plaques and couplets

• Documents related to traditional seafaring occupations.

Royal Decree Bestowing the Title of Great General of the South Sea Whale

One of the most remarkable features of the Van Thuy Tu Palace is its collection of 24 royal decrees granted by the Nguyen dynasty kings over various periods.

These royal decrees belong to the following dynasty:

• Thieu Tri

• Tu Duc

• Dong Khanh

• Duy Tan

• Khai Dinh

According to folklore, King Gia Long was once rescued by a whale during a great storm at sea. After ascending the throne, the king bestowed upon the whale the title "Great General of the Southern Sea" to commemorate its life-saving act.

Since then, the worship of the Whale God has become an important part of the spiritual life of fishermen in the central coastal region in general and Binh Thuan in particular.

Discover the Ancient Architecture of Van Thuy Tu Palace

Architecture Bearing the Distinctive Mark of Ancient Village Temples

The palace was built in the traditional "four-pillar" architectural style with the following system:

• large wooden column

• Intricately carved rafters

• Traditional tiled roof

• Characteristic dragon and phoenix patterns

Right from the triple-arched gate, visitors can feel the solemn and ancient atmosphere that envelops the entire complex.

Notable Areas Inside the Palace

• The main hall is dedicated to the Jade Unicorn God of the South Sea.

This is the most sacred area in the temple, where the Whale God – the patron deity of fishermen in the coastal region – is worshipped.

• Jade Unicorn Sacred Land

This area is used for burying whales according to the traditional customs of fishermen in Binh Thuan.

• Shrine dedicated to Quan Thanh

This is a place of worship dedicated to a deity closely associated with folk beliefs and the life of those engaged in maritime activities.

• Whale Skeleton Conservation Area

This is also the area that attracts the most attention from tourists when visiting the Palace.

The Largest Whale Skeleton in Southeast Asia

The Pride of the People of Phan Thiet

When mentioning Van Thuy Tu Temple, many tourists will immediately remember the famous giant whale skeleton. This skeleton has been identified as belonging to the gray whale species, with:

• The length is approximately 22 meters.

• Weighing nearly 65 tons

• Over 100 years old

What's remarkable is that the skeleton has been preserved almost intact to this day. In addition, the palace also houses more than 100 other whale skeletons of various sizes, some of which are hundreds of years old.

The Belief in Worshipping the Whale God Among Fishermen of Binh Thuan

People in the coastal areas of Binh Thuan have long believed that whales always appear to rescue ships in distress at sea.

According to ancient custom:

• The first person to discover the whale washed ashore will be responsible for organizing its burial.

• The funeral rites were conducted with the same solemnity as for a family member.

• After many years, the skeleton will be brought into the Palace for worship.

This belief not only expresses gratitude but also reflects the very distinctive spiritual life of the coastal inhabitants of Vietnam.

Experience Visiting Van Thuy Tu Palace

1. The Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Palace is:

• Morning: cool air, less crowded.

• Afternoon: convenient for combining visits to other locations.

2. Some Things to Note When Visiting

• You should dress appropriately.

• Maintain silence in the worship area.

• Do not touch the exhibits.

• Bring your own drinking water if you're traveling during the hot season.

After sightseeing, you can enjoy many more famous local specialties such as:

• Phan Thiet rice flour pancakes

• Banh Can

• Fresh seafood

• Phan Thiet fish sauce

Rent a car to visit Van Thuy Tu Palace in Phan Thiet.

To make your trip more convenient, Bui Gia Travel offers car rental services for sightseeing in Phan Thiet - Mui Ne, with a driver providing pick-up and drop-off services.

Tourists can easily combine their itineraries:

• Van Thuy Tu Palace

• Duc Thanh School

• Poshanu Cham Tower

• Bau Trang

• Mui Ne Fishing Village

A diverse range of vehicles:

• 4-seater car

• 7-seater car

• Limousine

• Tour bus with 29-45 seats

Suitable for families, groups of friends, or tour groups needing privacy and comfort while exploring Phan Thiet.

The Van Thuy Tu Palace is not only a famous tourist attraction but also a place that preserves the maritime culture of the people of Binh Thuan for hundreds of years.

Amidst the ever-growing number of modern tourist attractions in Phan Thiet, Van Thuy Tu Palace still retains its ancient charm and unique traditional values. It's a place where anyone who visits can feel the depth of culture and spirit of the Vietnamese coastal region.