The Temple of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh is a well-known spiritual tourist destination in Quang Binh province. It is a sacred temple that worships Saint Mother Lieu Hanh, one of the four "Immortal" saints in Vietnamese folk beliefs who is highly revered by the local people.

Where is The Temple of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh?

The Temple of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh is located on the highway at the foot of Ngang Pass belong to Vinh Son Village, Quang Dong Commune, Quang Trach District, Quang Binh Province.

Legend of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh

Once upon a time in Heaven, the Jade Emperor had a daughter named Lieu Hanh. She had a stubborn personality and refused to follow Heaven's rules despite Ngoc Hoang's best efforts to teach her. The Jade Emperor was angry because he had a bad daughter who could not be an example for everyone. Therefore, he decided to punish his daughter by banishing her to Earth for three years whenever she made a mistake.

After coming to Earth, Mother Lieu Hanh transformed into a beautiful girl and set up a tent at the foot of Deo Ngang mountain. This place was deserted in the mountains and forests and no one dared to go there to open a shop because of the fear of robbers and wild animals. However, this place was also where the North-South Thien Ly road passed through, so Lieu Hanh's unique village is crowded with visitors every day. Anyone who goes up or down the pass and passes by the shop cannot help but stop by to rest. Furthermore, there is a gorgeous girl in the shop.

Ever since the restaurant opened, anyone is welcome to come in and enjoy some cake and water before leaving. However, if someone mistreats the beautiful innkeeper or tries to do something unjust, she will punish them severely and not forgive them. The person who returned didn't just pass away, but they became insane and foolish.

There was a story about a girl who sold water at Ngang Pass. At that time, King Le Thai To had a son who was a Prince. One day, the Prince disguised himself as a young nobleman and led a group of guards to find Princess Lieu Hanh. When he met her, he fell in love with her but planned to harm her. However, the girl was able to cast a spell on him, turning him into a female monkey covered in fur. The monkey then transformed into a flower-bearing snake, spewing fire, and disappeared. The Prince was left unconscious and was brought back to the palace, where he became insane. After the Prince was treated, he reported the situation to his father, who then stripped him of his throne and let his second son take over. The King also wanted to capture Princess Lieu Hanh, but she confessed that she was the child of the Jade Emperor and was on earth to punish those who bullied and despised women.

The legend of Princess Lieu Hanh is a reflection of people's belief and desire for justice. It is the premise that gives rise to a miraculous story. The path to forming the legend of the Holy Mother is similar to the path followed to form the legend of other saints and deities. This path is characterized by the folk composition or the folklorization of specific authors and works.

Holy Mother Lieu Hanh has left behind an exemplary image that serves as an example and a goal for generations of Vietnamese women to follow.

What is there at the Temple of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh?

The temple covers an area of approximately 335 square meters, with its back resting against the magnificent Hoanh Son mountain range and its front overlooking Quang Dong Lake. The construction of the temple was done in a bold Asian style, with a focus on national cultural identity.

To reach the temple, you need to take the North-South Thien Ly street and pass through the temple gate, screen, Tam Quan gate, two lion head pillars, Tien temple, and Hau temple. The people who constructed the temple exhibited great talent in construction techniques, painting, and ceramic mosaic skills. The temple's decorations are often associated with the concepts, ideas, and good dreams of Vietnamese feudal society in particular and the Eastern wet rice agricultural civilization in general. These include images of the Four Spirits (dragon, unicorn, tortoise, phoenix), the four hands (cam, chess, thi, painting), the four gems (tung, bamboo, apricot, lotus), and many symbols of chrysanthemums turning into dragons and apricot blossoms turning into dragons.

The temple of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh is structured in a vertical axis, arranged from low to high, with a balanced and symmetrical layout that adds to its solemnity. Located in Deo Ngang, the Princess Lieu Hanh Temple is part of a group of relics and scenic spots that include Hoanh Son Quan, Hoan Vuong citadel, Vinh Son communal house, Hon La, and more. This cluster of relics has significant potential for socio-economic development in the province.

Additionally, there are several other sacred places of worship located within the temple grounds, including the Ancestral Church, the Quan Am Church, and the Tam Toa Thanh Mau Church. These places are popular with many local people and attract both locals and tourists from all over who come to visit and worship.

The Temple of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh is a perfect place to visit for those who enjoy spiritual tourism. Visitors can combine their visit with other surrounding tourist attractions such as Vung Chua-Yen Island, Canh Duong Mural Village, Tomb of General Vo Nguyen Giap, Ngang Pass, and Hoanh Son Quan.

When you visit the Temple of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh, you can admire unique architectural works and immerse yourself in a sacred, quiet spiritual space.

>>>Explore more about spiritual tourist destinations in Quang Binh at here.