Touch of Taoism

Can Tho City, as the largest municipality in the Mekong Delta, is a well-traveled tourist stop that features numerous temples, pagodas and ancient houses.
 
Among these structures, Nam Nha Temple is a site definitely worth a visit due to its impressive architecture and eclectic characteristics.

The shrine, also known as Minh Su Temple, was established in 1895 by Thai Nguyen Giac Duyen and is nowadays located at 612 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street in Binh Thuy District’s An Thoi Ward.

According to local residents, it is situated on a sacred piece of land facing the Binh Thuy River, which undulates like a dragon nursing a pearl in its mouth.

Surrounding the perimeter of the temple is a garden filled with ancient trees and bonsais nearly 100 years old.

Behind the temple lies a tranquil orchard.

The special thing about Nam Nha Temple is that resident monks and nuns are influenced by Taoism, so they don’t necessarily eat vegetarian food, have shaven heads, or wear brown gowns like the regular occupants of Buddhist pagodas.

The structure formerly had three compartments with tile roofs.

After two restorations in 1917 and 1923, the temple was enlarged but still retains its original beauty and architectural style.

The central complex reserved for worshiping and praying is located inside a five-compartment building.

It has an altar honoring the founder of the pagoda as well as altars for the founders of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, replete with statues of Confucius, Laozi, and the Sakyamuni Buddha.

Behind the altars finds a long corridor leading to two rooms for receiving guests and a graveyard that serves as the resting site for people who originally built the pagoda and individuals who took part in the Dong Du movement, an intellectual and anti-French movement in the early 20th century.

Visiting this site, tourists will have an opportunity to survey exquisite architecture, learn about the influence of Taoism in the southern region and the Dong Du movement of national democrat Phan Boi Chau (1867-1940), as well as relax in the airy setting of the green garden set beside somnolent river banks.

 Nguon: Thanh Nien News - Reported by Diem Thu