Architectural and Artistic Relic: Bình Mỹ Temple Bình Mỹ Commune, Châu Phú District, An Giang Province

Select language

Vietnamese English

         The Bình Mỹ Temple is located in Bình Trung Hamlet, Bình Mỹ Commune, Châu Phú District, An Giang Province. It is approximately 25 kilometers north of Long Xuyên City by road and about 10 kilometers south of Cái Dầu Town. From Long Xuyên, visitors can travel along National Highway 91 towards Châu Đốc for about 25 kilometers, and the Bình Mỹ Temple will be visible on the left side of the road after crossing the Bình Mỹ Bridge. The site is easily accessible by various types of road transportation.
         According to the elders of the temple committee, the Bình Mỹ Temple dates back to the 18th century, specifically in 1786. It was originally constructed with wooden columns, thatched roofs, and simple wooden walls near the Trà Vơ Creek, situated between the lands of Nguyễn Tài Ngoán (also known as Sung Biện Ngoán) and Lưu Văn Lai (also known as Hương kiểm Phố). After a fire destroyed the initial structure, the temple was rebuilt at a new location by the Xẻo Sâu Creek.
         In 1890, the temple was once again destroyed by fire and subsequently relocated to land donated by Mr. Cao Văn Lành and Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phải, about 3 kilometers from the previous site.
         In 1924, during the 40th birthday celebration of Emperor Khải Định, many royal decrees were issued to localities. Among them was the decree conferring the title of "Bổn cảnh" (Deity worshiped to protect a village) on Bình Mỹ village on July 25, 1924.
         In 1928, the village officials and residents of Bình Mỹ came together to rebuild the temple based on a design by Phạm Tứ Quý, modeled after the Châu Phú temple of that time. The construction, costing 200,000 Indochina piasters (excluding community labor contributions), resulted in a sturdy, well-maintained temple comprising three main structures: Võ ca, Võ quy, and the main hall (Chính điện).

         The Bình Mỹ Temple complex is situated on a 3,636.2 square meter residential plot, registered for land use. The layout follows a central axis and includes several key structures: Tam Quan Gate (The grand entrance gate), perimeter fence, courtyard, Agricultural Deity’s shrine, main temple building, guest house, and other auxiliary structures. The main temple building itself occupies an area of 738 square meters, with a width of 18 meters and a length of 41 meters.
         Bình Mỹ Temple combines the beauty of traditional Eastern architecture with modern Western influences. The ancestors applied the "layered terraces and overlapping roofs'' architecture of the Nguyễn dynasty and incorporated French decorative arts to create the majestic and splendid Bình Mỹ Temple. Notably, it features four thick surrounding walls, brick columns with intricately carved floral patterns, arch-shaped doorways, and a dominant color scheme of yellow and white.
 

         The exterior of Bình Mỹ Temple is a solid, majestic structure. The roof is designed in a layered style with three tiers of yin-yang tiles. The most striking feature is the interconnection of multiple roof sections while ensuring proper drainage. There are a total of eight roof sections (four main and four auxiliary), varying in size and height, creating a dynamic undulating effect along the length of the temple roof. The expansive roof sections extend outward without sagging, arranged in clusters with intricate decorative motifs, patterns, and designs on each cluster, resulting in a grand and impressive roof structure.
           The main roof eaves are built high and adorned with embossed reliefs featuring floral motifs. The roof corners and eaves are decorated with numerous glazed ceramic sculptures in the style of traditional Southern Vietnamese ceramics. The surfaces between the roof tiers and the end walls are decorated with paintings depicting paired themes that are harmonious with nature, such as rivers and mountains, pine trees and deer, pheasants and peonies, apricot blossoms and birds, among others. All these elements blend together to enhance the aesthetic value and artistic appeal of the temple's exterior in a harmonious manner.
 

         The interior space of the main shrine consists of three sections: the Võ ca (front section), Võ quy (middle section), and Chính điện (main hall), which are seamlessly connected to create a spacious and open feel. The structural framework, including columns, beams, crossbeams, trusses, and rafters, is made from Pyinkado wood and joined using intricate mortise and tenon techniques, showcasing the craftsmanship and high skill level of the builders. The main hall, as the central worship area, features many detailed artistic decorations. The carved wooden panels, including decorative frames, couplets, and horizontal lacquered boards, are intricately sculpted with themes such as the Four Sacred Animals, birds, flowers, and foliage, complemented by Chinese and Nom characters poetry and prose.

       The Bình Mỹ Temple venerates “Bổn cảnh” (Village Deity), alongside the revered figure Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh and other pioneering ancestors who contributed to the development of Bình Mỹ village. Each year, the shrine hosts two main traditional festivals:
         - Kỳ Yên (Praying for Peace): Celebrated on the 18th, 19th, and 20th days of the 4th lunar month.
         - Lạp Miếu (Year End ceremony): Celebrated on the 19th and 20th days of the 12th lunar month.
         Additionally, there are other ceremonial rites such as the memorial service for Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, the Tam Ngươn rite, and the Lunar New Year celebration.
         In 2000, the People's Committee of An Giang Province designated Bình Mỹ Shrine as a historical and architectural relic under Decision No. 285/QĐ-UB, dated February 18, 2000.
In 2014, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism elevated Bình Mỹ Temple to the status of a National Architectural Art Monument under Decision No. 4102/QĐ-BVHTTDL, dated December 12, 2014.