Kien An Cung Pagoda

If on a tour to Sa Dec Town, don’t forget to pass by Kien An Cung Pagoda of Huynh Thuy Le’s family, which is related to the French novel “L’amant” (“The Lover”) by Marguerite Duras.
Ong Quach, or Kien An Cung Pagoda, built by Huynh Thuy Le’s family, the main character of the novel “L’amant” by French novelist Marguerite Duras.
Located in Ward 2, Sa Dec Town, Dong Thap Province, the one thousand square meter Kien An Cung Pagoda was built between 1924 and 1927 by Huynh Thuan, Huynh Thuy Le’s father, and a group of Chinese people from Phuc Kien Province living in Sa Dec Town at that time.
Kien An Cung Pagoda worships Ong Quach Thanh Vuong Cong (Quach Aristocrat), whose hometown was Fujian Province. Quach Aristocrat helped Tong Thai To (King Song) mount punitive expeditions against a smaller nation Nam Duong (Southern Tang), one of the ten kingdoms in south-central China created following the Tang Dynasty from 937-975, and establish the Song Dynasty.
The pagoda, whose front faces the Cai Son River, was built as the shape of the Chinese word meaning merit including three compartments of which the largest was used for the shrine. The roof was made meticulously with three layers, first tiles, second bricks and third more tiles. Most of the material used for building the pagoda was brought from Fujian Province.
Every year, the pagoda celebrates rituals on February 22 and August 22 of the lunar calendar. And every three years, Kien An Cung Pagoda sets up altars to celebrate requiems for the dead souls and pray for the peace of the country.
Inside the pagoda is an altar to worship Huynh Thuy Le and his wife. In April, 1990, Kien An Cung Pagoda was recognized as a national cultural and historical relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
If you want to take a trip to Sa Dec Town, 140 kilometers from HCMC, and visit places related to Huynh Thuy Le, a famous good landlord living there, or listen to his love story and life, you can book a one day tour at Dong Thap Tourist JSC at 178 Nguyen Hue Street, Ward 2, Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province, by calling 067 3855 638 or 067 3852 139, or by emailing dothatour@dongthaptourist.com.