Vung Tau’s temple for the drowned

Dinh Co Temple in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province was built after the body of a 16 year old girl washed up on Long Hai Beach 186 years ago.
The temple on windy hilltop overlooking the beach in Long Dien District was built to honor the girl, Le Thi Hong Thuy.
People believed she was a sacred goddess, who would protect them. Her grave is still there beside it.
Two white lion statues guard the gate to the 37 stone steps that lead up to the main building that is a vast 1,000 square meters. Old trees and flowers fill the grounds. From the top of the stairs you can see Vung Tau City and Thuy Van Beach in the distance.
The sanctum of the temple has seven altars and a small statue of the girl dressed in red with gold lame trim.
Every year, there is a three day festival called Nghinh Co Festival on February 10-12 of lunar calendar that attracts pilgrims from around the country.