Dinh Cậu Phu Quoc

Dinh Cậu on Phu Quoc, also called Cậu temple, Cậu rock or Cậu lighthouse is probably the most prominent landmark of Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island.

That may be because it’s centrally located in Duong Dong right next to the tourist area. Dinh Cau is also one of the greatest photo locations of Phu Quoc Island, especially during sunset.

Dinh Cậu

Located at the mouth of Duong Dong River, right next to the fishing harbor, this bizarre rock formation has been used for worship since time immemorial. The temple and lighthouse of Dinh Cậu itself were built in 1937, as a shrine to Thiên Hậu, the goddess of the sea.

Tourists, street vendors and fishermen alike are crowding around the picturesque crags, and the thundering waves, breaking at the cliffs, provide an interesting ambient sound.

Dinh Cậu is one of the most visited and most photographed attractions of Phu Quoc Island.

Every year on the 15th and 16th of (lunar) October, there is a festival with many people attending.

Temple of the Goddess of the Sea

Dinh Cậu is not only a lighthouse, but also a shrine, dedicated to the goddess of the sea Thiên Hậu.

Thiên Hậu, also known as Mazu, is of Chinese origin and is worshipped in all of East Asia’s coastal regions to various degrees. It is said, that Thiên Hậu was born under the name of Lin Moniang during the rule of the Song Dynasty on Meizhou Island in China’s Fujian province. Upon growing up, she became an excellent swimmer and was often seen at the shore, wearing a vivid red dress and guiding ships to safety, even under the harshest weather conditions.

After her death in the year 987, she was remembered as a young lady in a red dress, who would forever roam the sea and guide troubled ships to a safe shelter from the storm.

The fishermen of Phu Quoc Island, especially in Duong Dong, light incense sticks at the altar of Dinh Cậu before every journey on the sea and pray for a safe return.