Travelling along popular coastal Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in Da Nang, road users, especially visitors, usually stop to explore the mystery of an eye-catching ‘fishing vessel named DNa 92010TS’ which is located on the side of this beautiful route. 

The boat-shaped temple

Actually, this ‘vessel’ is a concrete boat-shaped temple which commemorates the fishermen who died or went missing at sea. 

This venue is, indeed, vivid evidence of preserving and honouring the rich history of the city’s traditional marine cultural values in the current context of local rapid urbanisation.

In fact, the year when the temple was originally built remains unknown.  According to a senior citizen, it was rebuilt in September 2010 after being totally destroyed by the deadly typhoon Xangsane which hit Da Nang in October 2006.  

The construction cost of the new temple came from donations by the residents of the local Thanh An and Thanh Thuy fishing villages, along with their relatives who are living abroad.

The temple looks like a fishing boat ready for heading out to sea, and this demonstrates that local fishermen are strongly determined to fish, regardless of possible devastating blows facing them at sea, in a bid to earn their livings as well as to protect the country’s sacred sovereignty over its sea and islands.

The ‘boat’ DNa 92010TS was named after its construction date: September 2010. 

The temple is a great example of the traditional Vietnamese architectural style, with the majority of its parts being carved with stylised floral and animal designs, especially the eye-catching dragon and phoenix patterns.  According to Vietnamese beliefs, dragon is one of the most sacred animals which symbolise power, intellect, longevity and nobility. 

In particular, the temple features worship rooms where rituals and the provision of offerings to the deceased are conducted.

On the 1^st and 15^th days of each lunar month, the coastal villagers together conduct a large-scale ritual at the temple to pray for wandering souls of people who have drowned at sea.

In particular, before heading offshore on a long day trip, local fishermen always come to this temple to pray for their upcoming peaceful fishing trips, with bumper catches.  If their dreams come true, they will make offerings to the temple as an act of paying their gratitude.