Thien Hau Pagoda
Thiên Hậu Pagoda, also known as Chùa Bà Thiên Hậu, abbreviated as chùa Bà or miếu Thiên Hậu, is currently located at 4 Nguyễn Du Street, Phú Cường ward, Thủ Dầu Một city, Bình Dương Province, Vietnam. This temple was established by the Hoa communities to worship the goddess Mazu.
History
It is unknown when Thiên Hậu Pagoda was built; it was initially located by the Hương Chủ Hiếu canal. By 1923, after the temple was damaged, four Chinese communities including the Cantonese/Quảng Triệu, Teochew, Hokkien, and Sùng Chính/Khánh Gia collaborated to rebuild the temple to pagoda at its current location.Architecture
The pagoda consists of three rows of buildings. In the center is the main hall, inscribed with the three characters Thiên Hậu Cung. The two main doors bear the inscription Quốc Thái Dân An, and flanking the doors are couplets praising the virtues of the goddess.The roof of the main hall is tiled with yin-yang tiles, featuring raised carvings and decorated with images of "two dragons vying for a pearl" and "carp transforming into a dragon." On the edges of the roof are statues of the "Moon Lady," civil and military officials, and other figures in the style of Chinese architecture.
The two side buildings flanking the main hall are considered the East and West corridors. These serve as offices, meeting rooms, and storage areas, collectively called Thất phủ công sở.
Inside the main hall are couplets praising the goddess for her miraculous powers and benevolence in saving people. In the central altar, the main deity worshipped is Mazu, with her statue dressed in elaborate attire that is regularly updated. To her left is an altar for the Ngũ Hành Nương Nương, representing the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. On the right side is the altar for Ông Bổn, also known as Bổn Đầu Công.