On the way to the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu, around 100 kilometers from the southernmost tip of Viet Nam, pilgrims should stop by a Buddhist pagoda where there is an 11-meter-tall Bodhisattva statue facing the sea. It is a sacred place of worship for many people, in the belief that the Goddess has miraculous ability to safeguard fishermen and seafarers.
The pagoda has an 11-meter-tall Bodhisattva statue looking out
to the sea that is referred to by local residents as Nam Hai’s Mother
Just eight kilometers from Bac Lieu City, Quan Am Phat Dai Pagoda in Nha Mat Ward has been known as one of the most-frequented pilgrim destinations in the Mekong Delta for nearly half a century.
The peak season for the pilgrimage to the pagoda starts from the first days of the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday and lasts until the end of the third lunar month. During this time, millions of pilgrims from across the country and local fishermen flock to the pagoda in droves to burn incense and pray for good luck and peace in front of the Bodhisattva statue, dubbed as Nam Hai’s Mother, who is believed to have supernatural power to protect fishermen while sailing to the outer sea.
Constructed in 1975, the pagoda is home to the Mekong Delta’s largest spiritual festival that takes place from the 22rd to 24th of the third lunar month every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Goddess. The festival is linked to cultural and religious activities such as requiems, dragon and lion dances, art performances, and a trade fair selling local specialties.
Bac Lieu Province’s Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism has ascribed the province’s tourism growth to the popularity of some famous tourist attractions in Bac Lieu, including Quan Am Phat Dai Pagoda.
Data from the provincial tourism sector shows Bac Lieu City saw around two million tourist arrivals in 2017, a 19% year-on-year surge.