Bac Le Temple

Bac Le Temple is a historic Mother Goddess temple located in Tan Thanh Commune, Huu Lung District, Lang Son Province, Vietnam. Situated on a hillside surrounded by forest and streams, it is dedicated to Princess Lieu Hanh, a principal deity of the Four Palaces belief. The temple is renowned for its traditional architecture, spiritual atmosphere, and as one of the most sacred sites for Mother Goddess worship in northern Vietnam.

Visitors can expect a hillside temple complex with traditional Vietnamese religious architecture, including ornate gates, courtyards, main worship halls, and altars dedicated to Mother Goddesses. The setting is tranquil, surrounded by trees and hills with incense-filled halls. Visitors can observe prayer rituals, make offerings, explore the decorated interiors with statues and votive objects, and experience festival activities during peak pilgrimage periods.

Bac Le Temple has a long history associated with the worship of Princess Lieu Hanh, one of the central figures in Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship. The temple has been restored and expanded over many generations and is recognized as a historic cultural relic in Lang Son Province, reflecting the continuity of folk belief architecture and rituals in northern Vietnam.

The temple is a major center for the worship of the Mother Goddesses (Dao Mau) and the Four Palaces belief, which is recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It serves as an important spiritual destination for pilgrims who come to pray for health, luck and prosperity, especially during spring and the annual temple festival featuring traditional rituals, chau van singing and offerings.