About Mau Temple (Den Mau)
Mau Temple (Den Mau) is a historic Mother Goddess temple located in Lao Cai Ward, Lao Cai City, Lao Cai Province, near the Red River and the Vietnam-China border. Dedicated to Princess Lieu Hanh, one of the Four Immortals in Vietnamese folk belief, it is a major center of Dao Mau (Mother Goddess worship). The temple complex features traditional Vietnamese religious architecture and is notable for its annual spring festival and cultural significance.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact, traditional Vietnamese temple complex with an incense-filled main hall, altars dedicated to the Mother Goddess Lieu Hanh and other deities, courtyards, and decorative gates and statues. The setting is urban, close to Lao Cai city center and the Red River, with a calm, devotional atmosphere. Visitors can observe local worship practices, offer incense, view wood carvings and votive objects, and explore the courtyard and surrounding grounds.
Key highlights
- 01
Main hall dedicated to Princess Lieu Hanh, central figure of Mother Goddess worship
- 02
Traditional Vietnamese temple architecture with ornate altars and statues
- 03
Annual Mau Temple Festival held in the 3rd lunar month with rituals and folk performances
- 04
Location near the Red River and Lao Cai city center, close to the border area
- 05
Important pilgrimage site for Dao Mau followers in northwest Vietnam
History of Mau Temple (Den Mau)
Mau Temple in Lao Cai is dedicated to Princess Lieu Hanh, a revered figure in Vietnamese Mother Goddess worship. The temple was originally built to honor the Mother Goddess and has been restored and rebuilt over time, including after damage during wartime periods. It forms part of the trio of temples in Lao Cai City along with Den Thuong and Den Cam, representing the historical religious landscape of the border region.
Culture & Context
The temple is a prominent center for Dao Mau (Mother Goddess worship), a Vietnamese folk belief recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It serves as a place of pilgrimage and community worship, especially during the spring festival when devotees gather for rituals, incense offerings, and traditional hau dong ceremonies honoring the Mother Goddesses.