Entree Kibbles: God of War (Guān Dì) Temple @ Ho Chi Minh City District 5 (Chinatown) [Vietnam]

Those who can read Chinese would assume this would be the location of a Chinese clan association, given the four engraved Chinese characters in the middle. The Great Kon, frequent traveler to Ho Chi Minh City, knew there were more than meet the eyes!

Yes, the second temple we shall be visiting in the self-walking tour to HCMC's Chinatown, also known as known as District 5. The districts are something you heard very often; most tourists would be at District 1 where many attractions are situated.

Intricate, stone-engraved paintings showing the stories of patron deity for the temple. Would you be able to guess who? Hint, it's a major character for the historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms!

Hung across the main entrance wasn't a signage, and wasn't a plaque. In its place was an exquisite, golden structure; like a diorama of a scene in ancient China. I don't remember seeing such stuff at Chinese temples in Singapore.

Again, the many wooden plaques; similar to what I chanced upon at Ong Bon Temple. Some of them were bestowed a long time ago; one was from the era of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty.

Offerings; there didn't seem to be a price-list. The Chinese words on the box mentioned that "you are not supposed to remove your mask even when you are in the temple". However, mask-wearing wasn't already not a requirement when I visited.

The gigantic door gods. There was a huge tentage at the front yard which seemed to be for the holding of an elaborate Buddhist ceremony.

Joss sticks urn in the middle of the centre courtyard. 協天宫 should be the Chinese name of the temple and those proficient in the knowledge of Chinese gods would likely know which deity is honored in the temple.

Can you guess who? Long beard, red face.

His missing weapon would have been a giveaway.

Let's step further into the main hall.

This is the man; Guan Yu, the god of war! An iconic character in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms; I bet many Chinese would know who he is, and his signature weapon, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade that was said to weigh almost 50 kilograms!

Kon shared that the unique thing about this specific God of War temple is that the main shrine also housed his sworn rothers; Zhang Fei and Liu Bei. In the ancient days, such non-blood related brotherly liaisons (with heaven as the witness) were looked upon to be as close as, or even closer than family.

Humongous candles!

The stunning architecture above me!

From what I understand, the temple was built in 1819.

Other saints who were honored included the god of fortune, Tian Hou goddess, Wen Chang (God of Culture and Literature) and surprisingly, "Ma Dau General, who was the horse herder for" Guan Yu!

Wait, no photography?

No one stopped me though!

A female devotee in Áo Dài; the traditionala attire for Vietnamese. I actually find Áo Dài extremely beautiful; though similar to cheongsams, it lacked the opulence and appeared more comfortable for the wearer.