Temple of the National Mother Au Co

The Temple of the National Mother Au Co is a historic spiritual site in Phu Tho dedicated to Au Co, the legendary mother of the Vietnamese people. Rooted in the legend of the hundred children, the temple preserves an enduring tradition of ancestor worship and national remembrance.

Overview

Location

Hien Luong Commune, Phu Tho Province

Type

Historical, cultural and spiritual heritage site

Established / Built

Built during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong in the 15th century, with its present form associated with the Hong Duc period in 1475.

Opening Hours

Open all day

Highlights

Traditional temple architecture, the statue of Mother Au Co, ancestral worship rituals and the annual Au Co Temple Festival

Introduction

Located in Hien Luong, the temple honors Au Co, a central figure in Vietnamese origin mythology. According to legend, Au Co married Lac Long Quan and gave birth to a pouch of one hundred eggs, from which one hundred sons emerged. This story symbolizes the shared ancestry of the Vietnamese people and underpins the enduring tradition of honoring Au Co as the nation’s ancestral mother. The temple was established during the Later Le Dynasty and was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in 1991.

The temple’s main sanctuary houses a revered wooden statue of Mother Au Co, dating to the 19th century and recognized as a National Treasure of Vietnam in 2020. The site remains an important center of spiritual life, particularly during the annual festival held around the seventh day of the first lunar month, when pilgrims gather to offer incense and participate in traditional ceremonies. A visit offers insight into Vietnam’s beliefs about ancestral origins, filial gratitude and cultural continuity.