1. Introduction to the Mai An Tiêm Temple
1.1. Geographical location and how to get to the Mai An Tiêm Temple
The Mai An Tiêm Temple is located in Nga An commune, Thanh Hoa province, approximately 50 km northeast of Thanh Hoa city center. This land is famous for its long-standing tradition of growing watermelons, and is also the origin of this specialty fruit.
The Temple of Mai An Tiêm is located in Nga An commune - a land famous for its watermelon cultivation tradition. (Source: Collected)
From the center of Thanh Hoa, visitors only need about 1 hour to travel by car or motorbike to get there. The route from Hanoi to the temple has been significantly upgraded. After traveling along National Highway 1A, visitors turn onto National Highway 10 towards Thanh Hoa, passing through Nga Son commune and continuing to Nga An commune.
On the routes, the system of signposts to the Temple of Mai An Tiêm is clearly placed, helping visitors easily determine the route. The roads have been widened, creating convenient conditions for both coaches and personal vehicles when visiting.
1.2. The Legend of Mai An Tiêm and Historical Significance
The story of Mai An Tiêm is one of the legends that touches the hearts of many generations in Vietnamese culture. He was an adopted son cherished by King Hung. However, due to being exploited by bad people who falsely told the king about his honesty and integrity in expressing his views on the riches bestowed by the king, Mai An Tiêm's family was exiled to an island.
In this desolate place, Mai An Tiêm and his family faced countless challenges to survive. Finding strange seeds brought by birds, he persistently cultivated and cared for them. When the first harvest yielded ripe red watermelons, he sent them out to sea hoping whoever received them would know of his labor. From here, watermelons were widely spread, and Mai An Tiêm was also accepted back to the court by the king.
This legend conveys a message about self-reliance, the will to overcome difficulties, and diligent creativity in labor. Mai An Tiêm became a symbol of the philosophy "gifts are worries, favors are debts", highlighting the value of one's own achievements. From then on, the watermelon became associated with the innovative, dynamic, and creative spirit of the Vietnamese people.
2. Architecture and Landscape of the Temple of Mai An Tiêm
2.1. Characteristic Architectural Style - Dinh Shape and Spiritual Space
Mai An Tiêm Temple is designed in the traditional Vietnamese architectural style. (Source: Collected)
Mai An Tiêm Temple is designed in the traditional Vietnamese architectural style with a characteristic Dinh-shaped layout, leaning against the majestic Dong Co mountain. The structure comprises two main areas: a spacious front hall with five bays and a sacred rear sanctuary with three bays for worship.
The expanded front hall creates a suitable space for welcoming visitors and organizing festival activities. The temple roof curves gracefully, adorned with delicate dragon and phoenix patterns, showcasing the unique characteristics of Thanh region's architecture. The meticulously carved pillars enhance the solemnity and majesty of the temple.
The rear sanctuary is the most sacred place, housing the memorial tablets of Mai An Tiêm's parents and a statue of him with hands holding a bright red watermelon, symbolizing his contribution to pioneering the watermelon cultivation. This space always maintains a serene and solemn atmosphere, suitable for rituals praying for peace and good fortune.
2.2. Surrounding space and natural scenery
The location of Mai An Tiêm Temple is harmoniously chosen, situated at the foot of Dong Co mountain and overlooking vast, lush green watermelon fields. The combination of ancient relics and beautiful nature creates a poetic landscape that attracts many tourists.
To the east of the temple is a mountain with steep cliffs, where many ancient poems about the mountain are preserved, like a lighthouse for the Than Phu pass. To the west are the lands that once belonged to the Mai An Tiêm family's watermelon fields; today, they are still filled with the green of newly planted watermelon rows.
The temple grounds are surrounded by shady trees, creating a cool space for visitors to relax. The ancient brick-paved paths, spacious courtyards, and small landscaping features are all ideal places to capture beautiful moments. Especially during the watermelon season, the scenery around the temple is filled with striking green and red, making it an attractive spot for visitors to take souvenir photos.
3. Journey to Mai An Tiêm Temple
3.1. Traveling from Ha Noi, Thanh Hoa to Nga Son
Tourists departing from Ha Noi can choose bus routes from Ha Noi to Nga Son departing from My Dinh bus station. The travel time lasts from 2.5 to 3 hours, with ticket prices ranging from 170,000 to 300,000 VND depending on the vehicle type. Many reputable bus companies like Van Anh, Binh Hoai regularly serve this route.
The journey from Hanoi to Mai An Tiem Temple. (Source: Google Maps)
If choosing personal transport, the route from Hanoi to Mai An Tiem Temple has been significantly improved. Following National Highway 10 through Ninh Binh then into Thanh Hoa, the total length is about 140 km, taking about 2.5 hours of driving for a car.
From the center of Thanh Hoa, visitors can take inter-provincial buses or taxis to Nga Son district. The Thanh Hoa - Nga Son bus route operates regularly from early morning to evening, with ticket prices from 30,000-50,000 VND. Additionally, taxis and ride-hailing services are well-developed, meeting visitors' flexible travel needs.
3.2. Intra-provincial travel, directions to the temple
Once in Nga Son commune, reaching Nga An commune to visit Mai An Tiem Temple becomes more convenient. From Nga Son bus station, visitors can hire a motorbike taxi or take an intra-district bus.
The distance from Nga Son town to the temple is about 10 km with upgraded road systems. Along the route, there are many signs for "Mai An Tiem Temple", helping self-driving visitors easily determine the direction. The lush green watermelon fields along the road are also signs that you are on the right track.
During festivals, local authorities often organize free buses from Nga Son commune to the temple to facilitate visitors. In addition, tourist electric vehicles and motorbike taxis are also concentrated in the bus station area, ready to serve visitors at reasonable costs.
4.2. Intra-provincial travel, directions to Mai An Tiem Temple
The Mai An Tiem Temple festival is held annually from the 12th to the 14th of the 3rd lunar month, attracting a large number of visitors and local residents. The ceremony begins with a palanquin procession from Van Duc village to the temple along a peaceful village road, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere.
The main ritual involves offering incense and reading eulogies praising Mai An Tiem's contributions to developing the watermelon cultivation. Local elders will lead the traditional ceremonies, recounting Mai An Tiem's resilient journey. Prayers for favorable harvests and family well-being are entrusted within the reverent space.
The festival part is vibrant with an art program themed "Mai An Tiem offers sweet fruits to life". Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy Thanh's folk melodies, traditional dance performances, and a lively watermelon growing competition among farming families. Folk games like 'ném còn' (javelin throwing), tug-of-war, and blindfolded goat catching bring laughter, creating a joyful atmosphere for all ages.
4.2. The significance of the Mai An Tiem festival to the community
The festival is not only a cultural event but also plays a significant role in traditional education and community bonding. It is an occasion for local people to remember Mai An Tiem's contributions in transforming a barren land into a prosperous place with vast watermelon fields.
Festival is an occasion for local people to commemorate the merits of Mai An Tiêm. (Source: Collected)
The festival contributes to connecting generations, helping young people understand more about their homeland's history, continuing the resilient spirit of their ancestors. Through the experience of growing melons, children learn lessons about patience, creativity in labor, and the will to overcome difficulties. The humanistic values of tradition are conveyed in the most vivid and relatable way.
Mai An Tiêm Temple during the festival season also becomes a gathering point for the Vietnamese community everywhere, including those returning from abroad. The atmosphere of solidarity and sharing during the festival contributes to fostering national pride and preserving traditional identity.
5. Interesting experiences when visiting Mai An Tiêm Temple
5.1. Visiting historical sites, checking in beautiful scenery
The statue of Mai An Tiem holding a watermelon in the inner sanctuary is also a point that attracts many tourists to take photos. (Source: Collected)
Mai An Tiem Temple has many ideal photo spots, suitable for tourists who love to capture beautiful moments. The front worship space with its curved roof and meticulously patterned pillars is a prominent backdrop for photos imbued with traditional cultural characteristics. The statue of Mai An Tiem holding a watermelon in the inner sanctuary is also a point that attracts many tourists to take photos.
The temple gate with its ancient architecture, stone steles, and the scenery of watermelon fields stretching behind the temple create impressive pictures. During the ripe watermelon season, the green color of the leaves stands out against the bright red of the fruit, creating a captivating accent.
When visiting the relic, tourists also have the opportunity to learn about history through the system of paintings and steles located within the premises. However, when visiting a sacred place, it is advisable to choose modest attire, maintain silence, and limit photography in the inner sanctuary to show respect for the sacred space, thereby having a peaceful and lucky experience on your trip.
5.2. Exchange on Traditional Watermelon Cultivation
A special experience at Mai An Tiem Temple is to interact with local farmers about traditional watermelon cultivation techniques. Tourists can personally participate in stages from sowing seeds, caring for young plants to harvesting ripe, juicy watermelons.
An Tiem watermelons have unique characteristics: dark green rind, bright red flesh, a subtly sweet taste, and few seeds. Farmers here are willing to share secrets from selecting soil, choosing the season to caring for the plants to achieve the best yield and quality.
Tourists can also directly buy fresh, delicious watermelons to take home as gifts. The watermelon cultivation profession is not only a cultural beauty but also the livelihood of many families around the temple, contributing to economic development and preserving traditions for generations.
6. Experience and Notes When Traveling to Mai An Tiem Temple
6.1. Suggested 1-Day Itinerary Combining Other Attractions in Nga An - Thanh Hoa
The journey to Mai An Tiem Temple can be combined with a full exploration of the Nga Son region in just one day. Starting at 7 AM, visitors should go to the temple to offer incense, learn about the legends, and admire the ancient architecture.
After about 9:30 AM, experience the reality at the watermelon fields near the temple, identify and harvest watermelons with the locals, learn about the plant care process, and take photos with the fresh green natural scenery.
Lunchtime is a suitable time to stop, enjoy fresh watermelon, snakehead fish soup, and 'banh rang bua' (a type of rice cake) at small eateries around the temple. In the afternoon, tourists can continue their journey to Tu Thuc Cave to explore the magical cave, or visit Han Son Pagoda to learn more about the spiritual culture of the Thanh Hoa region.
The Am Tien Legend is expected to become a new cultural and spiritual symbol of Thanh Hoa. (Source: Collected)
In the future, this journey may expand to include the Am Tien Legend destination, a spiritual tourism project being built in the Nui Nua mountain area, which is expected to become a new cultural and spiritual symbol of Thanh Hoa. Upon completion, this place promises to offer a space for worship and a unique spiritual experience, contributing to enriching the cultural - historical tourist route of this land.
6.2. Notes on attire and customs when visiting for worship
When visiting Mai An Tiêm Temple for festivals or spiritual rituals, visitors should choose respectful attire. Traditional Ao Dai or long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and long skirts are suitable options. Avoid wearing sleeveless shirts, skirts, or shorts that are too short when entering the temple area.
During the incense offering ceremony, visitors must wash their hands thoroughly, maintain a solemn posture, and not place small change on the altar statues but should put it in the donation box. During the ritual, maintain a solemn attitude, avoiding loud laughter or talking.
Specifically, avoid taking selfies in the inner sanctuary, especially when a ceremony is taking place. Respecting local beliefs and cultural beauty will leave a good impression and bring peace to the visitors themselves.
6.3. Tips for photography and souvenir shopping
Mai An Tiêm Temple is an ideal destination for photography enthusiasts. The best times for photography are early morning from 6 AM to 7 AM and in the afternoon from 5 PM to 6 PM, when the light is soft, creating a natural effect for the pictures. The temple's curved roof gate, the lovely flower garden, and the outdoor watermelon field are all wonderful backdrops for impressive photos.
The ancient stone stele recording the temple's history and the embroidered paintings of the Mai An Tiêm legend are also highlights with deep cultural value in every frame. Visitors should utilize natural light and limit the use of flash when photographing within the temple grounds.
Regarding gifts, fresh and delicious Mai An Tiêm watermelons are the top choice for family and friends. Additionally, handicrafts made from watermelon seeds such as prayer beads, keychains, or hand-embroidered paintings featuring Mai An Tiêm are also very popular. The area around the temple also sells many local specialties like Banh Rang Chua and Nga Son coconut candy at reasonable prices.
Mai An Tiêm Temple is truly a special destination that perfectly combines spiritual and historical values with a unique cultural experience. Exploring this place not only brings relaxing moments but also inspires the spirit of overcoming difficulties and creativity in life. Plan a visit to the temple to fully experience the cultural beauty of Nga Son and share your impressions!
