More than just a sacred spiritual destination, the temple stands as a living testament to the enduring vitality of folk culture in the spiritual life of the Northern Delta people over the centuries. According to ancient records preserved at the temple, it is dedicated to Vu Thi Thiet - a gentle, virtuous woman who is the central figure in the story “The Nam Xuong Woman”, written by Nguyen Du in the 16th-century collection Truyen Ky Man Luc (Tales of Marvels and Strange Events).

The legend tells that while her husband, Truong Sinh, was away serving in the army, Vu Thi Thiet stayed home, gave birth to their child, and faithfully maintained the family household. To comfort her son at night, she would point to her shadow on the wall and tell him it was his father. When Truong Sinh returned, he heard the child innocently mention that “Father comes home every night.” Overcome by jealousy, he wrongly accused his wife of infidelity. Unable to prove her innocence, Vu Thi Thiet, in despair, threw herself into the river. Only after her death did the truth come to light. Overcome with remorse, Truong Sinh built an altar by the riverbank to atone for his mistake. Moved by her virtue and tragic fate, the villagers built a temple in her honor, venerating her as “Saint Mother,” “Mau Huong Nuong,” or “Princess Huong.”

Through the changes of history, Ba Vu Temple has remained a place of spiritual reverence. Legend has it that during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, Lady Vu’s spirit appeared to aid the royal army in victory. In gratitude, the king ordered the temple to be restored and conferred it with royal recognition. Since then, Ba Vu Temple has become a sacred refuge for the riverside communities - a place where boatmen stop to offer incense, praying for calm waters, favorable winds, and national peace.

Architecturally, the temple retains its ancient charm, built in the traditional “Tam” (three-section) layout, consisting of the Front Hall, Main Sanctuary, and Rear Chamber. The Front Hall welcomes pilgrims and houses stone steles and royal decrees. The Main Sanctuary enshrines Lady Vu Thi Thiet along with divine mothers such as Thien Y A Na and Cao Son Dai Vuong. The Rear Chamber is dedicated to her children and preserves ancient relics tied to the Nam Xuong legend. Amid the vast river scenery, with its curved tiled roofs, tall stone pillars, and centuries-old shade trees, Ba Vu Temple emanates a serene, sacred beauty - a harmony of nature, architecture, and spirituality.

Every year, from the 18th to the 20th day of the 8th lunar month, the Ba Vu Temple Festival is held in an atmosphere that is both solemn and festive. Locals and visitors alike offer incense, participate in processions, and enjoy traditional folk performances. The festival is not only a tribute to the virtuous Lady Vu Thi Thiet but also an occasion for the community to express prayers for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests.

Recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic since 1993, Ba Vu Temple preserves not only the legend of The Nam Xuong Woman but also symbolizes compassion, fidelity, and the eternal moral values that dwell in the heart of the Vietnamese people.

Take a journey to Ba Vu Temple in Ninh Binh, listen to the thousand-year echoes of legend, feel the pure spirit of Vietnamese faith, and let your heart be touched by timeless humanistic values that have endured through the ages.