Hidden Gem of Saigon: Discover Đình Bình Đông on Bà Tàng Islet
Dear Saigon readers and history lovers, let's take a moment to visit a special corner of Saigon — the sacred, history-laden national relic of Đình Bình Đông, peacefully situated beside the Kênh Đôi canal in District 8.
From a simple thatched house to a national relic
Originally a humble thatched house used by local villagers for meetings and communal worship, the site that became Đình Bình Đông predates 1853 and received a royal grant (sắc phong) in the reign of Emperor Tự Đức, confirming its long-standing role in the community.
Over time the structure underwent several restorations; major rebuilding in the early 20th century changed the roof to tiles and added wooden walls and beams while keeping the traditional Southern đình layout. After wartime damage in 1968, the đình was reconstructed again in 1991 using stronger materials (concrete and steel) but preserved the original architectural form. A concrete bridge opened in 2017 improved access and helped bring the relic closer to visitors.
Traditional southern village architecture by the waterways
Visiting Bình Đông presents a classic Nam Bộ đình arrangement: the central Chánh điện with the Võ ca beside it, flanked by the East and West wings (Đông lang and Tây lang).
- A wide, tree-filled courtyard and three gates all facing the canal create a peaceful atmosphere — a miniature riverside western-region scene within the city.
- The main gate follows the traditional tam quan form, and the roof is decorated with the familiar "two dragons contesting a pearl" (lưỡng long tranh châu) motif.
- Inside the Chánh điện, many antique ritual objects remain intact, such as the thờ khám (altar cabinet) and a bá tứ/bát bửu set, embodying Vietnamese spiritual heritage.
A red landmark of revolutionary history
Đình Bình Đông is more than a religious site — it is a "địa chỉ đỏ" (red address) linked to major revolutionary events:
- It was a base where Tôn Đức Thắng established a clandestine workers' association in the early 1920s, a precursor to Vietnam's trade-union movement.
- During the resistance wars, the đình served as an important communications base, a conduit for moving weapons into the city, and in 1968 functioned as an artillery position for Vietnamese forces during the Tet Offensive.
Why visit?
A visit to Đình Bình Đông combines cultural immersion, architectural appreciation, and a vivid lesson in local history — all set on a small islet amid Saigon's waterways. It's an evocative spot where spiritual life and revolutionary memory meet.
Have you been?
Have you visited this special relic? Share your impressions or tag a friend you'd like to explore it with.
- Tags: #DinhBinhDong #Quan8 #NationalRelic #SaigonHistory #VietnameseCulture #ExploreSaigon #RedLandmark #TonDucThang #TraditionalArchitecture
