The gods or deities are believed to protect the village from natural disasters or calamities and bring fortune.

thành hoàng is a Sino-Vietnamese word, literally referring to the city wall and the moat that surrounds it.

No later than Đinh dynasty, each locality started to worship the mountain and river gods that ruled over a domain which encompassed their village.

Later on, the government decreed the deification of late national heroes, righteous officials and loyal subjects, and specific localities were chosen to exalt these gods.

Gradually other common folks took up the practice and worshipped their own gods to be blessed with protection and fortune.