Bac Ninh: Nghi Khuc Pagoda and Niem Xa Pagoda received the Certificate of ranking as Historical - Cultural Relics

VHO - With their typical values, Nghi Khuc Pagoda (Phap An Tu), located in An Binh Ward, Thuan Thanh Town and Niem Xa Pagoda (Linh Quang Tu), located in Kinh Bac Ward, Bac Ninh City, have been ranked as provincial-level historical and cultural relics by the Chairman of Bac Ninh Provincial People's Committee.

On June 22, the People's Committee of An Binh Ward, Thuan Thanh Town held a ceremony to receive the Provincial Historical - Cultural Relic Ranking Certificate for Nghi Khuc Pagoda (Phap An Tu), located in An Binh Ward, Thuan Thanh Town.

Nghi Khuc Pagoda was originally built during the Le Dynasty (15th-16th century) on a large scale, and was originally named “Dong Phao Tu”. According to the stone stele “Dong Phao Tu Tan Tao Thieu Huong Tien Duong Bi” erected in the first year of Doan Thai (1586), it is stated that when it was first built, the pagoda had a “Nhat” shaped architecture, consisting of 3 Tam Bao rooms.

Ceremony to receive the Provincial Historical - Cultural Relic Ranking Certificate to Nghi Khuc Pagoda

In the year At Dau (1585), the pagoda was renovated with the new Front Hall, Incense Burning Hall, and Upper Hall. The outermost is the Tam Quan bell tower, built with 2 floors and 8 roofs. At that time, the pagoda had the architecture of the letter "Cong". In the 18th century, Monk Hai Huu was the one who succeeded the abbot of the pagoda and changed the name of the pagoda "Dong Phao" to "Phap An" and it has been passed down to this day.

Through the ups and downs of history, under the impact of time, the pagoda's structures were degraded, damaged and underwent many restorations and repairs. In 2005, the local government and people donated to rebuild the Tam Bao building on the old foundation. Other structures such as the Ancestor House, the Mother House, the Dia Tang House... were also restored and embellished according to the ancient traditional architecture.

Nghi Khuc Pagoda is a place to worship Buddha, ancestors, Mother Goddess and Ksitigarbha, and is a place for cultural and religious activities of local people. Every year, many cultural and religious activities take place at the pagoda, including the pagoda festival which is also the pagoda's founder's death anniversary, held on August 30 and October 20 of the lunar calendar.

With its outstanding values, Nghi Khuc Pagoda (Phap An Tu) was honored to be ranked as a Historical - Cultural Relic by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee according to Decision No. 970/QD-UBND, dated June 6, 2025. This is the honor and pride of the local government and people, thereby affirming the attention of the Party, State and authorities at all levels in the work of preserving relics, contributing to building a Vietnamese culture "Advanced with strong national identity".

At the ceremony, the People's Committee of An Binh Ward approved the Decision on the establishment and launch of the Management Board of Nghi Khuc Pagoda's historical and cultural relic; organized a ceremony to receive the Provincial Historical and Cultural Relic Ranking Certificate from the People's Committee of An Binh Ward to Nghi Khuc Pagoda along with many cultural and religious activities.

Niem Xa Pagoda has many historical, cultural, scientific , aesthetic and artistic values.

Previously, on June 20, the People's Committee of Kinh Bac ward, Bac Ninh city also held a ceremony to receive the Provincial Historical - Cultural Relic Certificate at Niem Xa Pagoda (ie Linh Quang Tu).

According to history books, Niem Xa Pagoda was built during the Nguyen Dynasty and has undergone many renovations. In 2002, due to severe deterioration of the structures, the pagoda was rebuilt on the old foundation with a traditional appearance but on a larger scale, spacious and majestic.

The pagoda currently has the following structures: Tam Bao, To House, and Mau House. Tam Bao building has a Dinh-shaped architecture including a 7-room front hall, a 3-room upper hall, a concrete frame, and a roof truss system with a gong-shaped upper seat and a seven-porch lower seat.

The doors open in the 5 front compartments facing west in the style of a panel door. The temple has a closed-end, armrest-style architecture. The roof is covered with tiles and the temple's name (Linh Quang Tu) is engraved in Chinese characters on the top.

The fact that Niem Xa Pagoda was ranked as a provincial relic not only recognizes its historical and religious value but also affirms the role of Niem Xa Pagoda in the spiritual life of the community. Preserving and promoting the value of the relic is a common responsibility of the whole society, contributing to preserving cultural heritage, educating traditions and developing local tourism.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/bac-ninh-chua-nghi-khuc-va-chua-niem-xa-don-nhan-bang-xep-hang-di-tich-lich-su-van-hoa-145300.html