Cao Bang: Ky Sam Temple

The Ky Sam Temple is dedicated to Nung Tri Cao, a Tay leader of the 11th century who led the largest uprising during the feudal era in the northern border region. The later stages of this uprising were nation-building activities and mainly took place in Guangxi, China. The temple is located in Tuong Cam commune, Thach Lam district, now Hamlet 9, Vinh Quang commune, Cao Bang city.

The temple is located at the foot of Ky Sam (Khau Sam) mountain on a large grounds of about one (01) hectare; the temple architecture is characteristic of the Yuan Dynasty, built in the shape of the Chinese character "二" (two), consisting of a worship hall and a rear sanctuary. The worship hall has three bays with solid walls, a rolling door in the front, and two doors in the back leading into the rear sanctuary. The interior is 18m deep and 7m wide. Ky Sam Temple was recognized as a National Historical Monument according to Decision No. 43-VH/QH, dated January 7, 1993, of the Minister of Culture and Information.

According to legend, the temple was once built on Khau Sam mountain, and every year on the tenth day of the first lunar month, the local people would bring offerings. In the past, the offerings included: 100 castrated chickens; one 100-kilogram pig; 100 liters of wine; 100 tubes of sticky rice; incense, flowers, fruits, and local specialty sweets (banh chung, banh khao, thuoc thec, khau sli, che lam...). Today, the offerings include: one castrated rooster, one pig's head weighing about 3-4 kg, one bottle of wine, one tray of sticky rice, fruits, sweets, incense, etc. (Source: pages 125, 126; Temples and Pagodas in Cao Bang ; National Ethnic Culture Publishing House). According to local elders, "The temple was located in a high place, and the people had a hard time traveling there every year for the pilgrimage. They wished the temple were at the foot of the mountain. After performing a ritual to request a change of location for the temple, that night there was a heavy rain and strong winds, and a cluster of debris fell onto the temple's current location."

In the Ky Sam temple, in the main hall, there is a horizontal plaque inscribed "Hai Duc Son Cong," expressing profound gratitude for the boundless merits of Nong Tri Cao. Inside the sanctuary are three altars: the central one dedicated to Nong Tri Cao, the left one to A Nung - Nong Tri Cao's mother, and the right one to his three wives: Vuong Lan Anh, Doan Hong Ngoc, and Tran Thi Cam.