The sacred ancient temple dedicated to Saint Tran

The annual Dong An Temple Festival attracts a large number of people from Thai Nien commune and visitors from all over to celebrate and pay their respects.

The Vietnamese people have a glorious history of thousands of years of fighting against foreign invaders. Many outstanding political , military, and cultural figures have contributed to the nation and its people, and are remembered and revered by generations, such as Ngo Quyen, Le Loi, Quang Trung, Ly Thuong Kiet, and Dinh Bo Linh. Among them, Tran Hung Dao stands out as an exceptional figure of talent and virtue, excelling in both military and literary arts; a great personality, a military genius whose name is associated with the glorious victories of repelling the Mongol invaders three times, especially the Battle of Bach Dang. Because of his boundless merit, after his death, Tran Hung Dao was respectfully called "Saint Tran" or "Nine Heavens Martial Emperor." To commemorate his contributions and those of the brave generals and people who fought against foreign invaders, people everywhere have erected temples to express their profound gratitude and respect.

Young men in formal attire lead the procession during the ceremonial rites.

The offerings were sincerely prepared by the people to respectfully present to the Holy Saint and the deities at Dong An Temple.

Dong An Temple is an ancient name signifying the people's heartfelt gratitude to General Tran Quoc Tuan, a subordinate of Hung Dao Dai Vuong, who played a crucial role in repelling the Mongol invaders and protecting the northern border of the country. While the exact age of Dong An Temple has not been precisely determined, archaeological excavations have uncovered many historically valuable artifacts at the temple's foundation, dating back to the Le Dynasty (18th century). This is one of the relics dedicated to Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan and holds significant spiritual meaning for generations of people.

The intricately crafted motifs in the temple, painted in red and gold, create an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence.

Having weathered many historical ups and downs, the temple still stands today in the fields of Quyet Tam village, Thai Nien commune, Bao Thang district. Strategically located along the Red River, at the former Bao Thang border gate, the temple serves both as a cultural and spiritual landmark marking territorial sovereignty in the border region and as one of the secret revolutionary sites of the Bao Thang people and army during the resistance against French colonialism.

The statue of Saint Tran Duc is cast from a single block of bronze weighing over 3,000 kg, along with dozens of ounces of gold donated by devout people during the ceremonial melting and casting of the statue.

According to Ms. Le Thi Thuy, Secretary of the Party Committee of Thai Nien commune: Dong An Temple is a sacred temple that has been worshipped by the people for hundreds of years. Every year, at the beginning of the spring season, the temple holds a large festival to welcome people and tourists from all over to offer incense in remembrance of "Duc Ong," praying for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and prosperity for all families. The commune and local authorities are gradually upgrading the infrastructure so that the temple can soon become a major national-level spiritual tourism destination.

Locals and tourists from all over come to offer their sincere devotion and contribute to the construction of the temple, commemorating the great contributions of Saint Tran in repelling foreign invaders and securing the borders of the country.

As the temple's caretaker since 2008, Ms. Dang Thi Van shared with reporters: "The temple is very sacred. When I was little, in front of the temple was the railway line connecting Lao Cai with the lowland provinces. The area was overgrown with trees and deserted." Pointing to a precious, cracked ancient bell hanging in front of the altar, Ms. Van added that someone had taken the bell, but later, due to unfortunate circumstances, it had to be returned to the temple. The incident has not been verified, but it is evidence of the people's faith in the sacredness and efficacy of the Temple of Saint Tran.

Locals and tourists alike always respectfully turn their thoughts towards Dong An Temple whenever they have the opportunity to make a pilgrimage.

According to the Temple Management Board, the 23rd day of the first lunar month each year is the day of the Dong An Temple Festival (also known as the New Year's Seal Opening Ceremony); the 20th day of the eighth lunar month each year is the main feast day (anniversary), for visitors from all over to come and offer incense to commemorate Saint Tran and the deities worshipped here.

Mr. Do Ngoc Son, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Nien commune, added: "With its historical value discovered through archaeological work, in 2016 Dong An Temple was recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as a provincial-level historical and cultural relic. It has been rebuilt with a solid structure in the ancient 'front-first, back-third' architectural style on a planned area of ​​nearly 18 hectares. The local people are extremely excited and proud, wholeheartedly working together to preserve, build, and develop the temple so that it will soon be worthy of its status as a national historical relic; creating a foundation for the development of tourism and contributing to gradually improving the economic, cultural, and social lives of the people."

Whenever the temple holds a grand ceremony, the villages organize a competition to choose the village with the most elaborate offering tray to present to the Holy Deity.

With its convenient location right in the heart of Bao Thang district, Dong An Temple promises to be an attractive spiritual tourism destination not to be missed when exploring Lao Cai, along with many other famous historical sites in the district such as: Lien Hoa Pagoda (Phong Nien commune); Ngoi Bo Temple (Gia Phu commune); the famous Tien Cave in Xuan Quang commune; Dau Nhuan Waterfall in Phu Nhuan commune,… Along with the system of sacred temples of Lao Cai province such as: Ong Hoang Bay Temple, Thuong Temple, Mau Temple, Cam Temple, Quan Temple, Doi Co Temple... These are spiritual tourism destinations that attract millions of visitors for sightseeing, worship, and rituals every year.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/lao-cai-linh-thieng-ngoi-den-co-tho-duc-thanh-tran-10280552.html