Generations of teachers and students at Thoai Ngoc Hau Specialized High School are proud of the school's Memorial Temple. Photo: Phuong Lan
Sacred Origin
The journey of the Teacher Memorial Temple began with sincere gratitude. Ms. Nguyen Kim Nuong, a former student and teacher at Thoai Ngoc Hau Specialized High School, shared: “The Teacher Memorial Temple was built in 1943 in the former Long Xuyen provincial school area to commemorate and honor the pioneering teachers who brought literacy and education to this still-difficult region. In 1948, when the structure was located within the grounds of Thoai Ngoc Hau Secondary School (the former name of Thoai Ngoc Hau Specialized High School), it became an indispensable traditional symbol for the teachers and students of the school.”
This sacred symbol has weathered the ups and downs of history. After 1975, the Temple of the Venerable Master fell into a state of severe disrepair. The worst was its demolition in 1981 to make way for another construction. Although only a small, temporary shrine remains to maintain the incense offerings, the flame of gratitude never dies out.
Since 2004, many former students have yearned to restore the Memorial Temple. In 2008, the Thoai Ngoc Hau Alumni Association was established. In early 2010, construction of the Memorial Temple officially resumed and was completed with a new architectural design, marking the return of the revered masters to their solemn "new home," reaffirming the profound historical, cultural, and educational value of this traditional temple.
The Teacher's Memorial Temple has become a place of worship for deceased teachers. Despite historical upheavals, the structure has been rebuilt and maintained to this day. Currently, the Teacher's Memorial Temple has expanded its scope, becoming a common place of worship for over 500 deceased teachers from all levels of education, from preschool and primary to secondary school, throughout the Long Xuyen, Binh Duc, and My Thoi wards.
Continuing the tradition of respecting teachers and valuing education.
Mr. Le Trung Liet, Chairman of the Trade Union of Thoai Ngoc Hau Specialized High School, shared his thoughts on the special role of the Teacher's Memorial Temple: “This place is not only a destination for students to express their deep gratitude to their predecessors, but also a tangible tradition for them to learn, preserve, and promote the principle of remembering one's roots. It is proof of the eternal bond of educators with the school, from life to death, creating a lasting traditional value. Besides special occasions like Vietnamese Teachers' Day (November 20th), the school still maintains solemn memorial services on the 15th and 30th of each month, ensuring that this flame of gratitude never dies out at the Teacher's Memorial Temple.”
For students, the Teacher's Memorial Temple is an extremely sacred and solemn space. Nguyen Hoang Tan, a 12th-grade biology student at Thoai Ngoc Hau High School for the Gifted, shared: "Whenever I face an important exam, I always come to the Teacher's Memorial Temple to light incense. This is a strong motivation that helps me do well and bring glory to the school's tradition." Tan expressed: "When I stop to read the names of the revered teachers, I deeply feel that each teacher is a very respectable person... Later, when I become successful, I will definitely return to the school to contribute."
Sharing the same sentiment, Do Mai Anh, a 12th-grade student specializing in literature at Thoai Ngoc Hau High School for the Gifted, sees the Teacher's Memorial Temple as a place of peace, the most vivid testament to the tradition of respecting and honoring teachers. For Mai Anh, this place is not only a place of worship for the deceased but also a source of spiritual strength, reminding each student of their responsibility to live up to the gratitude owed to their teachers.
| On May 30, 2025, the Vietnam Record Organization (VietKings) announced a Vietnamese record: An Giang Province (before the merger) was the first locality in the country to successfully implement the model "Each district, town, and city-level administrative unit has a Teacher's Memorial Temple," contributing to the education and promotion of the tradition of respecting teachers and remembering one's roots. From 1943 to 2024, the province had 11 such temples in 11 administrative units. This is vivid evidence of the tradition of respecting teachers being preserved and strongly promoted in An Giang. |
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/loi-hua-truoc-niem-su-tu-a466759.html
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