An ancient temple in the heart of Sa Pa.

Sa Pa Ward is the center of the famous Sa Pa National Tourist Area, renowned both domestically and internationally. It boasts not only a cool climate, beautiful natural scenery, and a modern urban environment, but also important historical and cultural relics, especially ancient temples such as Hang Pho Temple, Mau Son Temple, and Mau Thuong Temple. Among them, Hang Pho Temple, built in the 19th century and dedicated to Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, is a particularly attractive destination for tourists.

From the center of Sa Pa ward, travel along Phan Si Pang road to residential area number 6, Sa Pa ward, and you will see a small temple located right by the roadside; that is Hang Pho Temple.

According to feng shui principles, Hang Pho Temple has a "front water, back mountain" location. In front of the temple is the Muong Hoa Valley - a famous tourist attraction for visitors from near and far; behind the temple is a rocky mountain, creating a stable and majestic stance.

According to Mr. Dinh Van Tu, the owner of Hang Pho Temple, historical documents and elderly people in Sa Pa state that Hang Pho Temple was built in the 19th century and is one of the oldest temples in the Sa Pa region. It is a place of worship and remembrance of the merits of Hung Dao King Tran Quoc Tuan and other talented generals who fought in the three major battles against the Mongol invaders.

The temple is named Hang Pho Temple because it is located in one of the busiest and most bustling streets in Sa Pa in the past, a place frequently visited by tourists. Hang Pho Temple was built a long time ago and, having weathered the ups and downs of history, has been restored and renovated many times. To this day, Hang Pho Temple still retains its ancient charm with moss-covered tiled roofs, old trees, and ancient artifacts dating back to the past.

With its significant historical and cultural value, in 2005, Hang Pho Temple was recognized as a historical and cultural relic of Lao Cai province. Every year, on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month, people from the region gather at Hang Pho Temple to participate in the solemn and sacred ceremony commemorating the great contributions of Tran Quoc Tuan, the Great Saint Hung Dao. Not only on holidays and festivals, but even on ordinary days, Hang Pho Temple attracts a large number of locals and tourists who come to participate, offer incense, and pay their respects.

Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Linh, a resident of Cam Duong ward who frequently visits Hang Pho Temple to offer incense, said: "My family and I often go to Hang Pho Temple on the first and last days of each month, and at the beginning and end of the year. Every time I come here, I feel the temple's atmosphere is very sacred, bringing peace and tranquility to my heart. Not only my family but also many tourists from inside and outside the province come here to worship the Mother Goddess and the Saints, hoping for peace, good health, family happiness, and prosperity."

Although Hang Pho Temple is a provincial-level historical and cultural relic and an important spiritual tourism destination in Sa Pa ward, its current infrastructure faces many difficulties. Located on a narrow street, the temple has a small area, and many of its structures are dilapidated and damaged. In particular, the temple grounds lack parking, making it difficult for visitors to come and worship. Many visitors have expressed their hope that the temple will soon be restored and renovated to be more presentable.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dai from Lao Cai ward said: "I am a resident of Lao Cai ward and frequently visit Hang Pho Temple. I find the ancient temple very sacred, but many parts of it are currently in disrepair. I hope the temple will soon be renovated and repaired to make it more presentable for tourists to visit and worship."

In a discussion with us about solutions to enhance the value and restore the Hang Pho Temple, Mr. To Ngoc Lien, Chairman of the Sa Pa Ward People's Committee, said: The Hang Pho Temple, located along the Phan Si Pang road leading to the Cat Cat tourist area, is situated on a very narrow road. On weekends, the large number of tourists makes transportation difficult. In particular, the temple lacks parking, causing inconvenience for visitors. The Sa Pa Ward People's Committee has discussed plans to expand the temple's space, constructing it into different levels, and allocating parking space for tourists. Currently, the project is being adjusted, and resources, especially socialized resources, are being mobilized to invest in and upgrade the Hang Pho Temple to meet the requirements of spiritual tourism development in Sa Pa in the future.

Hang Pho Temple is an ancient temple of significant historical and cultural value, located within the system of important spiritual relics and structures of Sa Pa ward. It is hoped that in the near future, Hang Pho Temple will be restored and renovated to be more spacious and beautiful, meeting the spiritual needs of locals and tourists. This will promote the development of spiritual tourism, making Sa Pa a leading spiritual tourism center in the North, contributing to the goal of welcoming 12.2 million tourists to the Sa Pa National Tourist Area by 2030.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ngoi-den-co-giua-long-sa-pa-post888387.html