Phu Cam: An attractive tourist destination

Tourists visit Phu Cam.

According to documents still kept at the Department of Culture and Society of the People's Committee of Dinh Hoa commune, it is said that, during the reign of King Tran Thanh Tong (1258-1278), in Cam Truong 2 village, Dinh Hoa commune, natural disasters and epidemics occurred, causing many difficulties in people's lives. In the village, there was a couple, Mr. Hoang Trung and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phuong, who had good economic conditions and often helped families in the commune who were facing many difficulties and hardships. They had been married for a long time but still had no children. Mr. Trung discussed with his wife to set up an altar to pray to heaven and earth for a child. After setting up the altar, they bought offerings to worship heaven and earth. Later, Mrs. Phuong became pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl named Bach Hoa. She had skin as white as snow, bright eyes, and lips as red as lipstick. When she grew up, Bach Hoa was very intelligent and gentle, often helping the poor in the village. Since Bach Hoa was born, no natural disasters have occurred, crops have always been bountiful, and people's lives here have been prosperous and happy.

At the age of 21, Bach Hoa took a boat to the river to sightsee. Suddenly, a heavy rain and strong wind sank the boat, taking Bach Hoa with them. A few days later, her body drifted to the riverbank. People recovered it, held a funeral, and built a temple to worship her on the bank of Cau Chay River in Cam Truong 2 village. Later, the temple to worship Bach Hoa was called Phu Cam.

When the Yuan-Mongol invaders invaded our country, the king directly led troops to move by water to fight the enemy. When arriving at Phu Cam, a storm suddenly arose, making it impossible for the boats to move. Seeing this, the king went to the temple to burn incense. After burning incense, the sky and earth became peaceful, the river was calm, and the fleet of boats set sail towards the enemy. The king won this battle. On the way back to the capital, the king went to Phu Cam to offer gifts, burn incense, give the people money to repair Phu Cam and issue a decree to confer the title of god.

In 1935, the Cam Palace was restored and embellished by the villagers' contributions of labor and money. Experiencing historical events, in the 60s of the 20th century, Cam Palace was damaged and became a ruin. With the support of philanthropists and the people, children working far from home, in 2015, the Cam Palace relic was restored and embellished on the old foundation with an area of 7,000 square meters. Every year on the 10th of January (the birthday of Bach Hoa) and the 13th of June (the death anniversary of Bach Hoa), incense offerings are held at the Cam Palace relic to commemorate her contributions. In 2019, Cam Palace was recognized by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee as a provincial-level tourist destination. In recent years, Cam Palace has attracted many people and tourists to visit and sightsee.

Mr. Hua Duc Anh in Hac Thanh ward - who has been to Phu Cam shared: "Phu Cam has its back against the Voi mountain complex, facing Cau Chay river, about 1km from Nga Ba Bong. The campus and parking lot of Phu Cam are invested synchronously, very convenient for people to visit and sightsee. Coming here, I feel calm, peaceful, leaving behind all worries, making my soul relaxed".

Head of the Department of Culture and Society of Dinh Hoa Commune, Ngo Thi Hanh, said: "To build Phu Cam into a spiritual tourist destination, Dinh Hoa Commune continues to promote the value of Phu Cam on mass media. At the same time, connect Phu Cam with the Han Son scenic relic cluster (Tong Son Commune), Khuong Cong Phu Temple (Dinh Hoa Commune), Dong Co Cave (Quy Loc Commune), Yen Trung tourist village (Yen Truong Commune)... to attract tourists to visit and worship. Mobilize all resources to invest in building traffic infrastructure; strengthen security, order and safety for tourists; renovate and embellish the landscape, green, clean and beautiful campus".

Article and photos: Xuan Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/phu-cam-diem-du-lich-hap-dan-268897.htm