Fire safety review conducted ahead of the Nguyen Trung Truc Festival.

Ensuring fire safety at Nguyen Trung Truc Temple is extremely important, not only in terms of material aspects but also in terms of its cultural and historical value.

The traditional festival commemorating the 156th anniversary of the sacrifice of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc (1868 - 2024) (referred to as the Festival) this year will take place from September 28th to 30th, and is expected to attract a large number of people from all over. To ensure the safety of the Festival, the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police force of Kien Giang province has conducted a comprehensive inspection to ensure absolute safety for the historical site as well as for visitors from all over.

Authorities conducted inspections of records, fire extinguishers, and automatic fire alarm systems within the temple grounds. They also thoroughly inspected electrical areas and other areas prone to fire hazards, as well as the electrical system itself. They checked the arrangement of property, goods, vehicles, emergency exits, and the use of heat sources and flames in areas where incense is burned or votive offerings are made.

The fire protection system at Nguyen Trung Truc communal house is fully equipped and operating stably. Photo: Tien Dung

Lieutenant Colonel Danh Cuong, Deputy Head of the Firefighting and Rescue Team, Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, Kien Giang Provincial Police, stated: “The fire prevention and fighting system at the temple is fully equipped and operating stably. However, some wiring has not been properly installed, and the placement of cooking gas cylinders is not optimal. We have reminded the Temple Management Board to rectify these issues immediately to avoid potential fire and explosion risks.”

The Nguyen Trung Truc communal house has a wooden structure and is decorated with many flammable materials. If a fire or explosion occurs, the consequences will be very serious. Not only will there be material losses, but the cultural and historical value associated with these structures will also be threatened.

Mr. Dang Cong Binh, a member of the Management Board of the Nguyen Trung Truc Tomb and Temple historical and cultural relic site, said: “In recent times, the Management Board has paid very strict attention to fire prevention and control at the temple. We closely coordinate with functional forces, regularly inspect and maintain fire prevention and control equipment, especially during major festivals. In addition, the Management Board also organizes training sessions for staff and those directly working at the temple on how to handle fire and explosion incidents.”

Authorities also disseminated information to owners of rice farms, those in charge of cooking, and small traders operating stalls at the trade fair about the use of fire extinguishers and the evacuation of people in case of emergency, so that everyone could improve their skills and awareness of fire prevention and control.

The task force requested that business owners not allow materials and goods to obstruct emergency exits, not make unauthorized electrical connections, and not burn incense or votive offerings to prevent fires and explosions.

Mr. Nguyen Van Sau, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Kien Giang province, said: Kien Giang is upgrading the festival, strengthening management, beautifying and restoring... in order to strive to have the Nguyen Trung Truc Tomb and Temple historical and cultural relic become a Special National Monument in the near future.

Previously, on October 10, 2023, Kien Giang province held a ceremony to receive the National Intangible Cultural Heritage certificate for "Nguyen Trung Truc Temple Festival - Rach Gia city, Kien Giang province".

The historical and cultural site of the Tomb and Temple of National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc in Rach Gia City is not only a place of worship for the national hero, but also an important historical and cultural relic of Kien Giang province. Every year, it attracts a large number of visitors, with the peak being during the three main days of the Nguyen Trung Truc Festival (also affectionately known as the Commemoration Ceremony of Mr. Nguyen). At the 2023 festival, it welcomed approximately 1.2 - 1.5 million visitors.

Source: https://dantoctongiao.laodong.vn/tin-tuc/ra-soat-an-toan-chay-no-truoc-them-le-hoi-nguyen-trung-truc-1399254.html