Thanh Binh Tu Duong – Traditional Tuong Art Sanctuary

Established in the 5th year of Minh Mang's reign (1825), Thanh Binh Tu Duong serves as a place of worship for revered deities in Tuong, including Holy Masters, Immortal Masters, Ancestors, and those who contributed significantly to the traditional Vietnamese classical opera.

Thanh Binh Tu Duong – Home of Time-Honored Tuong Art

The existence of this temple is intricately tied to the history of Tuong art development in Hue. Under the rule of the Nguyen lords and later King Nguyen, Tuong art reached its pinnacle with the court style, earning the title of the 'National Drama' of the land of Central Vietnam.

Thanh Binh Tu Duong is located at 281 Chi Lang Alley, Phu Hiep Ward, Hue City. Like many other historical sites built by the Nguyen dynasty, Thanh Binh Tu Duong is essentially a Hue-style three-bay, two-hip-roof house with brick walls, wooden roofs, and tiled roofs. The rafters, purlins, and decorative carvings are simple. The house faces east and underwent renovations in 1958, 1992, and 2000.

The gate from the street is 2.85m wide, 3.20m high, with two pillars on either side reaching 3.80m. At the top of each pillar is a carved image of a wine gourd, 0.45m high, surrounded by a fence. Behind the gate is a 660-square-meter courtyard, formerly used for performances. The remaining artifacts include a stone stele carved in the year of construction on the left, and on the right, a stele commemorating those who contributed to the renovations in 1958.

Before the temple entrance stands a large lacquered horizontal board adorned with gold, engraved with the inscription “Thanh Binh Tu Duong,” crafted in the 6th year of Tu Duc's reign (1853). Additionally, preserved within the temple are fabric scrolls (Family Tree of Tu Duong) and royal seals bestowed by King Minh Mang, all precious ancient artifacts.

Thanh Binh Tu Duong is a place of reverence for deities and individuals who have contributed to the art of Boi singing (known as “Tuong” in Hue). Beyond honoring deities and ancestors related to the profession, there are altars dedicated to various industry deities. On the left side is the altar of Lord Mot, the guardian deity of the temple. Following are altars for Emperor Quan Thanh, Thai Thuong Lao Quan, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Heavenly Immortals, Earthly Deities, Nine Heavenly Maidens, Honorable Lord Tôn Đức Hầu, Scholar Lưu Tiên Sinh, Goddess Ngọc Tiên Bà, Holy Mother Ngọc Mẫu, Earth God Thánh Thần, and Deity Đông Trù Tư Mệnh Táo Phủ, and Lord Sơn Lâm.

Each altar carries its own sacred significance. Near the entrance is a place of worship for the ancestral spirits of 12 artisanal trades. Trades, symbolizing different stages of a person's life, start with the earliest, such as forging, requiring a cutting cord, and end with the goldsmith ancestor.

In the most prominent spot is the seat of Lord Càn Cương Hầu, revered as the Ancestor of the Tuong profession. Legend has it that he hailed from China, invited by King Minh Mang to teach singing to the Vietnamese. Another theory suggests that Càn Cương Hầu was Vietnamese, learning the Chinese singing style and imparting it to the locals.

This altar also features an offering for 27 master teachers of the Tuong profession. Before gracing the stage, actors light incense and bow to seek the guidance of these masters for their performances. When the opera troupes cease their activities, the masters are ceremoniously escorted to this altar.

During the Nguyen era, Thanh Binh Tu Duong gained widespread recognition. Annually, a grand ceremony is organized for three days, drawing Boi singing troupes from all corners of the country.

The first day involves rituals and preparations. The main ceremony unfolds on the second day with a solemn ceremony featuring Thất kích and the Đại đàn ceremonial singing. The third day is for offerings and cleanup. Over time, the ceremony's rituals have dwindled and been simplified.

Hence, the Conservation Center of Hue Ancient Capital has recreated the Thanh Binh Tu Duong ceremony following the Nguyen dynasty's rituals to honor the ancestral profession and dedicated artists.

Historically, the surrounding neighborhood of Tu Duong has been a cradle for nurturing many performers within the royal court. In the past, when a Tuong troupe performed, a large crowd of locals and tourists gathered to watch. Many shows extended into the night, yet some spectators stayed to savor the performances. As time went on, for various reasons, such performances became increasingly rare.

Due to its significant historical and cultural values, Thanh Binh Tu Duong has been recognized as a national heritage site. Influenced by war and weather, the site is currently deteriorating, with walls showing numerous cracks, and beams and columns affected by decay. The courtyard is utilized by locals for planting ornamental trees, gathering wooden planks, leading to a loss of its aesthetic appeal.

Despite the changes over time and the diminished dominance of Tuong art, Thanh Binh Tu Duong remains a sacred place, a gathering point for descendants in the profession during ancestral ceremonies. Faith in the ancestral masters helps those in the profession stay true to the ancient art. The cultural and spiritual significance of the temple inspires people to strive for excellence in their careers and cultivate goodness in life.

According to Mytour

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour