Buzz
the shrines of Hung King, King Ngo Quyen, King Le Dai Hanh, King Dinh Tien Hoang, and Lord Phung Hung.
A corner filled with mystique at the Hung King shrine.
1. Hung King Shrine
Located approximately 90km from the capital Hanoi, the Historical Relic Complex of Hung Kings Temple is situated in Co Tich village, Hy Cuong commune, Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province. This is where the Hung Kings, who are credited with establishing the Van Lang kingdom - the legendary first state in Vietnamese history, are worshipped.
“No matter who goes against or with the flow/ Remember the death anniversary of our Ancestors on the 10th of March.”
The gate of Hung Kings Temple adorned with bas-reliefs of two warriors, one holding a spear and the other wielding a mace.
I visited Hung Kings Temple on a late November afternoon with a myriad of unfamiliar emotions. This place has always been present in my history textbooks at school and in my childhood storybooks. Setting foot in this sacred place today brings me great joy. Hung Kings Temple is situated on Mount Hung and is a particularly significant historical and cultural relic of the nation. According to the provincial information portal of Phu Tho province, the entire area of the ancient Hung Kings Temple complex used to be a tropical primeval forest, but now only Mount Hung remains lush and green.
Scenic view from Mount Hung
Hung Kings Temple comprises several shrines such as Lower Temple (with the 'Dragon's Eye' well where Mother Au Co hatched her eggs and a stele inscribed with Uncle Ho's admonition 'The Hung Kings contributed to the nation's establishment/ It's our descendants' duty to preserve it'). Next is Middle Temple (where the Hung Kings and tribal leaders discussed state affairs). The relic area also includes Upper Temple (for conducting religious ceremonies) and Hung Kings' Mausoleum (depicting the sixth Hung King). In addition to the mentioned temples, there are also Well Temple, Ancestral Temple of Mother Au Co, and Hung Vuong Museum for you to explore.
Thien Quang Pagoda near Lower Temple
A venerable corner of Hung Kings Temple
2. Shrine of King Ngo Quyen
When we mention the glorious Bach Dang battle in 938, we immediately think of Ngo Quyen - a legendary King in our national history. The tomb of King Ngo Quyen sits atop a high hill in Duong Lam commune (Hanoi).
Tomb of King Ngo Quyen
The shrine of the King is built on the upper side, about 100m away from the tomb. The courtyard is filled with many green trees, including many ancient trees, rumored to be where the King tied his horses and elephants. At Dai Bai (Front Hall), you will broaden your understanding of Ngo Quyen's background and career. Lighting incense for the King in the Inner Court, I felt mesmerized by the intricate decorations of the shrine and the fragrant smoke-filled space around the King's statue.
3. Shrine of Lord Phung Hung
Not far from the shrine of Ngo Quyen lies the renowned shrine of Lord Phung Hung, a prominent figure in Vietnamese history. He was credited with repelling the Tang invaders and safeguarding our nation's borders in the 8th century. The shrine boasts unique architecture, with my sister recalling that while there are many King's shrines scattered everywhere, the one in Duong Lam is the largest, comprising main, auxiliary, front hall, and inner court structures. Visiting here, you'll hear magnificent legends about this King, inevitably marveling at his talents.
Tranquil scenery at the shrine of Phung Hung
4. Shrine of King Dinh Tien Hoang
Dinh Tien Hoang was a skilled King of our nation, famously associated with the story of suppressing the 12 rebellious warlords in history. King Dinh's Temple is located within the ancient capital complex of Hoa Lu (in Truong Yen commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province). King Dinh's Temple was built on the foundation of the ancient imperial palace of Hoa Lu in the 17th century.
According to Wikipedia, King Dinh's Temple was constructed in the “domestic work, foreign style” architecture with 3 main sections: Bai Duong, Thieu Huong, and Chinh Cung. In front of the dragon yard stands a collapsed dragon's bed with the image of a dragon holding a woman's hand. Behind the dragon's bed is the main temple area with characteristic tiled roofs like other temples and intricate dragon motifs. Besides the main temple, this complex also features a spacious courtyard shaded by intermingling green trees, enhancing the sacred beauty of King Dinh's Temple.
The solemn secondary gate at King Dinh's Temple exudes ancient charm.
5. Shrine of King Le Dai Hanh
With its ancient moss-covered appearance, the Shrine of King Le Dai Hanh is also a famous tourist spot in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. Adjacent to the Shrine of King Dinh Tien Hoang, the Shrine of King Le also features a similar architectural style to that of King Dinh's Shrine, known as “domestic work, foreign style,” consisting of Bai Duong, Thieu Huong, and Chinh Cung. However, the difference lies in entering the shrine through the eastern gate, which features additional motifs and lacks the stone thresholds with ancient stone blocks.
The main hall at the Shrine of Le Dai Hanh exudes grandeur.
If Bai Duong has three large gold-plated plaques (unfortunately, I can't remember the names) and Thieu Huong is dedicated to the ancestral worship of the Early Le Dynasty, in Chinh Cung, there are statues of King Le, Queen Duong Van Nga, and the statue of Le Long Dinh. As an archaeology enthusiast, you shouldn't miss the excavation area to the south of the shrine. This is the site of the ancient palace foundation with many historically significant artifacts found.
And so, my journey exploring the ancient King's shrines in Vietnam comes to a close. Each place evokes unique emotions, but ultimately, it's a profound pride in Vietnam's illustrious history. I hope if you have the opportunity to visit the provinces mentioned above, you'll stop by to light incense as a sign of reverence for the talented kings of our nation.
Author: Pham Thi My Anh
*Article participating in the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, part of the Mytour Go & Share program. It's a fantastic opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Contributor with Mytour. For detailed information about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
