Monuments worshiping General Doan Nhu Hai

(Baonghean) - Doan Nhu Hai (1280 - 1335) was a famous person in the Tran Dynasty, from Hoi Xuyen village, Truong Tan district, Hong Chau route (now Gia Loc district - Hai Duong). According to historical records, when he was not yet 20 years old, while still a scholar, he was appointed by King Tran Anh Tong as Royal Historian, with the duty of advising the king. Later, thanks to his great contributions during the mission to Champa, he was appointed as Tham tri chinh su, then Tri khu mat vien su.

Procession at Cua Rao Temple Festival.

In 1335, the Nam Nhung hamlet (in the western part of Nghe An) was harassed and invaded by the Laotian bandits. The retired Emperor Tran Minh Tong personally led troops there to suppress the bandits. While holding the position of Kinh Luoc Dia Su of Nghe An and commanding the Than Vu and Than Sach armies, Doan Nhu Hai was appointed as the General. In this position, he directly led troops to fight the Laotian bandits. In a fierce battle taking place on the banks of the Tiet La River (near the source of the Lam River today), due to an inaccurate assessment of the enemy's situation and being obscured by clouds and fog, Doan Nhu Hai and the Tran Dynasty's generals were ambushed by the enemy. He and many soldiers fell into the river and drowned. Later, when the Tran Dynasty drove the Laotian bandits out of the western border of Dai Viet, moved by the loyalty and integrity of General Doan Nhu Hai, the people of the Nam Nhung hamlet built a temple to worship him in a village by the river to burn incense all year round, remember his merits and pray for his spirit to protect them. During the Later Le Dynasty (the second year of Canh Hung - 1739), Doan Nhu Hai's descendant, Doan Viet Yen, was appointed as the District Chief of Quynh Luu. Doan Viet Yen saw that Doan Nhu Hai's temple was located in a remote and isolated area, making it difficult to burn incense, so he asked the king's permission to move it to Nguyet Tien village, Dien An commune (Dien Chau) to facilitate the visits of his descendants. Today, Doan Nhu Hai's temple in Dien An still retains its ancient, majestic appearance and burns incense all year round.

The main temple of the Tran Dynasty's General has been moved to the lowlands, but the people of the old Nam Nhung hamlet always admire and express their respect for the merits of the person who sacrificed his life for the peace of the country. The vivid evidence is the battle of the Tran Dynasty's soldiers on the Tiet La River that took place nearly 700 years ago. Today, in the two districts of Tuong Duong and Ky Son, there are temples to worship Doan Nhu Hai, namely Cua Rao Temple and Pu Nha Thau Temple.

Cua Rao Temple (Xa Luong Commune - Tuong Duong) is located at the confluence of the Nam Non and Nam Mo rivers to form the poetic Lam River. According to legend, this place is not far from the location where Doan Nhu Hai died in battle. According to folk beliefs, river confluences are often very sacred and contain many legends. Therefore, located in this location, Cua Rao Temple becomes even more sacred not only to local people but also to tourists from all over the world. Nestled under the shade of hundreds of years old trees reflecting on the riverbed, surrounded by the majestic wilderness, it adds to the temple's ancient and solemn beauty. Through many ups and downs, sun, rain, wind, dust, bombs and bullets, Cua Rao Temple still stands firm over time, because it is always protected, restored and embellished by the people. In 2009, Cua Rao Temple was recognized as a Provincial Historical - Cultural Relic. The temple is filled with incense all year round. On the 15th and 1st of every month, local people often bring offerings to pray for luck and peace. In particular, at the beginning of spring, Tuong Duong district often organizes large-scale festivals, including a grand procession, recreating the spirit and selfless fighting spirit of the Tran Dynasty soldiers under the command of General Doan Nhu Hai. Next is the ceremony, everyone respectfully prays for the General's spirit to bless the country with peace and prosperity, the villages with joy, favorable weather, and bountiful crops.

Historical - Cultural Relic, Pu Nha Thau Temple (Huu Kiem Commune - Ky Son) is also the place where local people worship General Doan Nhu Hai. According to legend, this is the location where Doan Nhu Hai used to be his headquarters, where he trained soldiers, gathered food and observed the movements of the enemy. Local people wholeheartedly helped and encouraged their children to join the Tran army to help repel foreign invaders and keep the village peaceful. Among them, there was an old woman, old but still enthusiastically asked to be in charge of logistics for the soldiers. For each meal, the old woman cooked a whole pot of rice. After General Doan Nhu Hai died in battle, local people chose the exact location where he was stationed to build a temple to worship him. Some time later, the old woman who raised the troops also passed away, and the people in the area brought her spirit tablet to worship at the General's temple. For that reason, this mountain was later called Pu Nha Thau (Old Lady Mountain), the temple was called Pu Nha Thau Temple, or Tran Dynasty Temple. From generation to generation, the temple has been worshiped by the local people all year round and is regularly protected and restored.

In terms of distance as the crow flies, Cua Rao Temple and Pu Nha Thau Temple are about 40 km apart, both temples worship General Doan Nhu Hai. It is amazing how fair and loyal our people are to those who love their country, love their people, and are willing to sacrifice themselves for the safety of the country and the lives of all people!

Tuong Anh