Quang Trung Temple: An attractive destination in the heart of Vinh city

Construction with conservation

Quang Trung Temple was put into use in 2008. In the summer of 2009, I brought my Northern classmates home to visit andQuang Trung Templewas our first destination. I still remember clearly that on the way up the mountain, we stopped many times to exclaim when looking out towards the city center.

Panoramic view of the front of Emperor Quang Trung Temple. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Thanh Vinh is like a miniature model, peaceful and beautiful when viewed from the highest point of Dung Quyet mountain. When reaching the temple, we were once again amazed when looking at the Lam river winding along Hong mountain, soft and sparkling in the afternoon sun, further away was Cua Lo beach with tiny islands, and villages on the other side of the Lam river... With the forte of Fine Arts students, we spent the rest of the afternoon taking pictures of the scenery from the temple and commenting on the temple's architecture. "The temple has many advantages to become a famous tourist destination. I just hope that the restoration, repair, and construction in the future will not lose its inherent antiquity and solemnity" - Mr. Hoang Manh Hung, now a famous architect in Hanoi, told me.

That concern comes from the fact that we have witnessed too many historical relics, temples, and pagodas being destroyed after being renovated, restored, and rebuilt with many awkward and inappropriate details. Fortunately, up to this point, after 14 years of renovation and repair, I am proud that the temple of the hero Quang Trung still retains its inherent solemn, ancient, and majestic beauty. The overall planning still ensures harmony and aesthetics, and the works are completely compatible with the general landscape and architecture of the temple. Even with the lush, diverse growth of surrounding trees, the atmosphere here is even fresher and more distinct.

The temple still retains its ancient and sacred beauty after many restorations. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Take me on a tour of the temple the days before the 230th anniversary of his death.Emperor Quang Trung, Mr. Nguyen Van Xuan - Deputy of the Temple Management Board showed me the innovations of the temple in recent years. From the altar to the incense burner, from the mosaics to the panels, from the trees to the statues... Some were donated by benefactors, some were invested in by the Department of Culture, some were renovated by the management board, but all are harmonious and standard.

Although there are many changes compared to before, the overall design, arrangement and layout in the temple still ensure harmony and aesthetics. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

“We always consider very carefully before every restoration and construction of the temple, from small details to major changes. In addition to reaching consensus and consideration among the members of the management board, we also seek the help of experts in the industry. Once we have reached consensus, the implementation process also requires responsibility and care. For example, are these statues of soldiers wearing the correct costumes of ancient Vietnamese people or not, are these tree species arranged appropriately with the surrounding landscape or not? There have been philanthropists who have proposed to gold-plat the statue of Emperor Quang Trung or place statues of mascots such as lions, Pi Xiu, etc. worth hundreds of millions of dong in the temple grounds, but we have all frankly refused because they are not suitable,” said Mr. Xuan.

Quietly under the trees

Another difference that Quang Trung Temple brings to visitors is its civility, solemnity, and cleanliness. I have never seen petty trading, soliciting visitors, begging, herding, littering, etc. at the temple like many other temples and pagodas. Coming here, the most common images are people going sightseeing, exercising every morning and afternoon, groups of students organizing extracurricular activities at the rest stop, tourists coming to offer incense, visit, etc. The stalls selling offerings and souvenirs in the temple are all unmanned; instead, visitors take their own items and put money in the box according to the price list. All of this creates a fresh, friendly, and relaxing atmosphere. That appearance comes from the dedication and quiet determination of the officers and employees of the relic management board.

The road to the temple is always shady and clean, and is a favorite destination for Vinh city residents. Photo: Diep Thanh

If I hadn't been introduced beforehand, I wouldn't have recognized Phan Thuy An - the tour guide at Quang Trung Temple when I saw her cleaning at the main gate. In front of my surprised face, An smiled: "Here, everyone, including the head or deputy head of the temple management board, can voluntarily take on the cleaning job." From a tour guide, An has been working here for 2 years with a salary of 3.5 million a month. Before An, many people who took on this job chose to give up after a few months of probation. As a young, dynamic and intelligent girl, An could have had a better choice, but she chose to stay, after overcoming the initial difficulties. “I admire the uncles, brothers and sisters - those who have worked here since the early days of the temple's construction. Quietly and silently, they have devoted all their love and passion to taking care of the temple of the national hero, as if this were their second home. It is those silent people who have given me the motivation and joy to stick with the job” - An confided.

Mr. Ngo Huy Phuong hung flags and decorated the temple before the 230th death anniversary of Emperor Quang Trung. Photo: Diep Thanh

Among those who have been here since the temple was built, Mr. Ngo Huy Phuong is the one who lives the furthest away. His wife and children live in Quynh Luu, so he can only visit home once a week. Explaining his persistence over the past 14 years, he said: “I used to be an employee of the Vinh City Cultural Department. When I was assigned to the temple, because the job required me to stay there often and the income was low, I had the intention of changing jobs. At that time, my father was still alive, he told me: This is a meaningful job, fate has arranged it like this, so stay and fulfill your responsibilities”. Because of his promise to his father, Mr. Phuong stayed, because his attachment to the temple grew day by day, he was satisfied and proud of that choice.

Mr. Nguyen Van Xuan rearranges offerings at the self-service counter. Photo: Diep Thanh

“There are many people in the temple who silently contribute and work like that. Serenity is the greatest value we receive when working here. Low salary, difficult life, long distance, but the members always keep in mind that they are doing their best to preserve and take care of a historical work with tangible values ​​that cannot be measured. Perhaps that is why we find our own encouragement and peace. We only hope that this feeling can be passed on to the next generation,” Mr. Nguyen Van Xuan confided.

Emperor Quang Trung Temple is the pride of Vinh city people. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

King Quang Trung Temple currently preserves many valuable historical artifacts. Photo: Dinh Tuyen