Quang Trung Temple - An attractive cultural and spiritual tourist destination.

(Baonghean) - Nestled in a picturesque pine forest at an altitude of 97 meters above sea level, the Quang Trung Emperor Temple, located on Dung Quyet Mountain in Trung Do Ward, Vinh City, is an indispensable destination in the spiritual tourism guide for visitors to Nghe An. It is also a significant site for young people to visit, learn, and understand the most glorious chapter in the nation's history…

Following the great victory of the Spring of 1789, Emperor Quang Trung embarked on the task of rebuilding and consolidating the country. His first and most important task was choosing a location for the new capital. After several visits to Nghe An, recognizing it as a land of exceptional people and rich history, he issued a decree to La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep – the head of the Sung Chinh Library – to construct the Phuong Hoang Trung Do citadel in Yen Truong, Chau Loc district. Although built in a short and hasty manner, the citadel included an inner and outer wall and the Thai Hoa Palace – where Emperor Quang Trung held court. Sadly, just as the Phuong Hoang citadel was completed and the plan to relocate the capital was still unfinished, the Emperor suddenly passed away. Today, on the site of the old dragon tower, a stele commemorating the Phuong Hoang Trung Do citadel has been erected to mark the location where the capital once stood.

Landscape of the Quang Trung King's temple (Dung Quyet mountain, Vinh City). Photo: Sy Minh

If Binh Dinh is the birthplace and childhood home of the national hero Quang Trung Nguyen Hue, then Nghe An is the place with a deep and meaningful connection to him. His ancestral home was the Ho family in Thai Lao village, Hung Dao commune, Hung Nguyen district. From this land, the fourth-generation ancestor of Emperor Quang Trung, Ho Sy Anh, ventured south to develop the Tay Son upper region. His descendant in Binh Dinh, Ho Phi Phuc, married Nguyen Thi Dong, the only daughter of a wealthy family, and they had three sons: Nguyen Nhac, Nguyen Hue, and Nguyen Lu. Later, Nguyen Hue returned to Nghe An to trace his family roots, recognizing the Ho family genealogy in Thai Lao village, Hung Nguyen district, as his own clan and choosing Thai Lao as his ancestral home. In 1789, Emperor Quang Trung ordered the villagers of Thai Lao to renovate the ancestral temple to worship his ancestors.

With the aim of preserving these historically significant milestones, on April 28, 1962, the complex of historical sites and scenic spots of Dung Quyet Mountain and Phuong Hoang Trung Do was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a National-level historical and scenic site.

In order to continue promoting the existing historical and cultural values, and in accordance with the wishes of the people, to express gratitude to the heroic Emperor Quang Trung, with the approval of the Government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the People's Committee of Nghe An province, it was decided to commence the construction of the temple dedicated to Emperor Quang Trung on August 15, 2005. The temple was inaugurated on May 7, 2008, commemorating the 220th anniversary of Phuong Hoang Trung Do. Building the temple in the ancestral homeland of Emperor Quang Trung and within the Phuong Hoang Trung Do historical site, part of the national scenic complex of Dung Quyet Mountain and Phuong Hoang Trung Do - Vinh, is very much in line with its spiritual and historical significance.

The ceremonial gate of the temple dedicated to King Quang Trung. Photo: Tran Hai

Following a 1 km winding mountain path, visitors will enjoy the fresh air of nature. Climbing 81 steps, the temple's architecture appears majestic, imposing, and ancient, typical of Vietnamese temple architecture. Entering the temple area, one encounters a four-pillar ceremonial gate, consisting of one large gate and two smaller symmetrical gates on either side. The large gate has two tiers and eight roofs made of lim wood in a layered style. All three gates are covered with curved tiles, and on either side of the main gate stand two guardian deities. Next is a four-pillar screen made of Thanh Hoa stone with carved patterns. Behind the screen are two stele houses facing each other, parallel to the main axis. The stele house on the left contains a large drum and a stele inscribed with the achievements of Emperor Quang Trung, recording the glorious milestones in the Emperor's great career.

The stele on the right contains a large bell and a stele inscribed with a poem by President Ho Chi Minh about Emperor Quang Trung, expressing national pride. Following this are the left and right side buildings, each with three bays and two wings, constructed of ironwood. The right side building is for receiving delegates and visiting groups. The left side building houses a display of documents and artifacts related to the life and activities of Emperor Quang Trung and the Tay Son Dynasty. Between the two buildings is a spacious 1,500m² courtyard with a garden of banyan trees, bodhi trees, and potted plants, blending harmoniously into the picturesque pine forest.

The lower, middle, and upper halls, considered the center of the entire temple, are designed in the shape of the Chinese character "三" (three), rising in height. All three halls are made of ironwood, carved with motifs in the Nguyen Dynasty style. The lower hall is the largest, covering 180 square meters, comprising three bays with a two-tiered roof structure. Between the two tiers is a balustrade with decorative railings to allow ventilation and natural light, adding to the grandeur, magnificence, and antiquity of the entire temple. The altars in the temple are arranged according to the traditional Vietnamese worship practices of Buddha in the front, and saints in the back. The altar of Shakyamuni Buddha is solemnly placed in the central bay of the front hall, where devotees express their reverence to the Buddha. To the left are the altars of the Four Palaces and the Three Holy Mothers. To the right is the altar dedicated to Nguyen Than, the governor of Nghe An during the Tay Son Dynasty.

Notably, the lower hall features a large inscription in Chinese characters, transliterated as "Nghệ dục Bình sinh," meaning: Nghệ An is the ancestral homeland, while Bình Định is where the hero in simple clothes was born and raised. The middle hall is smaller, covering 160 square meters with three worship chambers. The central chamber is dedicated to the general officials and generals of the Tây Sơn dynasty, while the left and right chambers are dedicated to the representative civil and military officials of the Tây Sơn dynasty. The altar for civil officials includes the ancestral tablets of three figures: Minister of War Ngô Thì Nhậm, Head of the Sùng Chính Institute La Sơn Phu Tử Nguyễn Thiếp, and Northern Envoy Phạm Công Trị. The altar for military generals includes the ancestral tablets of three figures: Admiral Ngô Văn Sở, Grand Marshal Trần Quang Diệu, and Loyal and Valiant Admiral Bùi Thị Xuân. The central hall also displays three large calligraphic inscriptions in Chinese characters. The middle one reads "Vạn cổ anh phong," meaning "Heroic deeds that will be remembered for eternity." The one on the left reads "Địa linh nhân kiệt," meaning "A sacred land that gives birth to heroes and outstanding individuals." The one on the right reads "Nhất nhung đại định," meaning "A single great battle that pacified the entire kingdom." The upper hall houses the altars of Emperor Quang Trung, his father Ho Phi Phuc, and his mother Nguyen Thi Dong. A seated bronze statue of Emperor Quang Trung, 1.5 meters tall, is majestically placed in the center of the inner sanctuary.

Every year, the Quang Trung Emperor Temple holds two major festivals: the 29th day of the 7th lunar month – the anniversary of Emperor Quang Trung's death, and the 5th day of the 1st lunar month – the anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da Victory. Especially on the anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da Victory, the Quang Trung Emperor Temple organizes a ceremony to issue amulets and blessings, praying for peace and good fortune for everyone in the new year.

Besides enjoying the cultural and spiritual values, admiring the beautiful natural scenery, and the tranquil and sacred atmosphere of the Quang Trung Emperor Temple, visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy the special flavor of "bitter tea" harvested by the Management Board from naturally grown bitter tea plants on Dung Quyet mountain where the temple is located.

Since its inauguration, the Management Board of the Quang Trung Emperor Temple has had the honor of welcoming leaders of the Party and State, organizations, departments and agencies from the central to local levels, along with tens of thousands of visitors from all over the country and international delegations who came to offer incense and express their admiration and gratitude to one of the outstanding heroes of the Vietnamese nation in the 18th century.

Vu Hong Duc

(Management Board of King Quang Trung Temple)