Honoring and showing gratitude to the cloth hero Nguyen Hue - Quang Trung

(Baonghean) - Phuong Hoang Trung Do is a heroic relic demonstrating the cultural vision of the cloth hero Nguyen Hue - Quang Trung in the process of fighting to unify the country, building a peaceful, prosperous and happy life for the Vietnamese people. Although, King Quang Trung passed away suddenly on the 29th day of the 7th lunar month of the year Nham Ty 1792, so he did not have time to move the capital from Phu Xuan to Phuong Hoang Trung Do.

Phoenix Central Capital Relics

According to some researchers, the ancestors of the three Tay Son brothers were originally from Thai Lao village (Hung Thai commune, Hung Nguyen). In the years 1655 - 1660, this family was originally the Ho family, following Lord Nguyen to Tay Son hamlet in Phu Ly district, Quy Nhon prefecture, now Binh Dinh province to reclaim newly expanded land. Here, the Ho family changed to the Nguyen family, and several generations later gave birth to the three brothers Nguyen Nhac, Nguyen Hue and Nguyen Lu.

Bronze drum performance at Quang Trung Temple Festival. Photo: Thanh Thuy

In 1771, Nguyen Nhac, along with his two brothers Nguyen Hue and Nguyen Lu, raised the flag of uprising in Tay Son hamlet. In just a short time, the Tay Son army took control of Dang Trong. After that, Nguyen Hue marched to the North twice, successively overthrowing Lord Trinh and King Le.

In 1788, Le Chieu Thong led 290,000 Qing troops to invade Bac Ha. Nguyen Hue ascended the throne, named the reign Quang Trung, founded the Nguyen Tay Son dynasty, and then quickly led his troops to the North to repel the invaders. On the way, the king stopped in Nghe An to recruit troops.

After defeating the Qing army, Quang Trung clearly saw the strategic position of Nghe An land and the hearts of Nghe An people, so he assigned Nghe An governor Nguyen Van Than and La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep to organize the construction of Phuong Hoang Trung Do citadel.

Unfortunately, King Quang Trung passed away suddenly on the 29th day of the 7th lunar month in the year of Nham Ty 1792, so he did not have time to move the capital from Phu Xuan, but Phuong Hoang Trung Do is still a heroic testament demonstrating the cultural vision of Nguyen Hue Quang Trung in the process of fighting to unify the country, building a peaceful, prosperous and happy life for the Vietnamese people.

Martial arts performance at Quang Trung Temple Festival. Photo: Thanh Thuy

King Quang Trung Temple on Dung Quyet Mountain

From a peasant uprising that developed into a national movement, the most glorious victory of the Tay Son movement was to overthrow the domination of reactionary feudal forces, unify the country and protect national independence.

In response to the people's wishes and to express gratitude to the "plain-clothed" hero, on July 23, 2004, the People's Committee of Nghe An province decided to build the Temple of King Quang Trung located on the second peak of Dung Quyet mountain, 97m above sea level, in the sacred land where King Quang Trung chose to establish his capital more than 200 years ago.

The entire temple is made of ironwood, the walkways, sidewalks, and temple yard create a majestic, modern but no less ancient look. The truss system of the temple is in the style of a gong-shaped frame, carved with motifs in the style of the Nguyen Dynasty. The roof is covered with fish-tail tiles, consisting of two layers: mat tiles, reed tiles, the floor is paved with ancient Bat Trang tiles restored from Ha Tay. The walls are built with Bat bricks, the doors and windows are in the style of upper-song and lower-slat curtains. The temple has two entrances on both sides, in the middle is the outer gate (four-pillar gate) designed with a 2-storey, 8-roofed architectural style.

Next is the four-pillar screen erected right on the main axis, made of elaborately and beautifully carved stone. On both sides of the screen are engraved brocade seals, in the middle is a scroll, in the center are two words "Tho De". Above is a dragon facing the moon, below is a kneeling fish with a tiger's belly, carved on it. On both sides are two standing lions, symbolizing the role of guardians controlling the souls of people entering and leaving. Through the four-pillar screen are two stele houses facing each other parallel to the main axis.

Next is the left and right wing house. Through this area is the large worshiping house, also known as the front hall, where the ceremony is prepared and arranged before the ceremony. The front hall can be considered the center of the temple, designed in the Vietnamese folk architectural style, including three rooms, two wings, and four rows of columns. The project was inaugurated on May 7, 2008.

Students come to learn about the life and career of King Quang Trung. Photo: Thanh Thuy

Every year, at King Quang Trung Temple, there are important holidays such as King Quang Trung's death anniversary on the 29th day of the 7th lunar month; the 5th day of the 1st lunar month commemorates the Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory; and the 1st day of the 10th solar month commemorates the day King Quang Trung issued the edict to build Phuong Hoang Trung Do.

Thanh Thuy