To Nhu Phong / Technique: Hong Toai•November 4, 2025 12:29
In the heart of Hong Long (old Nam Dan), on the banks of the quiet Lam River, there is still a ruin carrying within it a 13th-century legend – the place where the first light of Nghe Tinh Buddhism was lit. The people here call it with all their respect: Nhan Thap Pagoda.
To Nhu Phong/ Technique:Hong Toai - 04/11/2025
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In the heart of Hong Long (old Nam Dan), on the banks of the quiet Lam River, there is still a ruin carrying within it a 13th-century legend - the place where the first light of Nghe Tinh Buddhism was lit. The people here call it with all their respect: Nhan Thap Pagoda.
One autumn morning, the mist still lingered on the fields, the small road leading to Nhan Thap village welcomed the cool breeze from the Lam River. The remains of the old pagoda now only had old brick foundations, stained with moss. But standing there, one could still feel the sacredness, as if something was quietly telling a thousand-year-old story. Kundar Kumar, an Indian Hindu tourist, was excited to set foot on this land.
Indian tourist Kundar Kumar visits Nhan Thap to learn more about the cultural exchange between India and Vietnam. Photo: Duy Khanh
“
I come from the land of Buddha, and I heard that Buddha relics were found here, so I am very excited to come and worship. I believe that this place has a special connection between two cultures – Vietnam and India.
Mr. Kundar Kumar - Indian Tourist
From the story of a tourist, we see that Nhan Thap is not only an archaeological ruin, but also a spiritual meeting place between people with the same faith and cultural roots.
Back in 1985, the land of Hong Long suddenly “awakened” when Vietnamese archaeologists excavated the ancient temple foundation. Under a layer of soil less than 1 meter thick, a treasure trove of artifacts gradually emerged: More than 300 bricks and tiles with unique patterns, ancient architectural lines never seen before.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Hong - a historical researcher, still remembers clearly the emotional feeling of the first day when he discovered the foundation of that strange tower:“We found more than 30 different types of bricks. What is special is that the bricks are laid tightly together, without adhesives, and remain sturdy after thousands of years. This construction method shows the very high technical level of the ancients.”
Buddhist motifs on a 7th-century ancient brick – a sign of the early presence of Buddhism in Nghe Tinh. Photo: Nhu Phong
And then, between the layers of ancient bricks, a brick engraved with the words “Trinh Quan Luc Nien” – meaning 627 AD – as a time marker opens the door to the past. From there, researchers determined that Nhan Thap was built in the 7th century, during the Tang Dynasty, that is, nearly 1,400 years ago – one of the earliest Buddhist structures in Vietnam.
But what "shocked" scientists the most was the box containing Buddha's relics found inside the tower.
“
This is the first tower in Vietnam to have a box containing Buddha relics.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Quang Hong
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Quang Hong in the process of comparing and analyzing artifacts from the foundation of the ancient tower Nhan Thap. Photo: Nhu PhongA box containing Buddha relics was discovered inside the tower – a unique artifact of Vietnamese archaeology. Photo: Nhu Phong
Since that discovery, Nhan Thap is no longer an ordinary ruin. In 2017, the box containing Buddha’s relics was recognized by the Prime Minister as a National Treasure – a unique artifact with special historical, cultural and spiritual value.
Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Head of the Central Cultural Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, emotionally said: "This is a heritage not only of Vietnamese Buddhism but of humanity. In many other countries, similar relics have been lost, but in Vietnam - especially Nghe An - the relics and the sarira box are still intact. That is a very sacred thing."
Venerable Thich Tho Lac - the person who devoted much effort to researching and proposing solutions to preserve the value of Nhan Thap relic. Photo: Thanh Trung
“
This is a heritage not only of Vietnamese Buddhism but of humanity. In many other countries, similar relics have been lost, but in Vietnam – especially Nghe An – the relics and the sarira box are still intact. That is something extremely sacred.”
Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac - Head of the Central Cultural Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha
Currently, this treasure is kept at Nghe An Museum under strict preservation conditions. Ms. Hoang Thi Minh - in charge of the Collection and Preservation Department shared:“The relic box is kept in a special safe, accessible through many layers of iron doors. The temperature and humidity are always controlled to ensure the absolute safety of the treasure.”
Those bricks, tiles, and relic boxes are not only evidence of history, but also the connecting thread between the past and the present, between today's people and their ancestors thousands of years ago.
In Nhan Thap village, people still cherish the hope of seeing the old pagoda revived. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lien - a resident who has spent her whole life on this land, her hair has turned gray, said with emotion:“I just hope the temple will be rebuilt as soon as possible so that the Buddha’s relics can return to where they belong.”
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, also a member of Hong Long (formerly) shared:“In the past, our ancestors said that this place had Buddha relics. Everyone hopes that Nhan Thap Pagoda will soon be restored so that people will have a place to worship and fulfill their wishes.”
That wish was also listened to by the local government. Mr. Le Trung Hoa - Chairman of the People's Committee of Kim Lien commune said:“Restoring Nhan Thap is the common desire of the people. However, funding is a big challenge. The locality is ready to support the implementation policy.”
And representing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Venerable Thich Tho Lac affirmed his determination:“If we are assigned to preside over the restoration of the pagoda, we will organize a scientific seminar and conduct thorough research to restore Nhan Thap in the true spirit of the Tang Dynasty - both preserving ancient values and making it a cultural and spiritual tourism highlight of Nghe An.”
Nhan Thap – although only the foundation remains, is still a silent witness of the flow of Vietnamese Buddhism. The presence of Buddha relics here affirms that Buddhism took root very early in Nghe Tinh land – where religion and life are in harmony, where people's hearts are inclined to be kind.
The ruins of Nhan Thap on the gentle Lam River – expected to one day be restored into a cultural and spiritual destination of Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Trung
Mr. Kundar Kumar believes:“When Nhan Thap is restored, there will certainly be many tourists from India and other countries coming. Not only to worship the relics, but also to learn about the history of cultural exchange between the two nations.”
Hong Long residents quietly perform a ceremony next to the old tower foundation – a place that preserves the belief and memory of a sacred relic. Photo: Thanh ThaoMonks perform rituals at the base of the tower, showing respect for ancient Buddhist heritage. Photo: Nhu Phong
And perhaps, the most sacred thing lies not only in the treasure that is gradually awakening from the ground, but also in the steadfast belief of the people of Nghe An. That belief carries the desire to restore the heritage, so that one day not far away, the temple bells will ring again by the Lam River, extending the historical and spiritual source of this land.
Some brick and tile artifacts from Nhan Thap are being preserved and studied at Nghe An Museum; The unique step-by-step brick-laying technique at Nhan Thap – no adhesives used but still durable for more than 13 centuries. Photo: Duy Khanh
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