Five Hanoi locations honoured as national special heritage sites

(Bqp.vn) - Five places in Hanoi were recognised as national heritage sites at a ceremony held at the Ly Thai To Park on February 22.

Hoan Kiem lake and the Ngoc Son temple in Hoan Kiem district; Hai Ba Trung temple in Me Linh district; Hat Bon temple in Phuc Tho district; Phu Dong temple in Gia Lam district; and Tay Dang temple in Ba Vi district, were given the title pursuant to the Prime Minister’s decision, issued in December 2013.

Ngoc Son temple.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said that the accolades not only honour the historical cultural and architectural value of the sites but also acknowledge the city authorities’ preservation and promotion of these heritages.

She sounded the city’s commitment to the preservation of the capital’s heritage whilst calling on ministries, relevant sectors, the public and international friends to support the work.

The ceremony also featured stage performances reenacting the legends of the five sites as well as songs and dances praising the natural scene of Hanoi.

Five national heritage sites are:

Legends of Hoan Kiem Lake, a must-see attraction for tourists visiting Hanoi, tell the story of King Le Thai To returning his magic sword to the Golden Turtle after claiming independence for Vietnam by defeating Chinese Ming invaders in 1427.

Ngoc Son (Jade Mountain) temple was built on an islet in Hoan Kiem lake at the end of the 18th century. This shrine is dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, a 13th century Vietnamese military national hero, scholar Van Xuong, and Confucian master Nguyen Van Sieu.

Hai Ba Trung temple in Me Linh district and Hat Bon temple in Phuc Tho district commemorate sisters Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, who led a revolt in 40 AD against northern dominators and subsequently regained independence for the country. After the uprising, Trung Trac established herself as the ruler of the independent state, becoming the first female leader in the nation’s history.

Phu Dong temple in Gia Lam district was constructed in the 17th century to worship Saint Giong, who fought the Yin invaders under the sixth King Hung’s reign (around 500 BC). The annual festival celebrating Saint Giong, held in the Phu Dong and Soc Temples, was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO in 2010.

Tay Dang temple in Ba Vi district was built at the end of the 16th century, paying tribute to Saint Giong and Tan Vien (the God of the Mountain), who are said to have taught people to grow crops, hunt animals, catch fish, practice martial arts and hold festivals.

Hang Thu (Nhan Dan)