Duc Ong Temple - A Distinctive Historical and Cultural Destination

Spanning over a millennium, Duc Ong Temple in Vinh Tuong commune remains a repository for distinctive layers of historical and cultural sediment of the Ancestral Land. Not only a spiritual anchor for local residents, the temple is also associated with a renowned general credited with keeping the peace along the borders of Dai Viet under the Ly Dynasty. The ranking of Duc Ong Temple as a National Historical and Architectural-Artistic Monument in 2023 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism continues to affirm the precious values of the relic, while opening up opportunities for the locality to effectively preserve and promote its cultural heritage.

Mr. Ngo Van Nham, the caretaker of Duc Ong Temple, prepares the solemn space to serve local residents and tourists coming to offer incense and worship.

Nestled beside the poetic Rung Lagoon, Duc Ong Temple has long become a familiar spiritual and cultural address for local residents and tourists from all over. According to the scientific dossier of the relic, this is the place of worship for Dong Kinh Phan Quan Dai Vuong Nguyen Van Nhuong—a renowned general originating from the Ke Rung region who served as an official under King Ly Cao Tong. He was credited with commanding troops to suppress the Ai Lao invaders, protecting the southern borders of the country. Following his passing, the royal court conferred upon him the title of Highest-ranking benevolent deity, built his mausoleum, erected a temple, and allowed local residents to offer incense and worship all year round. The temple also worships a Princess of the Champa Kingdom according to folk legends. Over many centuries, the temple has become the religious center of the three ancient villages of Van Trung, The Trung, and Vinh Trung, intimately bound to the cultural and spiritual life of the locals here.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, an officer from the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Vinh Tuong commune, stated: "Duc Ong Temple is one of the typical relics of the locality, converging historical, architectural-artistic values, and folk beliefs. Being ranked as a national monument is a recognition of those values, while creating favorable conditions for the locality to continue investing in preserving and promoting the relic, contributing to educating the younger generation on patriotic traditions and national pride."

According to the relic’s dossier, the predecessor of Duc Ong Temple was the Duc Ong Mausoleum built during the Ly Dynasty, more than 1,000 years ago. By the end of the 18th century, local residents rebuilt the temple at its current location. Undergoing multiple restorations in the years 1762, 1912, the 1990 - 1991 period, and 2013, the temple still retains many original architectural elements from the Later Le Dynasty. The temple was constructed in the Dinh shape architectural style, consisting of a front ceremonial hall and a main sanctuary. Most outstanding is the system of sophisticated wood carvings featuring themes of dragons, phoenixes, mythical lion-dogs, clouds, flowers, and leaves... executed through elaborate high-relief and openwork carving techniques. This is considered one of the relatively intact specimens of Later Le Dynasty wood-carving art in the province.

In addition to its architectural value, the monument still preserves many precious artifacts such as 13 royal honors from various feudal dynasties, among which the earliest one dates back to the Canh Hung era; numerous Han-Nom documents, horizontal lacquered boards, worship altars, ceremonial jars, stone dogs, along with many valuable artifacts serving historical and cultural research.

Not only preserving tangible values, Duc Ong Temple is also a place for conserving many beautiful traditional cultural traits. Annually, from the 6th to the 7th day of the first lunar month, the Rung Festival is solemnly organized to commemorate the death anniversary of Duc Ong. Alongside ceremonial rituals and palanquin processions are many unique folk games, such as catching loaches in jars, to tom diem (a traditional card game), xam singing, tug-of-war, and wrestling... creating a festival space rich in the cultural identity of the Northern Delta region. More than just a historical relic, Duc Ong Temple is where people place their faith and aspirations for a peaceful life.

Having been attached to the temple for many years, Mr. Ngo Van Nham, the temple’s caretaker, shared: "I have been looking after the temple for about 7 years. Every day, locals from the region and visitors from all over come to offer incense. Many families bring their children and grandchildren to pray for peace, health, and that the children will be well-behaved and make progress in their studies. To us, preserving the temple means preserving traditions and the roots of our homeland."

Not only during festivals, but also on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month or the early days of the year, Duc Ong Temple always welcomes a large number of people coming to worship. Each stick of incense lit expresses not only reverence for the predecessors but also appreciation for the cultural values preserved through generations. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thieu, a resident of Cluster 5, Vinh Tuong commune, shared: "Every time I come here, I feel my heart becoming light and serene. Our residents always consider Duc Ong Temple a sacred place and a spiritual anchor in life."

Currently, the local authorities alongside the Monument Management Board regularly protect and care for the landscape, inventory artifacts, and propagate to raise awareness of heritage preservation among the People. The ranking of Duc Ong Temple as a national monument has created favorable conditions for the locality to connect the relic with the complex of Tu Trung Communal House, Bao Trung Mausoleum, and the scenic Rung Lagoon, contributing to the development of cultural tourism associated with the identity of the Ancestral Land.

Amidst the pace of life today, Duc Ong Temple still quietly casts its reflection on Rung Lagoon, preserving the memories of a countryside rich in tradition. The temple is not only a witness to history but also a symbol of the moral principle “When drinking water, remember its source,” contributing to nurturing the love for the homeland, national pride, and preserving distinctive cultural values for future generations.

Duong Chung