Returning to the Place Preserving Historical Moments

Amid the stream of pilgrims returning to Hung Kings Temple, many slow their steps before the bas-relief “Uncle Ho Talking to Officers and Soldiers of the Tien Phong Army Division.” Some stand in quiet contemplation of every line; families capture commemorative photos on their return-to-the-roots trip; many young children listen attentively to stories about the historical meeting at the foot of Nghia Linh Mountain. Rendered on durable bronze, the moment from over seven decades ago emerges vividly, breathing life into Uncle Ho’s instruction: “The Hung Kings had the merit of founding the country, you and I must together defend it.”

Standing out at the Intersection 5 of Gieng Temple, the bas-relief becomes a highlight serving Hung Kings Temple festival activities.

On September 19, 1954, before the Tien Phong Army Division returned to take over the capital Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh met and spoke with officers and soldiers at Gieng Temple. He instructed the soldiers to strictly maintain discipline, protect citizens' property, and preserve the virtues of revolutionary military personnel. Born from a meeting ahead of a historical mission, Uncle Ho’s words became a message handed down through generations regarding civic responsibility toward the nation and fatherland.

In 2001, a stone bas-relief recreating that event was constructed at the Intersection 5 area of Gieng Temple. Over more than two decades associated with the Ancestral Land’s space, the work became a familiar stop for compatriots and tourists, serving as a venue for numerous flower-offering, achievement-reporting, and traditional educational activities.

Over time, weather left marks on the stone material. To preserve this special historical and cultural work for the long term, the Central Military Commission (Ministry of National Defense) donated funds to restore, embellish, and replace the stone bas-relief with a copper alloy structure. Execution began in June 2023, reached completion in March 2024, and was inaugurated on April 8, 2024, coinciding with the Hung Kings Commemoration - Hung Kings Temple Festival in the Year of the Dragon. The original stone bas-relief was dismantled and reassembled in the courtyard of the Museum of Military Region 2 Command to remain respectfully preserved.

The new bas-relief features an arc shape measuring 28.16 meters in length and 10.99 meters in height. Copper alloy plates with an average thickness of 1.5 cm were cast individually, then assembled and welded directly on site. Synchronously arranged systems of yards, steps, flower gardens, greenery, lighting, along with 18 flagpole posts on both sides create a solemn, spacious atmosphere that harmonizes with the Relic Site’s overall landscape.

Behind the seamless surface of the artwork lies a meticulous construction process. Individual copper plates measuring approximately 100x100 cm were crafted and cast at workshops before being transported to Hung Kings Temple for assembly onto a steel frame attached to reinforced concrete walls. Each joint was executed with precision to ensure that upon completion, observers cannot discern the boundaries between individual pieces. The artistic process strictly adhered to original creative spirits while bestowing the structure with a grander and more durable appearance against the elements.

At the center of the arc, the image of Uncle Ho seated while conversing with officers and soldiers forms the focal point. Surrounding Him are attentive young faces; behind Him lie rolling palm forests and tea hills reflecting the familiar landscapes of the Ancestral Land. Robust, vivid lines capture not only the portraits and postures of each figure, but also evoke the solemn yet intimate atmosphere of that historic meeting. Standing before the bas-relief, viewers appreciate not just a sculptural work, but feel transported back to a defining historical moment.

The bas-relief is cast in bronze with an arc shape measuring 28.16m in length and 10.99m in height.

On the pilgrimage journey to the Hung Kings, the bas-relief at Gieng Temple creates a natural continuation between the narratives of nation-building and nation-defending. Every day, especially during festival seasons, numerous delegations pause here. Each group approaches the bas-relief differently, yet all contribute to bringing stories of the past closer to contemporary life.

From the wide courtyard, visitors can take in the entire artwork; approaching closer, individual faces, expressions, and clothing folds emerge clearly. The attentiveness of the soldiers turned toward Uncle Ho forms the central emotional thread, inducing a sense of reflection in those who stand before it. Some stop for only a few minutes, but those minutes suffice to hear a story, reread Uncle Ho’s advice, and understand why Gieng Temple became tied to a landmark milestone in national history.

Comrade Pham Tien Dat, Director of the Hung Kings Temple Historical Relic Site, stated: The restoration and embellishment work fundamentally preserved the spirit of the original stone sculpture built in 2001, while expanding scale and upgrading materials to enhance durability, aesthetics, and harmony with the landscape. Through the language of sculpture, the bas-relief helps compatriots, tourists, and particularly the younger generation access historical events intuitively and memorably. Alongside protecting the work and caring for the landscape, the Relic Site continues to raise the quality of tour guidance, linking the destination with flower-offering, achievement-reporting, and traditional educational activities.

Through achievement-reporting sessions, traditional gatherings, tour guide presentations, or stories parents share with their children, the significance of the 1954 meeting is passed down from generation to generation. The words “defend the country” thus transform from an abstract concept into everyday actions: cherishing history, preserving traditions, contributing to homeland construction, and living responsibly toward the community.

From Gieng Temple, streams of people continue their ascent up Nghia Linh Mountain. Behind them, the images of Uncle Ho and the soldiers of the Tien Phong Army Division remain prominent against the bronze backdrop. Amid the sacred mountains of the Ancestral Land, the bas-relief preserves an unforgettable moment, ensuring that the historic instruction continues to accompany every citizen on their journey today.

Huong Giang