Vinh Thanh Commune Receives Provincial-Level Historical and Cultural Relic Designation for To The Huy Temple

On the morning of June 20, 2026, Vinh Thanh Commune hosted a high-protocol ceremony to formally receive the Provincial-Level Historical and Cultural Relic Classification Certificate for the To The Huy Temple. The grand assembly was attended by Vice Governor Phung Thị Kim Nga—Member of the Provincial Party Committee, alongside senior directors of line ministries and regional municipal councils.

Vice Governor Phung Thi Kim Nga formally hands over the Provincial-Level Historical and Cultural Relic Certificate to the administrative board of To The Huy Temple.

Cultural Celebrity and Imperial Doctorate To The Huy was born in 1666 in Bang Dang Commune, Bach Hac District, Tam Doi Phu, Son Tay Town under the ancient administrative grid. This territory later evolved into Binh Tru Hamlet, Cao Dai Commune, Vinh Tuong District, Vinh Phuc Province, and is currently mapped within Vinh Thanh Commune, Phu Tho Province.

In 1697, during the Dinh Suu imperial examinations—under the 18th Chinh Hoa regnal year of King Le Hy Tong during the Restored Le Dynasty—he successfully passed the highest court exams to capture his Imperial Doctorate degree at the age of 32. This historic achievement crowned him as the Khai khoa—the ultimate foundational pioneer who opened the long-standing tradition of academic excellence and scholarly prestige for this land.

Following his imperial academic triumph, Lord To The Huy was appointed to multiple pivotal civil and military portfolios within the Le-Trinh administrative court during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, including Deputy Prime Minister/Chancellor counselor and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, while being bestowed the elite noble title of Duke of Cao. Upon entering official retirement at the age of 70, the royal court formally elevated him to Minister of the Ministry of Public Works to immortalize his profound macro-contributions to the nation.

Due to the volatile vicissitudes of history, the original ancient temple dedicated to Imperial Doctorate To The Huy was lost over time. In 2014, the monument was systematically reconstructed and achieved full engineering completion in 2015.

Vice Governor Phung Thi Kim Nga presents a ceremonial floral arrangement to congratulate the local authorities and the To clan.

Today, the sanctuary securely archives and protects two authentic royal seals of ennoblement alongside an array of rare material heritages, including ancient bronze incense burners, historic porcelain platters, an imperial calligraphy brush case, and diverse archival texts charting the life of the scholar. Moving far beyond a standard house of worship, the To The Huy Temple functions as a vibrant community hub for local cultural and belief-based activities, playing a vital role in educating younger generations on the spirit of academic discipline and homeland pride.

The formal classification of the To The Huy Temple as a Provincial-Level Historical and Cultural Relic stands as a high institutional recognition by the provincial administration and specialized cultural offices regarding the site’s absolute cultural capital. It simultaneously cements the historical legacy of Imperial Doctorate To The Huy as an iconic national intellectual.

This historic milestone is not merely a monumental honor for the To clan but serves as a profound source of pride for the entire citizenry of Vinh Thanh Commune, dramatically upscaling grassroots public accountability in safeguarding and promoting localized heritage assets.

Luu Truong