Xich Dang Literature Temple attracts heritage tourists

Xich Dang Literature Temple

Xich Dang Literature Temple is located on a 4,000 – square – metre – land area in Xich Dang village, Lam Son ward, Hung Yen city. Van Mieu was built in the 20th year of King Minh Mang (1839). The Literature Temple is a Symbol of the studious spirit and civilization of Hung Yen province.

The most valuable items on display in Van Mieu are nine stone stelae, eight of which were erected in the 3rd year of King Dong Khanh (1888) and one was erected in the 18th year of King Bao Dai (1943). These stelae were inscribed with the names of 138 distinguished scholars of Hung Yen, who had gained high positions at national examinations held from the Tran dynasty to 1919 – the last year of the Confucianism examination in the country. Of the total 138 scholars, 21 were scholars of current Thai Binh province that used to be Tien Hung district of the former Hung Yen.

The highest-ranked scholars of Hung Yen were Doctor Tong Tran from An Cau village, Phu Cu district in the Tran dynasty; Doctor Nguyen Ky from Binh Dan commune, Khoai Chau district in the Mac dynasty. The locality’s highest-leveled mandarin was Le Nhu Ho – a duke of the Mac dynasty.

During the feudal time, at Van Mieu, the offerings to Confucius – one of the most influential philosophers in the history of China – were held twice a year, on January 10th and August 14th (In lunar year). There were many mandarins of the feudal dynasties taking part in the offerings.

Before the August Revolution in 1945, Van Mieu was a hidden establishment of the central, Northern Regional Party Committee and Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee.

In recent years, many traditional cultural activities have been organized at the Literature Temple – a symbol of Hung Yen province’s culture.

In addition, Hung Yen province has other relics such as Hien, Chuong pagodas, Mau Temple. Other popular sites are Kim Chung, Huong Lang, Thai Lac, Ne Chau pagodas, Chu Dong Tu, Phuong Hoang, Dau An, Da Hoa temples.

Hung Yen is home of famous people like Nguyen Binh, Hoang Hoa Tham, Doan Thi Diem, Le Huu Trac, Chu Manh Trinh, Vu Trong Phung, Nguyen Cong Hoan, To Ngoc Van, Pham Huy Thong.

Coming to there, visitors enjoy traditional songs such as cheo, a dao, trong quan or take part in Chu Dong Tu, Tu Phap, An Xa Village, Ghenh Temple, Co Le, Tho Hoang hamlets festivals.