Yen Tu Tourist site and other temple in Quang Ninh
An Sinh Temple and Tran Tombs
Phong Coc Communal House
Tran Quoc Nghien Temple
Bac Ma Pagoda
Quan Lan Communal House
Trung Ban Communal House
Bach Dang Stake - Yard
Quang Ninh Museum
Trung Coc Temple
Cay Lim Gieng Rung
Quynh Lam Pagoda
Vua Ba Shire
Cua Ong Temple
Tien Cong Shire
Yen Duc Site
Long Tien Pagoda
Tra Co Communal House
Yen Giang Communal House
Luu Khe Communal House
Tran Hung Dao Temple in Quang Ninh
Yen Lap Lake and Loi Am Pagoda
An Sinh Temple and Tran Tombs
Location: The temple and tombs of the Tran Dynasty are situated in the An Sinh Commune, Dong Trieu District, Quang Ninh Province.
Characteristics: They are scattered on an area of 20km in radius, dedicated to the eight emperors of the Tran Dynasty.
They were built in the period of Tran Dynasty and restored many times under the following Le and Nguyen Dynasties
Apart from the building of ceremonial shrines at every tomb, the An Sinh Temple was also built with many large shrines for the celebration of anniversary ceremonies. The whole zone became a sacred area held in solemn reverence throughout the Tran, Le and Nguyen Dynasties.
Over time, the area has severely deteriorated, but today, is gradually being restored.
An Sinh Temple Area belongs to Nghia Hung Hamlet which is used to dedicate 8 kings of Tran and the tombs of Tran Thai Tong, Tran Thanh Tong and Gian Dinh De. Tran Anh Tong Tomb is located in Loc Camp, Tran Minh Tong Tomb is in Khe Gach, Tran Hien Tong Tomb is in Ao Beo, Tran Du Tong Tomb is in Dong Tron, Tran Nghe Tong Tomb is in Khe Nghe areas. Besides the constructing the temple in each tomb for dedicate, many big temples were built in An Sinh Temple Area by the court for respect-paying audience. It was defended carefully by mandarins. This area became solemn holly land through Tran, Le, Nguyen Dynasties.
Bac Ma Pagoda
Location: Bac Ma Pagoda belongs to Bac Ma Hamlet of Binh Duong Village, in the Dong Trieu District, Quang Ninh Province.
Characteristics: It was built in the 15th century to grandiose proportions and passed through restoration periods in 1608, 1739, 1768 and 1835.
In 1926, it was rebuilt to an even greater scale, attracting many adepts and disciples of Buddhism. It also served as the headquarters for the "Fourth Base" of North Vietnam during the revolution against French colonialists.
It was entirely destroyed during the war, but the site is still a place of solemn commemoration organized by the Dong Trieu authorities on June 8 every year.
Bach Dang Stake – Yard
Location: Located in the marshy zone of Yen Giang Commune, Yen Hung District, Quang Ninh Province, that borders the Chanh River.
Characteristics: The stake-yard is the site where Tran Hung Dao, a national hero of the 13th century, is forever honoured.
It was officially recognized as one of Vietnam’s historic vestiges on March 22, 1988; the 700th anniversary of a great victory at Bach Dang against Mongol invaders.
When the local people built a dyke in 1953, they discovered the Bach Dang stake-yard. There remain hundreds of stakes arranged in the zigzag-shaped (shape of the letter Z). Some are vertical; some others are inclined 15o to the east. Most of the stakes are made of ironwood. They were bevelled in one end, and their heads were broken. Their average length ranges from 2 to 2.8m, even up to 3.2m. The bevelled part is 0.8 to 1m. The stakes lie 0.5-1.5m under ground. The whole 220m2 stake ground is now protected by dyke. Of the stakes, 42 remain intact 2m under a layer of mud and jut out 0.2-2m. The density of stakes in the southern part of the ground is 1 stake over 0.9-1m2; meanwhile that of the northern part is 1 stake over 1.5-2m2. Just 3km away from the town centre, the Tran Hung Dao Temple lies at a strip of land stretching to the middle of the river in Yen Giang Commune. Legend has it that when Tran Hung Dao came to Trung Ban mound to investigate the topography of the locality to prepare for the Bach Dang battle, his hair knot got loose. He stopped, pushing his sword in the ground, to twist his hair into a chignon. The local fishermen saw this and built a temple dedicated to him right in this place.
In 1288, after two unsuccessful military offensives (1258 and 1285), 300,000 Mongol invaders led by Thoat Hoan and force of 7,000,000kg rice food led by Truong Van Ho went to Thang Long by road and water way. The ruling Tran Court organized a plan of strategic withdrawal, and established guerrilla warfare to wear down their enemy. The invading forces dwindled, tried by both the climate and the constant attacks and were forced to withdraw. Tran Hung Dao had his men plant steel-tipped wooden stakes in the bed of the Bach Dang River to create a line of defence blocking the Mongol retreat.
On 9th April 1288 as the fleet entered the mouth of the river, a few small boats engaged the enemy. The tide ebbed, and the fleet was thrown on to the wooden stakes, while Tran Hung Dao's army moved in for the kill. The 300,000 men were either killed or taken prisoner, and 400 enemy warships were destroyed.
Bach Dang Victory in 1288 was a glorious victory, which marked in the Vietnamese history against the invaders, and the Stake - Yard in Yen Giang Lagoon was an evidence of the glorious feat of arms.
Cay Lim Gieng Rung
Location: The two - Cay Lim of Gieng Rung grow at the base of Tien Son Mountain in the Yen Hung District, Quang Ninh Province.
Characteristics: These trees are more than 700 years old; remnants of the ancient forests once situated along the Bach Dang River.
Notwithstanding their age and the harsh climate, they are still green and vigorous, forming a simple monument to the historic past of the area. The two trees have been recognized as a historic vestige of Vietnam.
Cua Ong Temple
Location: It is located in the Cua Ong Quarter of Cam Pha Town, 40km from Halong City to the north-east.
Characteristics: It was built according to the Chinese character "cong" which consists of a three-compartment Front Ceremonial Hall, a two-compartment Back Ceremonial Hall, and a three-compartment Back Sanctuary.
The temple was built at the beginning of the 19th century, and included three main areas: the lower temple (Den Ha), the middle temple (Den Trung) and the upper temple (Den Thuong). In the lower temple, people observe the cult of the mother (Mau), while the upper temple is sacred to the cult of Tran Quoc Tang. Formerly, in the main temple, people observed the worship of Hoang Cau, a regional hero, but it was later changed to honour the third son of Tran Hung Dao, who was very heroic in the defence of the border in the Cua Suot area.
This unique temple is sacred to the cult of the whole family of Tran Hung Dao. There are 34 statues and statuettes, elaborately and meticulously carved, and with striking engravings depicting various scenes. These statues are of: Tran Hung Dao, his wife (Thanh Mau), the two princesses (Tran Hung Dao's daughters), Tran Quoc Tang, Tran Anh Tong, Tran Khanh Du, Yet Kieu, Da Tuong, Pham Ngu Lao, Le Phu Tran and Do Khac Chung.
The Cua Ong Temple's annual festival begins on the second day of the first lunar month and lasts three months in spring.
Long Tien Pagoda
Location: The pagoda is situated at the foot of Bai Tho Mount in the Chua Long Tien Street, near Halong Market, in Quang Ninh Province.
Characteristics: Built in 1941, Long Tien is the biggest pagoda and a well-known historical place in Halong City
The pagoda has original and unique architectural style of the Nguyen Dynasty. Atop the three-gate entrance stands a statue of Buddha in a sitting position. Below is a bell tower, featuring three words Long Tien Tu (Long Tien Pagoda), flanked by two parallel panels. The main altar is dedicated to Buddha. The altar on the right worships generals of the Tran Dynasty, while the altar on the left is dedicated to the Holy Mother of Three Palaces.
It is very convenient for tourists to come there as the pagoda lies in the heart of Halong City. In the past, the festival of Long Tien Pagoda opened on the 24th day of the third lunar month. At present, every day is a festival. Tourists and Buddhist followers from near and far visit the pagoda for sightseeing, or presenting their offerings to Buddha. The pagoda gets extremely crowed on the 1st and the 15th day of each month and during Tet traditional holiday.
Luu Khe Communal House
Location: Luu Khe Communal House is situated in the Luu Khe Village, Lien Hoa Commune, Yen Hung District, Quang Ninh Province.
Characteristics: It was built in 1822 - the third year of Emperor Minh Mang's reign to honour the two founders of the village - Do Do and Dao Ba Le.
Their services united people at the mouth of the Bach Dang River to make dykes that would form the village of Luong Qui in 1434. This village is today comprised of the hamlets of Quynh Bieu and Luu Khe.
It is built in the shape of the letter "dinh" (J). The communal house of Luu Khe bears the specific style of the popular engravings of village communal houses at the end of the 17th century, with images of dragons, shrimp, fish, lotus, unicorns, tortoises, phoenixes, flowers and clouds.
Festivities in the communal house take place on the 7th day of the first lunar month. They include a celebration of the longevity of the elderly people in the village and the staging of a procession to the communal house.
Phong Coc Communal House
Location: Phong Coc Communal House is situated in the centre of Phong Coc Commune, Ha Nam Island, Yen Hung District, Quang Ninh Province.
Characteristics: It was built at the end of the 17th century to honour the village's tutelary genie and four Lady Saints.
Phong Coc Communal House is built in the shape of the letter "dinh" (J). Its Front Ceremonial Hall has seven compartments and two lean-tos; meanwhile its Back Ceremonial Hall comprises five compartments and two lean-tos. Its Back Sanctuary also includes two compartments. The Communal House is 35m long and 15m wide. Its main pillars measure over 1 meter in perimeter. Eight lines of main pillars and two lines of supportive ones hold a 600-square meter ancient tiled roof.
The barge-board curves in tune with the scimitar edges, shaping the elegant structure of the Communal House. On the two main ironwood doors are carved with dragons and phoenixes flying in cloud. The exquisite carvings, especially those depicting the activities in daily life in the roof beams reveal that this construction is a treasure of Vietnamese architecture.The building is not only an attractive stop for thousands of domestic and foreign tourists, but it has also aided researchers in achieving a deeper insight of the architecture and culture of ancient Vietnamese villages.
Quan Lan Communal House
Location: Quan Lan Communal House is situated with a group of pagodas and shrines on Quan Lan Island Commune in the Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province, 35km from Cam Pha Town and 55km from Ha Long City.
Characteristics: It was built at end of the Later Le Dynasty (in the 17th century) and was restored on numerous occasions during the Nguyen Dynasty
It is dedicated to the founding fathers of the village, and also to Tran Khanh Du, the man who sunk the food supply boats of Truong Van Ho. This contribution was of great importance to the victory on the Bach Dang River in 1288.
It is built in the shape of the letter I. Its Front Ceremonial Hall has five compartments and two lean-tos. Its Back Sanctuary includes three compartments. The communal house has 32 big ironwood pillars, 26 smaller ironwood pillars. Its roof carved scale- tiles, atop of its roof has two carving dragons flanking a moon.
The main decorative themes of the building are: dragons, phoenixes, flowers and leaves, all formed in different styles at the ends of columns and frameworks. The most precious artefact still preserved in the communal house is a statue of Tran Khanh Du with 18 royal decrees from the Emperors Nguyen conferring the title of tutelary genie on him.
Next to it is Quan Lan Pagoda which is dedicate to Buddha, and Nghe Shrine which is dedicate Mr. Pham Cong Chinh, a local hero.
Visiting Quan Lan Island, tourists are not only enjoyed the landscape but also take bathing in the beaches: Son Hao, Dau Nui and Minh Chau.
The village festivities take place here from the 10th to 20th of the sixth lunar month (the official day is on the 18th day) but the atmosphere lasts all month long.
Quang Ninh Museum
Location: Quang Ninh Museum is located at 165 Nguyen Van Cu, Halong City, Quang Ninh Province.
Characteristics: The museum features modern architecture and is located on an area of 1,500 sq.m and an open-air exhibition area and flower gardens.
Quang Ninh Museum was founded in 1960 under the original name of the Historical and Revolutionary Museum of Hong Quang at 5B Cau Cao, Hong Gai Town (Halong City now). In 1964, Hong Quang Area was merged with Hai Ninh Province to form the new province of Quang Ninh and the museum took its new name following the merger.
During periods of war, all documents and artifacts from the museum were evacuated to various sites while the building of 5B Cau Cao was leveled in the dust by bombing.
In 1990, People’s Committee of the province decided to build Quang Ninh Museum at 165 Nguyen Van Cu, Halong City (former place of Quang Ninh Import and Export Company).
Exhibitions include: the early Halong culture; Ly and Tran Dynasties culture; culture of Quang Ninh's ethnic groups; times of wars; the history of the region's coal industry; revolutionary tradition of working class in mining area; Uncle Ho with Quang Ninh and Quang Ninh Province in renovation time. Over the last 40 years, the museum has found and preserved over 10,000 artifacts.
Quynh Lam Pagoda
Location: Quynh Lam Pagoda was built on a hill in the Trang An Commune, Dong Trieu District, Quang Ninh Province, about 3.5km from Dong Trieu Townlet and 83km from Halong City.
Characteristics: The pagoda was built at the Pre-Ly Dynasty (about the end of the 5th century, begin of the 6th century) and has been restored many times under the Dinh, Early Le, Ly, Tran, Le Dynasties.
Before the pagoda is a great lake, while the three remaining sides are surrounded by hills and mountains. It was embellished and completed in Ly, Tran Dynasties. During the 11th and 14th centuries - the end of Le Dynasty and in the 17th and 18th centuries, it developed into the main centre of Buddhism for the entire country.
In the 14th century the Quynh Lam Pagoda became an even more important Buddhist centre with the activities of the monk Phap Loa Dong Kien Cuong: a member of the second generation of the Truc Lam Buddhist sect. It was the centre for sacred books and for preaching Buddhism, as well as a training-site for future pagoda wardens. Many associations, famous in Vietnamese literature and history, were organized here.
The ritual festivities of the Quynh Lam Pagoda are held from the first to the fourth day of the second lunar month, but the festive atmosphere lasts through spring. Buddhist faithful flock here from all corners of the country.
In 1319, Phap Loa calls for blood donation from Buddhist followers to print over 5,000 copies of Dai Tang sutras, which are kept at Quynh Lam Buddhist Institute. In 1328, he had a statue of Maitreya cast. A year later, he brought a part of the bone ash of Nhan Tong (the 1st patriarch of the Truc Lam Zen sect) to put into the stone stupa in Quynh Lam Pagoda. In early 15th century, the pagoda was reduced to ruins and had to undergo many restorations. In 1727, the 7-sto