Temple of Literature - Preserving the traditional beauty of the nation

The Temple of Literature is one of the special relics contributed, built and protected by the people themselves. The architecture and festivals here still retain almost their original value.

"Traditional Festival - Van Thanh Temple Festival in Vinh Long " has been listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Traditional rituals and cultural and artistic activities at the Van Thanh Temple festival contribute to propagating and educating today's and future generations about the history of the formation and development of Vinh Long land, about the tradition of our ancestors' struggle to build and defend the country, and educating patriotism and national pride.

Preserving unique historical and cultural values

Van Thanh Temple in Vinh Long is considered the "Quoc Tu Giam of the Southern region".

During the Nguyen Dynasty, the court built three Temples of Literature: Tran Bien (1715), Gia Dinh (1824), and Vinh Long (1864), which were the official cultural institutions in the new land of the six provinces of Cochinchina. The Vinh Long Temple of Literature was completed in 1866. The Hue court granted 20 temple workers to clean it, and established the Temple of Literature Association to look after it and perform the sacrifices. Every year, there were two spring and autumn sacrifices, according to the court's rituals.

In June 1867, the French colonialists occupied Vinh Long for the second time, and Van Thanh Temple was in danger of being destroyed by the colonialists. At this time, Mr. Truong Ngoc Lang negotiated with the French to preserve this important cultural work. After many restorations and renovations, Van Thanh Temple in Vinh Long still retains its original ancient features. This place was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national historical-cultural relic in 1991. In 2018, the Mekong Delta Tourism Association voted Van Thanh Temple in Vinh Long as a typical destination for tourism in the Mekong Delta. Notably, in 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism included the "Traditional Festival - Van Thanh Temple Festival in Vinh Long" in the list of national intangible cultural heritages.

The Temple of Literature was built with a unique architecture. Behind the main gate is the "divine path" axis connecting the main gate with the main gate of the citadel. On both sides are two rows of tall star trees planted since 1944, which have been recognized as national heritage trees. On the spiritual path axis, there are 3 stone steles. Among them, there is a stele written by Phan Thanh Gian before his suicide, and erected by Truong Ngoc Lang in 1872.

The main structure of the Temple of Literature is the Dai Thanh Palace, built in the style of: Three main rooms, two lower rooms - 3 main rooms, two wings; tiled roof with overlapping steps and snails; the frame is made of precious wood. The altar in the middle and the innermost worships the tablet and portrait of Confucius. In front is the altar of teacher Chu Van An, which was invited by the Vinh Long education and training sector from Hai Duong province to worship here, on the occasion of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi. Every year, at the Dai Thanh Palace, there are 2 big festivals to worship Confucius and the Saints on the Spring Dinh and Autumn Dinh days (the first Dinh day of the 2nd lunar month and the last Dinh day of the 8th lunar month).

Van Xuong Cac carries the historical-cultural-educational significance of the land. The building is made of wood, with the first moon-watching tower in Vinh Long province. Every year, at Van Xuong Cac, there are two festivals: the death anniversary of Phan Thanh Gian (July 4-5 of the lunar calendar), the death anniversary of high-ranking officials and fallen soldiers (October 12-13 of the lunar calendar). At Van Xuong Cac, more than a hundred years ago, the gentry, scholars, and intellectuals regularly organized performances of traditional art forms such as: Don Ca Tai Tu, Hat Boi,... This is also the place where Mr. Pho Muoi Hai - Tong Huu Dinh created and performed the art of Ca Ra Bo, the predecessor of Cai Luong stage art later.

According to Mr. Tran Van Vien - Head of the Management Board of Van Thanh Temple: "Every year, during the Van Thanh Temple festival, visitors from all over the country come in large numbers, filling the entire campus. People come here to commemorate their ancestors, visit, learn about the architecture and festivals. The Vinh Long education sector also regularly brings children here to educate them about traditions and foster their love for their homeland."

Promoting good traditions

This is a place to educate tradition and foster love for the homeland for students.

Every year on the anniversary of Phan Thanh Gian's death, the Phan Family Council of Vinh Long province maintains the organization of awarding scholarships and honoring students. The Council was established for the purpose of mutual love, encouragement of learning, and gratitude to ancestors in the Phan family.

Mr. Phan Thanh Nam is the son of the late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, who holds the role of Vice President of the Phan Family Council of Vietnam and President of the Phan Family Council of Ho Chi Minh City. He said: “80 years ago, President Ho Chi Minh once said at the opening ceremony: “Whether Vietnam’s mountains and rivers become beautiful or not, whether the Vietnamese people can step up to the stage of glory to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world powers or not, depends largely on your studies”. This scholarship encourages you to study and research, and will be good seeds that the homeland, the land of learning Vinh Long, strives to nurture.”

Phan Le My Linh - Class 12X1, Pham Hung High School shared: “Hearing the explanation about the relic and understanding more about the contributions of our ancestors, I was very moved. I was born and raised in a poor family. Every time a new school year begins, I am both happy and worried about the tuition fees. Thanks to the scholarship fund, it has given me strength, extended my dream, and made me not give up. We must try harder to make Vinh Long, the land of learning, famous.”

For many years, the province has increased the digitization of images, artifacts, and contents of relics, supporting the management and storage of heritage data, as a basis for historical and cultural research. Mr. Thach Boi - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized: "The combination of field trips and digital technology not only increases the effectiveness of propaganda and traditional education but also contributes to promoting local culture and history, promoting tourism. At the same time, preserving and promoting the value of "red addresses" in a modern and sustainable way".

Ms. Nguyen Thi Quyen Thanh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee, said: "Over the years, the province has always paid attention to the work of preserving, protecting and promoting the value of cultural heritage, identifying it as one of the driving forces creating identity and endogenous strength in the development process. The Van Thanh Temple Festival was included in the national list in excitement and pride, but along with that is the responsibility in managing, preserving and promoting the inherent value of the heritage.

It is necessary to raise social awareness, respect and sense of responsibility of the community towards cultural heritage; spread these cultural values not only in the community but also to the provinces in the region and the whole country. From there, build the local cultural brand, contributing to promoting tourism development of the province".

Article and photos: PHUONG THU

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/202509/van-thanh-mieu-luu-giu-ve-dep-truyen-thong-cua-dan-toc-7e21432/