Dong Nai is a province in the Southeast region of Vietnam, located about 30km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. This place has many famous historical and cultural relics. One of them that should be visited first in Bien Hoa – Dong Nai is Tran Bien Temple of Literature – a project that represents the studious tradition of the Vietnamese people. Let’s learn about this historical site with Vietdreamtravel!
General information of Tran Bien Temple of Literature
Tran Bien Temple of Literature is one of Vietnam’s national monuments, the first temple of literature built in South Vietnam. The purpose is to honor Confucius, honor Vietnamese cultural celebrities and serve as a place to train talented people. Today, the Temple of Literature is more than 300 years old. Tran Bien Temple of Literature was born and is considered a “Quoc Tu Giam Temple of Literature” of the Southern region. One of the symbols for the learning tradition, pride and culture of Southern Vietnamese people.
The Tran Bien Temple of Literature first build in 1715. Tran Bien temple had undergone two major restorations in 1794, and 1852. Each time it was repaired on a larger scale. But in 1861, the temple was burned by the French colonialists when they invaded the Bien Hoa region. It was not until 1998 – the 300th anniversary of the establishment and development of Bien Hoa – Dong Nai, this construction was restored on the old temple foundation, completed after 4 years. Located about 3km from Bien Hoa city center and near Buu Long Cultural and Tourism Center. Up to now, Tran Bien Temple of Literature has increasingly expanded and become a attractive destination for people inside and outside the province to visit. And if you traveling from Ho Chi Minh City, especially with a group, renting a private car with a driver to Bien Hoa would be the top choice.
Architecture of Tran Bien Temple of Literature
Built in the architectural style of the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi, from the outside looking in, it includes items such as the traditional stele house of Tran Bien – Dong Nai, Khue Van Cac, Tinh Quang lake, three-entrance gate, the second stele worshiping Confucius, and finally the large main hall. Tran Bien Temple of Literature is a place to demonstrate the tradition of respecting teachers and respecting their talents.
The entrance of Tran Bien Temple of Literature
As soon as you step in here, you can feel the airy space, highlighted by the curved, emerald green tiled roof hidden among the canopy of leaves. The color of green tiles is considered a symbol of the color of the temple.
Located in the middle of the temple is a stele with the words: “Talent is the national energy” of Than Nhan Trung. This place has parallel lacquered panels, expressing the nation’s spirit of studiousness and humanistic cultural traditions.
The main hall area was built in the ancient architectural style of a three-compartment house, with a floor paved with traditional tiles, painted with gold, and on the pillars hung a pair of opposing tureens.
In the main worship area, the central hall worships President Ho Chi Minh. The left space worships typical Vietnamese cultural celebrities including: Chu Van An, Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Le Quy Don, Nguyen Du. The right pavilion worships cultural celebrities associated with the land of Bien Hoa – Dong Nai and the ancient South: Vo Truong Toan, Dang Duc Thuat, Trinh Hoai Duc, Le Quang Dinh, Ngo Nhon Tinh, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Bui Huu Means.
In the worship space, there are also artifacts that connect and continue the nation’s origins such as: Doctoral stele of the 1442 exam (restored), Thang Long festival drum, altar cabinet with 18 kilograms of soil and 18 kilograms of water taken from Hung Temple…
Tran Bien Temple of Literature is a special cultural address in Dong Nai. With airy space and unique architecture, this area is the venue for many local events such as the Tet holiday for students, the spring flower festival, the spring announcement festival, the poetry festival, the public announcement ceremony, the ancestral visitation ceremony… This is a place to preserve and honor traditional values, is a place to commemorate the ancestors of Vietnamese people in the Mekong Delta.
Usefull information about Tran Bien Temple of Literature
- Best for: solo, family, student.
- Entrance: Free
- Tourist spots nearby: Buu Long Tourist Area, Golden Scorpion Ecotourism, Hang Gon Ancient Tomb,…
Source: collected
