Worshipping heroes is a part of Vietnamese culture. Across the country, countless temples have been built to honor Vietnamese heroes. And Tran Hung Dao Temple (Vietnamese: đền thờ Trần Hưng Đạo; đền thờ means “temple”) in Ho Chi Minh City is one of them.

Overview of the Tran Hung Dao Temple 

Tran Hung Dao was a Vietnamese royal prince, statesman, and military commander of Dại Viet military forces during the Trần Dynasty (1225 to 1400). He’s well-known for successfully defeating Kublai Khan’s Mongol aggressors twice in the 13th century.

Tran Hung Dao Temple

After he passed away, he was widely worshipped, mainly as a protector of peace. And Tran Hung Dao temple in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the biggest temples in Southern Vietnam, devoted to him. It was first erected in 1932 on the grounds of Van An pagoda. In 1957, it was entirely rebuilt following a design by architect Nguyen Manh Bao.

Architecture of Tran Hung Dao Temple

The temple has three large gates. The main gate only opens on the 15th and 30th of the lunar calendar (major festivals of the year) and on August 20th (his memorial day). Two side gates open regularly to welcome visitors to visit daily. On the roof of the main gate is the image of “two dragons flanking a moon”. Other corners adorned with dragon and phoenix figures. There is also a pair of white marble unicorn statues set up in front of the gate.

Tran Hung Dao Temple

On a campus of about 2,000 m², the temple yard occupies most of the area, shaded by tall trees. The temple courtyard is paved with brown glazed tiles. Right at the beginning of the courtyard is a statue of Tran Hung Dao, cast in cement and painted in black and gold, which looks majestic and harmonious with the temple area.

Tran Hung Dao Temple
A statue of Tran Hung Dao

A corner of the yard quotes a passage from Hich Tuong Si written at the end of the 13th century before the second resistance war against the Mongol invaders by Dai Viet’s army and people.

Hich Tuong Si

The temple was built following the communal house style in Vietnam and is divided into 2 halls. In the front hall, there are many lacquered boards, horizontal and vertical… describing the major events of history during the Tran dynasty, such as: Dien Hong Conference, Hoa River Oath, Bach Dang Battle 1288.

main hall of temple
Inside Tran Hung Dao Temple

In the middle is an altar to the talented generals of the Tran dynasty, such as Tran Quang Khai, Tran Khanh Du, Pham Ngu Lao, Da Tuong, and Yet Kieu.

Tran Hung Dao Temple
The altars of generals of the Tran Dynasty

Next to the temple is the “Tran Dynasty Historical Exhibition” house, built in 1929 and currently closed for renovation. Every year, the temple observes major holidays, including the death anniversary (August 20 of the lunar calendar) and the birth anniversary (December 10) of Tran Hung Dao.

Tran Hung Dao Temple

Useful information about Tran Hung Dao Temple

Source: collected by An

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