Coming to Vinh Long, a city on the banks of the romantic Co Chien River, visitors will visit many famous historical and cultural relics. One of them is Van Thanh Temple, a typical architectural work left over from the Nguyen Dynasty after the French army occupied Vinh Long citadel. This place is known as the “Temple of Literature of the South”, preserving many precious stories about the studious spirit of Vietnamese ancestors in ancient times.
General information about Van Thanh Temple
Van Thanh Temple of Vinh Long is located in Ward 4, Binh Long district, Vinh Long province, southeast of Vinh Long city. When traveling to Vinh Long, if you want to visit the Temple of Literature, from the center of Vinh Long city, follow Tran Phu Street along Long Ho River, only a short distance of about 2km to get there. And from Ho Chi Minh City, it would be the best way is renting a private car to Vinh Long as it takes more than 2 hours of driving to get here.
Entrance of Van Thanh Temple
Van Thanh Mieu Vinh Long is one of the three Van Thanh Temples first built in the South. The other two Temples of Literature are located in Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province and ancient Gia Dinh land (now is Ho Chi Minh City). The project was started in 1864 and completed in 1866 by Mr. Nguyen Thong, worshiping Confucius and his students.
When Van Thanh Temple’s construction was completed. The Temple of Literature Association was born to take charge of management and worship. This place became the cultural center of the southwestern region. Scholars and guests gathered here to discuss poetry and world affairs.
In 1867, after occupying Vinh Long, the French colonialists destroyed the cultural works left by the Nguyen Dynasty and intended to destroy the Temple of Literature. Implementing the teachings of Mr. Phan Thanh Gian, Mr. Truong Ngoc Lang sought many measures to protect Van Thanh Temple – the cultural heritage of Vinh Long land.
After occupying Vinh Long, the French colonialists used the excuse of lack of wood to build the Provincial Governor’s Palace, intending to destroy Van Thanh Temple. At that time, Mr. Truong Ngoc Lang was nominated by his compatriots to join the expeditionary force to retain this cultural work. From then until now, Van Thanh Temple of Vinh Long was renovated in 1872, 1903, 1914, 1933, 1963, 1994, 2006 and 2007.
Having gone through many historical events, the building has been restored and renovated many times but still retains its original architecture, and was recognized as a national cultural relic in 1991.
Van Thanh Temple – A place to preserve the traditional beauty of the nation
The majestic three-entrance gate faces the quiet river, built in the ancient style with a three-storey roof, simple but artistic, with a carved on the two pillars. Behind the gate is straight path leading to Dai Thanh Palace. On both sides are two rows of tall tree that may have same age as the temple.
In front of the gate is a stele recording the writings of Mr. Phan Thanh Gian, on the front mention the reason for building the temple, praising the merits of the Saint and the court, on the back praising the names of those with meritorious services.
Van Thanh Temple – stele recording the writings of Mr. Phan Thanh Gian
In total, there are three valuable steles marking historical periods associated with the Temple of Literature. In addition to the Phan Thanh Gian’s stele, there is also a stele recording the temple’s restoration in 1903, and a stele recording credit to Ms. Truong Thi Loan (Mr. Truong Ngoc Lang’s daughter) for donating the land.
The main hall is made in the style of overlapping. The statue of Confucius is worshiped in the middle, flanked by four masters.
Dai Thanh Palace in Van Mieu Temple
In addition, the altar on the left and right also worships 12 other scholars. In front is the altar of Mr.Chu Van An – a teacher, physician and high-ranking mandarin of the Tran dynasty in Dai Viet. Outside, two small temples were built as a place to commemorate the 72 famous students of Confucius.
The place to commemorate the 72 famous students of Confucius
In the campus of Van Thanh Temple, there is also a lotus pond and a small architectural work located to the right of the entrance, named Tuy Van Lau (also known as Van Xuong Cac). The Tuy Van Lau is located right at the entrance, with two cannons on both sides. These ancient guns from 1921 were placed at the wharf (in front of the current Vinh Long Museum).
Tuy Van Lau
In 1937, it brought Van Thanh Temple and in 1960 it was placed majestically on a pedestal. Van Xuong Cac was built in the style of overlapping. Upstairs is a place to store books and worship Wenchang Wang, known as the God of Culture and Literature. Downstairs, the middle space is where meeting area for students, behind is a sophisticatedly carved altar, inside are placed two tablets scholars Vo Truong Toan and Phan Thanh Gian.
On March 25, 1991, Van Thanh Temple was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic. Every year, the temple held two worshiping anniversary of Phan Thanh Gian (the 4th and 5th of the 7th lunar month), the death anniversaries of high-ranking mandarins and soldiers (the 12th and 13th of the 10th lunar month).
Useful information about Van Thanh Temple
- Best for: solo, family, student.
- Entrance: Free
- Tourist spots nearby: Vinh Long Ceramic Brick, Vinh Long Ancient House Ecological Area, Vinh Long Museum, May Islet, Phu Ly Pagoda, Museum of Khmer Ethnic Culture…
Source: collected by An
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