Hanoi: Preserve and effectively promote the relic of Phung Hung Temple.
Hanoi is proud to be the region that has the biggest number of relics and heritage in the country. Hanoi is also proud to be the place where many preeminent heroes and talents of the nation were born and nurtured. Among those preeminent heroes was Bo Cai Dai Vuong Phung Hung.
His hometown was the place, which is now located in Cam Lam village, Duong Lam commune, Son Tay town. He was unusual strong, brave smart, and he had a strong will to fight for self-reliance and build an independent country. He left posterity lessons about the spirit of indomitable struggle for national independence, repelling the domination of the Tang Dynasty, building an independent country at the end of the 8th century – AD. Although his reign was short-lived, his glorious feats are forever remembered in history and in generations of Vietnamese people.
In Hanoi’s territory, there are many tangible and intangible heritages related to Bo Cai Dai Vuong Phung Hung and his famous generals. In Son Tay town, to remember his merits and encourage chivalry among the People, the town has set up a sports award: the Phung Hung Wrestling Competition. Besides, in gratitude to Phung Hung, many places across the country have taken the name Phung Hung for streets, roads, schools, communal houses, places of worship…
Phung Hung Temple in Cam Lam Village – Duong Lam commune
A part of Phung Hung street in Hanoi
Phung Hung Temple in Trieu Khuc village, Thanh Tri commune
Communal House that worship Phung Hung in Hoang Cau, Dong Da district
According to statistics, there are 15 relics related to Phung Hung and dozens of monuments worshiping his famous generals in Hanoi. The relics are divided into categories: monuments, temples in his hometown. Monuments that recorded his feats. The remains of his headquarters. The relics worshiping Phung Hung are scattered in many parts of Hanoi, such as: Tomb of Bo Cai Dai Vuong in Cat Linh ward (Dong Da district), a temple in his hometown in Cam Lam village, and Doai Giap communal house (Duong Lam commune, Son Tay town), Trieu Khuc communal house (Tan Trieu commune, Thanh Tri district), Quang Ba communal house (Quang An ward, Tay Ho district), Hoang Cau communal house (O Cho Dua ward, Dong Da district)…In particular, Quang Ba communal house was the place where Phung Hung stationed his army when attacking Tong Binh citadel (present-day Hanoi). There are still many places associated with the uprising such as: Go La Co (where the flags of the commanders were planted during exercise), Ben Trom mound (where soldiers bathed after hours of practice), Mound Con Moc (where soldiers practiced carpentry and shields), Thuy Su lake (where the battle boats were anchored) etc. The relics and heritages about Phung Hung have been prioritized by Hanoi city for funding and investment resources in recent years.
Many festivals have been associated with relics such as Trieu Khuc festival, Hoang Cau communal house festival, Quang Ba communal house…Among the festivals at the relics worshiping Phung Hung, the Trieu Khuc communal house festival has been recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The drum dance in Trieu Khuc festival depicts the scene of Phung Hung let men to pretend to be women, dancing to entertain soldiers.
Known as the “land of two kings”, the chivalry of the national heroes Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung is forever preserved and promoted. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the construction of Son Tay Citadel, Son Tay town will have many activities to remember the national hero – the son of Phung Hung’s homeland.
Thanh Thanh