The Bao Ha Temple in Lao Cai is a spiritual stop along the way. "Travel to the point of origin"

DNHN - Bao Ha Temple, Bao Ha Commune, Bao Yen District, Lao Cai is situated in the "Relics of the Hoang Bay Spirit National Guard," which has become a spiritual tourist destination for tens of thousands of visitors from within and outside the province.

The State designated Bao Ha Temple as a national historical and cultural relic site in November 1997. Bao Ha Temple is located approximately 60 kilometres south of Lao Cai city, approximately one kilometre from Bao Yen station, in the majestic and poetic space by the flowing Red River, at the foot of Cam mountain, and will gradually appear in the subtle incense smoke before visitors.

The temple has become the most popular tourist attraction in the Bao Yen district in recent years. Mr Nguyen Van Quyen, head of the Temple Management Board, stated that since the first day of Tet, the temple has welcomed nearly 6,000 visitors per day, a significant increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Specifically, the full moon of January and the festival commemorating Mr Hoang Bay's death anniversary (July 17 on the lunar calendar) are the busiest times for temple ceremonies and visitors.

Bao Ha Temple venerates Hoang Bay, a hero of the highlands who defended the border against Northern invaders while serving in the national guard. According to historical records, the temple was constructed at the end of the Le Dynasty (year name Canh Hung) to honour the Nguyen family's famous general Hoang Bay, who fought the enemy at the Lao Cai border gate and defended the nation. Bao Ha held an important position in Vietnam's feudal history as the station gate of the Red River defence line in the northwest.

During the Tran dynasty, two border gates, Bao Thang and Bao Ha, were constructed, with Bao Ha serving as the base for Bao Thang. The districts listed below have a signal station and a communication station. Bao Ha is the centre of Chau Van Ban between the eras of Canh Hung. During this time, the Northern invaders frequently harassed Chau Van Ban, who was forced to construct fortifications against the enemy. At the end of the Le Dynasty (1740-1786), Phu Quy Hoa was plagued by bandits from the north in Chau Thuy Vi, Van Ban, and numerous other locations.

In response to the border incursions, the court dispatched a seventh general named Nguyen to guard Quy Hoa. The famous Nguyen family general led his army along the Thao River to repel the invaders, liberated Bao Ha and constructed a large base there. Here, the famous general commanded the navy and army to advance to fight the enemy in Lao Cai, liberating the provinces of Quy Hoa (present-day Yen Bai and Lao Cai). After that, the northern enemy invaded the country, and the famous general Hoang Bay led his army into battle. However, as a result of the unequal battle, he died valiantly. The enemy threw his body into the Red River and it floated to Bao Ha. The community organised by Mr Lu Van Cu removed his body for burial and constructed a temple.

To remember his merits, Nguyen Dynasty kings such as Minh Menh, and Thieu Tri gave him the title of "Treasure of peace" and his temple was also ordained by the Nguyen kings as "Than Ve Quoc". As for the Kinh, Tay, and Dao ethnic groups, they worship him as a human god. He entered the spiritual realm of the peoples and embodied in the festivals in the fields on the Dragon Day of the first month.

The original architecture of the temple has been preserved almost entirely to this day, showing its majesty and dignity but not too sophisticated, including the three-way gate, the temple courtyard, the guest house, the Son Trang lord's palace, the Court Great worship, Forbidden Palace, Second Palace, Communal Palace with different area and arrangement of statues. In the main shrines of the temple, there are statues of Saint Tran, King Father, Quan Tuan Trang, Mr Hoang Bay, Mr Hoang Dong Quan Bo Phu, Mau Nhi, Mother Thuong Nga, Mother Thuy Tien, Thien Phuc Thien Nhan.

The most important festivals at Bao Ha Temple are the Thuong Nguyen Festival (January full moon), the Mandarin Festival party (May 25 of the lunar calendar), and the festival commemorating Mr Hoang Bay's death anniversary (May 17). 7 lunar calendar), late Tet (the Eve of the New Year). The festivals with the most attendees in Lao Cai province are the Bao Ha Temple Festival and the Thuong Temple Festival. This is the historical moment when community strength converges and expresses the Lao Cai people's desire for prosperity and peace.

PV (t/h)