Duom Temple

Duom Temple - A Ly Dynasty National Heritage Site in Thai Nguyen Duom Temple is located in Duom Village, Phu Luong District, Thai Nguyen Province, approximately 25km from the center of Thai Nguyen City. Built around the 12th century (1180), the temple honors General Duong Tu Minh, a Tay ethnic leader under the Ly Dynasty. He was a key figure in defending the northern border of Dai Viet against the Song invaders and holds the unique distinction in Vietnamese history of being the only person to be granted the title of 'Prince Consort' (Pho Ma) by two different Ly kings. The temple was designated a National Heritage Site in 1993, and the Duom Temple Festival was recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017. The temple's architecture is nestled beneath the Duom mountain cliffs, surrounded by ancient trees and large rock formations resembling kneeling elephants and dragon heads. The complex is constructed of brick with tiled roofs, featuring a Three-Entrance Gate (Tam Quan) facing the national highway, a Bell Tower, Lower Temple, Middle Temple, and Upper Mother Temple, all arranged along an axis that ascends the mountain terrain. The temple completed its restoration in 2025 and is currently in excellent, pristine condition. The annual festival (held from the 6th to the 8th of the first lunar month) recreates traditional soil and water procession rituals. With its harmonious blend of temple and mountain architecture and its authentic Ly Dynasty historical background, this location is ideal for historical period dramas, films centered on feudal-era national defense, and documentaries on cultural beliefs and folk festivals. Information compiled by PTIT. Photo source: Thanh Tra Newspaper.