There is a site in Tra Vinh Town of Tra Vinh Province, that attracts a lot of both domestic and foreign visitors when they stay in this province. It's the temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. The attraction lies not only in its scenery, but also in its historical significance.
The temple was built in 1970, one year after the death of the President in September 1969. At that time, the Vietnam war, waged by the American imperialists, was at its peak. Construction of the temple was really a marvel, undertaken by the local people to honour their beloved President and to show the strong commitment to take back independence as was his wish throughout his life time.
When President Ho Chi Minh died, the foreign aggressors and the South Vietnam administration used loud speakers to disseminate negative information, in an attempt to destroy the will of the Vietnamese army and people. However, their attempt failed, because it further fostered the Vietnamese people's confidence in their final victory.
A temple was built in Vinh Loc hamlet of Long Duc village, a "steel land" in Tra Vinh Town, which experienced a hard life throughout the anti-French and US resistance wars. The village was only 4 kilometres from the Vinh Binh (the name of Tra Vinh before liberation) provincial puppet administration's head office, and 1,500m from an US military base, equipped with modern facilities and an airport with fighter jets, bombers, and scout planes. The temple was located in an area just 300m away from an enemy's post and within range of their artillery. That's why, construction material and facilities were transported by the villagers to the site during the night and by secret other means. Despite all those difficulties, construction of the temple started on March 10, 1970 and the temple was inaugurated on January 31, 1971.
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The temple is in a square shape, with each side 4m long and is surrounded with green bamboo trees.The presence of the temple right on the site which experienced fierce bombing and shelling by the enemy, helped highlight the local people's spirit, but caused worry for the enemy. During the war, they staged hundreds of mopping up operations and fired thousands of artillery rounds from war ships and bombed from the air. The temple was destroyed twice. In return, nearly 500 enemy troops, equipped with modern weapons and aircraft, were killed by Long Duc villagers and army forces, who were equipped with only rudimentary weapons. More than 10 martyrs died and dozens of people were wounded during the fight to defend the temple. In the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign in 1975, before marching to the front, the local liberation soldiers gave an oath at the temple, swearing to fight for the Homeland. Tra Vinh Province was liberated on April 30, 1975, the same day as Saigon and was among the first areas to be liberated in the Cuu Long (Mekong) river delta.
After liberation, according to the local people's desire, the provincial authorities ordered the restoration and preservation of the temple. Nearby the temple, several buildings were established, making the whole complex into a historical and cultural site on an area of 7 hectares. Rebuilt according to its original architecture, the temple is sheltered with a roof in the shape of a lotus flower.
The Temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh is ardent proof of Tra Vinh people's respect and love for the President. With its historical and sentimental value, the temple has been recognised as a national historical and cultural site.
Professor Tran Van Giau, when visiting the temple, noted in the visitors' notebook: "The temple is small, but it reflects the Long Duc people's strong will. Visiting the temple, we feel as if our beloved President is here with us. Time and weather may fade the temple's appearance, but the high spirit for fighting of Long Duc people is forever bright, like the sun that shines on this land."
By Tien Dung - Le Cuong
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