Located in Van Lam village, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, Thai Vi temple is like a breaking point in the peaceful space of the Northern Delta countryside. Coming here, visitors not only burn incense to pray, but also have the opportunity to learn about many valuable cultural heritages.  

Thai Vi is a famous sacred temple worshiping the kings of the Tran dynasty, the temple is located between the green rice fields and the hilly mountain complex. Right outside the temple gate is a shady banyan tree and a small water line under the banyan tree where visitors stop to rest and chat. The temple is located in the middle of a beautiful and harmonious space, with the right side is Ngo Giang river, the left is Coi Linh mountain, in front of the temple door is a golden well containing pure Bach Ngoc. That green landscape reminds visitors of the traditional folk couplet: “Thao Tu Son Liem is peerless holy land (This holy land is only one and not two) / Hoa Hoang Thuy disturbs the first Thien Chau (River). winding mountains, fragrant flowers and strange grass, scenes like fairy realms, are also unique)…

Those who go down Tam Coc boat to walk around the landscape remember to visit Thai Vi temple to admire this unique and valuable cultural and historical space.

There are two ways to Thai Vi temple, either on the way down the boat to Tam Coc, at the entrance to the shore, stop at the beginning of the small path to walk to the temple. Second, from Van Lam wharf, turn right, follow the road, the road parallels the Ngo Dong stream to enter the temple.

The temple is located in a quiet space, extremely noble and ethereal appearance. This place is a sacred temple, worshiping the first kings of the Tran dynasty such as Tran Thai Tong, Tran Thanh Tong, Tran Nhan Tong, Tran Anh Tong, generals Tran Hung Dao, Tran Quang Khai and Queen Thuan. Sky.

The first temple in this place was built right after the victory of the resistance war against the Nguyen Mong army in 1258, when King Tran Thai Tong decided to cede the throne to his son and then retreated to this mountainous area, establishing Thai Vi temple to become a monk. . Later, the kings Tran Thanh Tong and Tran Nhan Tong also ordained here.

The road to the temple is green, shading the whole path. Leaning against Cam Son mountain, facing Ngo Dong river, the whole scene of the temple creates a feeling of peace and tranquility.

In front of the remaining temple, the Jade Well was built of blue stone and the two horses right in front of Nghi Mon gate were also built of monolithic green stone. The main road leading to the main hall crosses a steeple made of ironwood, the roof is roofed with a comedic nose, the sharp corners are curved up like the shape of a phoenix’s tail.

The temple grounds and the main road are made of green stone. The front porch is six rows of round columns made of blue stone, embossed with a dragon’s head in front of the main hall. The altar placed in the middle of the main hall is also a large and superficial block of blue stone, creating a great value for this temple.

Because this can be considered a unique temple made entirely of monolithic blue stone, the decorative lines are extremely flexible as if carved on wood, showing the stone carving talent of skilled craftsmen. in the region, has created every vivid detail that is still valid today and even into the future.

The main hall is low and quiet, following the style of Northern temples and pagodas. The interior is quiet and dark, creating a dignified feeling. Statues of Tran kings, generals, queen Thuan Thien.. solemnly placed on the altar.

The scent of frankincense spreads everywhere. People who visit the temple never go away, so the incense never fades away. The temple keeper saw that there were visitors, so he knocked a sacred drum to make the atmosphere in the temple more solemn.

Coming to Thai Vi Temple, sometimes visitors can see the ritual of the hau dong in the main hall, this is a form of folk performance mainly of the belief of Mother Goddess (representative intangible cultural heritage of mankind). awarded by UNESCO). The unique traditional cultural elements can be clearly seen in the Hau Dong ceremony, with costumes, lyrics, dances, and folk performances imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity created and handed down to the people. to this day. It seems that the Hau Dong ceremony makes the spiritual space at the door of Thai Vi Temple become more sacred, mysterious and attractive to tourists…

Thai Vi Temple is associated with the history of the Tran Dynasty, so this is a sacred place for people all over the country to come to commemorate the merits of the Tran kings. Besides, with the traditional architecture of “foreign domestic and foreign affairs”, the delicate and sharp decoration lines, the temple also carries invaluable cultural, architectural and spiritual values ​​that need to be loved, cherished and cherished. preserved with time.