The construction of Tran Hung Dao Museum will contribute to preserving and effectively promoting the valuable tangible and intangible cultural heritage values left by our ancestors in the sacred land of Van Kiep, the special national relic site of Con Son - Kiep Bac, Hung Dao commune (Chi Linh city).
Kiep Bac Temple is located in the Van Kiep historical relic complex, an important place in the resistance war against the Yuan invaders (13th century) of the Dai Viet army and people. This place preserves and shines the ideological values and spiritual beliefs related to the legendary general Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan.
During the Tran Dynasty, the princes and dukes all had their own palaces in their localities, and when they had court meetings, they would return to the capital. The palace of Hung Dao Dai Vuong was in Van Kiep in the past, which is Kiep Bac today.
At the palace, Hung Dao Dai Vuong built a powerful army, prepared food and weapons, practiced martial arts, wrote the Military Strategy Essentials, and the Proclamation to Soldiers to arouse the spirit of the entire people to fight against foreign invaders. Under his command, the Tran Dynasty army and people achieved resounding victories, including the Van Kiep battle in the year At Dau (1285).
On August 20, 1300 (lunar calendar), Hung Dao Dai Vuong passed away at his palace. King Tran conferred on him the titles of Grand Tutor, Grand Duke, and King of Humanity Hung Dao Dai Vuong. The people built a temple to worship him right on the foundation of Van Kiep palace. This is a “unique” event because a real person was canonized, not a legendary character.
In 1972, the National Museum of History (now the National Museum of History) excavated behind Kiep Bac Temple and found traces of the architectural foundation of Van Kiep Palace on a large scale, with the typical royal architectural style of the Tran Dynasty. The excavation team commented: "This is an architectural relic with remaining pieces showing its large scale, reminding us of the majestic mansions of the Van Kiep period" or "Up to now, in our country, very few relics like this have been excavated. These are very valuable relics".
Today, Kiep Bac Temple is not only a temple to commemorate the national hero Tran Hung Dao but also closely related to the history of his Van Kiep palace, associated with Van Kiep fief, a famous place in the history of the Tran Dynasty's resistance against invaders. Many Party and State leaders who came to Kiep Bac left behind a guestbook affirming the special role and value of the Kiep Bac relic site in the treasure trove of Vietnamese cultural heritage.
The construction of Tran Hung Dao Museum is considered suitable for Hai Duong's cultural industry development strategy, in accordance with the master plan for preserving the historical and cultural relic site of Con Son - Kiep Bac associated with tourism development approved by the Prime Minister and the general planning of Chi Linh City until 2040.
The museum will contribute to completing the architectural works and landscape of Kiep Bac Temple, enhancing the historical value of the national relic site through the display of relics and archaeological artifacts introducing Van Kiep Palace, Hung Dao Dai Vuong, and the heroic history of the Tran Dynasty. Thereby contributing to educating the tradition of patriotism, national pride and self-respect for today's and future generations.
In the world, many famous museums are built such as the museum of the great painter Claude Monet, writer Victor Hugo in France, composer Mozart in Austria...
Tran Hung Dao Museum is expected to be built behind Kiep Bac Temple, currently planted with trees, a parking lot and part of the flower garden area next to the guest house of the Relic Management Board, with a total area of 8,934 m2.2The museum consists of two symmetrical buildings: Tran Hung Dao Museum is about 655 m wide.2, the exhibition house of the Tran Dynasty's beliefs has an area of about 446 m2There is also an open-air exhibition area of the architectural archaeological relics of Van Kiep palace during the Tran Dynasty and the landscapes, miniatures, and symbols that bear the historical value of the relic site...
According to Resolution No. 05/NQ-HDND dated March 1, 2024 on adjusting and allocating the 5-year local budget public investment plan for 2021-2025 and 2024 (2nd time); The Provincial People's Committee issued Notice No. 53/TB-UBND dated March 6, 2024 on the list of projects and the expected 5-year local budget capital plan for 2021-2025 from the provincial budget, this project has a total investment capital of 85 billion VND.
The construction of the Tran Hung Dao Museum has been agreed and supported by many people living around Kiep Bac area. Mr. Le Van Hao in Hung Dao commune (Chi Linh city) said: "I think the construction of the Tran Hung Dao Museum is necessary because it will preserve and display many valuable documents related to Saint Tran. From there, it will help visitors to the relic understand more about the hero who contributed a lot to the cause of national liberation."
The Tran Hung Dao Museum will preserve and promote profound scientific, political, cultural and social values, so that future generations can pay their respects to the Saint's achievements.
THANH HA