Pho Hien - Hung Yen was once the busiest international trading port in Dang Ngoai in the 16th and 17th centuries, a "small Trang An", "a prosperous urban place", also a place of convergence and interference of multiple cultures. While Thang Long citadel had 36 streets, Pho Hien had more than 20 wards, famous for the saying"Thu nhat Kinh Ky, thu nhi Pho Hien" (The first is Kinh Ky, the second is Pho Hien)...

Pho Hien - Hung Yen was once the busiest international trading port in Dang Ngoai in the 16th and 17th centuries, a "small Trang An", "a prosperous urban place", also a place of convergence and interference of multiple cultures. While Thang Long citadel had 36 streets, Pho Hien had more than 20 wards, famous for the saying"Thu nhat Kinh Ky, thu nhi Pho Hien" (The first is Kinh Ky, the second is Pho Hien)...

If you have the chance to come to Hung Yen, you will be satisfied to experience Pho Hien special national relic site, to feel the rich and unique historical, cultural, artistic and architectural values whichmark the features of "Tieu Trang An". In addition, the beauty of works in Pho Hien relic complex is also the crystallization and interference of pure Vietnamese architectural style, Chinese architecture style and Westernarchitecture style

Pho Hien relic complex was recognized as the special national relic in 2014. Pho Hien special national relic site includes 16 typical monuments, which are: Xich Dang temple, Chuong Pagoda, and Mau Temple, Tran Temple,  HienCommunal House  and Pagoda, Pho Pagoda, Ne Chau Pagoda, Thien Hau Temple, Vo Mieu, Dong Do Quang Hoi, May Temple, Cuu Thien Huyen Nu Temple, Ba Chua Kho Temple, An Vu Communal House, Kim Dang Temple, Nam Hoa temple.

Mau temple

The first place you should explore is Mau Temple, right next to Ban Nguyet Lake on Bai Say Street in Quang Trung Ward, which is the historical and cultural relic, an ancient majestic architecture, a sacred destination that tourists would like to visit. The temple worships Yang Guifeiwho committed suicide to remain loyalty to the king and to the country. Here, visitors can admire the ancient beauty of the temple and the union of three ancient trees namely Da, Xanh, Siinto a tripodaged over 700 years, making the temple space even more mysteriousand sacred.

Photo: Tran temple at night

Visiting Hung Yen province, you will be blessed with success at Tran Temple where worships Grand Prince Hung Dao - a national hero, a talented politician. He had great merit in repelling Mongol invaders for the 2nd and 3rd time.

Photo: Hung Yen temple

The next place to explore is Xich Dang temple in Lam Son ward which was built in Le dynasty. This temple embodies the studious spirit of Hung Yen people and concentrates culture an intelligence of the province. Today, the temple still preserves a number of valuable antiques, most of them are 9 steles recording 162 graduates of ancient Son Nam area. These are completed art works that sculpt diverse patterns of dragons, unicorns and two dragons heading to the moon which are complicated, intricate and flexible to details.

Not too far from Xich Dang temple, May temple and Kim Dang temple are also located in Lam Son ward that bring unique value. May temple was built in Dinh and early Le dynasty and restored in Nguyen dynasty. Pham Bach Ho temple is famous for its sacred story and a lively example of an immortal trust in the blessing of May temple legend. Kim Dang temple worshipping general Dinh Dien and first lady Phan Thi Moi Nuong carries the artistic style of Nguyen dynasty.

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Photo:Chuong pagoda

Your adventure is not completed without visiting Chuong pagoda. This pagoda is considered "the number one relic in Pho Hien", which is not only renowned for its beautiful scenes but also carries diverse Buddha statues.

The unique feature of these statues is not only impressed by skillful and elaborate sculptural art but also vivid and flexible nuances through facial expressions and gestures. Therefore, at this temple, there is still an unique folk fortune-telling method by calculating the year and choosing the statue.Leaving Chuong Pagoda, you will admire the beauty of An Vu communal house on the phoenix-shaped land. The communal house worships Cao Son Dai Vuong - a famous general under Hung Due VuongKing, who helpedHung King to fight against the invasion of the Thuc army.

Nam Hoa temple, facing South West with I-shaped architecture, was built in Nguyen dynasty. This temple worships 3 legends who represent 3 nature power including sky, water and soil. These legends protect people, reduce catastrophe, and bring about favorable weather for lush plants. If you want to ask for fortune and wealth, come visit Ba Chua Kho temple located on Dien Bien street, Quang Trung ward. This temple worships Le Bach Nuong, a patriotic beauty in Le dynasty. She was assigned to keep the national budget in Vinh Ty (under Hung Yen city today). She fought and died to protect the budget from the enemies. Coming up next, Cuu Thien Huyen Nu temple located on Dien Bien II street, Le Loi ward, worships Duc Cuu Thien Huyen Nu Chan Quan who helped people during the hardship

Photo: Hien pagoda

Down to the South comes ancient Pho Hien with the relic cluster of Hien communal house and pagoda. There are 2 steles on the yard of Hien pagoda built in 1625 and 1709, recording the immigration process in the ancient Pho Hien port. The pagoda is also famous for the ancestor longan tree aged over 300 years. This variety of longan is so precious that scientist Le Quy Don once cried that “the pulp is mouthful thick and the flavor is as holy water”.

Next to Hien pagoda comes Hien communal house where worships the tutelary deity of Mau Duong village. The communal house is built in the 17th century and has great impact of the artistic style of later Le dynasty.

Another renown attraction of Pho Hien is Ne Chau pagoda. People can stroll in the small garden and admire the ancient architecture and sophisticated carving patterns beautifully matching with Tuyet Son statue and Tam The statue set, which treats them with serenity moments and desire for the beauty in life.

In this special national relic site, Pho pagoda,located on Trung Trac street, Quang Trung ward is the intersection of culture and architecture among Vietnamese style, Chinese and Western style.The most impacted feature is Thieu Huong building which carries the style of church with curved roofs.

Photo: Hung Yen longan

Previously, there used to be a variety of Hoa families settling in Pho Hien, leaving a wide range of relics having Chinese characteristics. Vo Mieu, Thien Hau temple and Dong Do Quang Hoi are still kept intact today.

Bun thang luon (Hot rice noodle soup with eel)

Travelling around Pho hien over the distance of 5 kilometers, tourists can hire bicycles orxich lo for their journey. Services are not expensive, the air is pure, streets are not dirty nor busy with honk; people here are honest and friendly; culinary is attractive with charming dishes coming from the Red River and rich fertile alluvium. Tourists can also enjoy the delicacy taste of longan, seed lotus seed gruel; a nutritious bowl of bun thang luon in the early morning; rustic dishes of river fish, river shrimp or paddle crabs. All of these induce people to visit Pho Hien, explore and experience the local life.