Symbol of Vietnam-Laos friendship
Thuong Thai Son Temple is located in Thai Son village (Son Lai commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province), currently worshiping the Lao princess with the title of Princess Nhoi Hoa. This is the only temple to worship a foreign princess in Vietnam.
Thuong Thai Son Temple (Son Lai Commune, Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province), a place of worship and commemoration of Princess Nhoi Hoa (Lao princess). Photo: BM
The road to Thuong Thai Son Temple is surrounded by lush green trees. The temple is located on a hilltop in the middle of a peaceful countryside with majestic mountains and hills.
Thuong Thai Son Temple faces southeast, was built during the Later Le Dynasty and has been restored many times. The temple is adjacent to the mountains locally called Hoe Vung Mountain (south), Mo Phuong Mountain (east), and Chon Ga Mountain (north).
Over the centuries, the temple and its Lao cultural characteristics have been preserved by the local people, becoming a beautiful cultural symbol of Vietnam-Laos friendship.
Thuong Thai Son Temple in Son Lai Commune (Nho Quan District, Ninh Binh Province) is a historical-cultural relic ranked at the provincial level by the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee in 2007. Photo: BM
The path to the Upper Temple, where Princess Nhoi Hoa is worshiped, is surrounded by lush green trees. Photo: BM
Princess Nhoi Hoa Temple, symbol of Vietnam-Laos friendship. Photo: BM
Along with the name Thuong Temple, the locals also respectfully call the temple of Princess Nhoi Hoa the Temple of Lady Hoa, the Temple of Mother Goddess.
Every year, on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, local people hold a festival with traditional cultural and artistic activities. Among them, there is a dance and song in the Cham Pa style (traditional dance and song of Laos) to commemorate the merits of Princess Nhoi Hoa.
Princess trains elephants for Dai Viet
According to old historical records, in the 15th century, during the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, there was a Lao princess, whose Vietnamese name was Nhoi Hoa, who, following her father's orders, brought several hundred elephants to help train the herd of elephants for Dai Viet to fight the enemy.
After completing the mission, on the way back to Laos, Princess Nhoi Hoa unfortunately fell ill and passed away in the Temple Hill area.
Princess Nhoi Hoa was the one who brought and trained elephants to help Vietnam fight the enemy. Photo: BM
The mausoleum of the Lao princess is located next to the temple. Photo: BM
The relic site still preserves many artifacts, royal decrees, and worship objects from the Nguyen Dynasty. Photo: BM
In recognition of the great contributions of Princess Nhoi Hoa, King Le Thanh Tong sent troops to build a mausoleum and a temple for the princess right there. The princess's resting place is in the area of Thai Son village, Son Lai commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province today.
The temple was built during the Later Le Dynasty, however, over the past hundreds of years, the relic has been largely lost and has been restored many times. Currently, the temple still preserves many artifacts, royal decrees, and worship objects from the Nguyen Dynasty.
The grounds of Thuong Thai Son Temple are located in Thai Son village (Son Lai commune, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province). Photo: BM
On April 11, 2024, the delegation of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Vietnam Kham-Phau An-Tha-Van came to offer incense and plant a souvenir tree at the historical site of Princess Nhoi Hoa Temple.
Mr. Tran Van Chuong - Chairman of Son Lai Commune People's Committee said: "Princess Nhoi Hoa Temple was recognized as a provincial historical relic in 2007. On the full moon and new moon days, local people clean the temple grounds and burn incense to worship and revere Princess Nhoi Hoa".
Source: https://danviet.vn/mot-cong-chua-nuoc-lao-giup-vua-le-thanh-tong-huan-luyen-voi-danh-giac-dan-den-tho-o-ninh-binh-20241021220103934.htm
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