Exploring Four Sites Newly Recognized as Special National Monuments

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Unique domed architecture of Co Le Pagoda. (Photo: Bich Hang/Vietnam+)

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has just signed Decision No. 1959/QD-TTg dated September 11, 2025, on the classification of special national monuments (18th phase, 2025) for the four sites.

The four sites recognized this time include: the Historical Site of the Tomb of Vice-Chancellor Nguyen Sinh Sac, Cao Lanh Ward, Dong Thap Province; the Historical Site of Locations Marking the Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Movement (1930-1931) in Nghe An; the Scenic and Archaeological Complex of Tam Chuc, Tam Chuc Ward, Ninh Binh Province; and the Historical, Architectural, and Artistic Site of Co Le Pagoda, Co Le Commune, Ninh Binh Province.

Tomb of Vice-Chancellor Nguyen Sinh Sac. (Source: Dong Thap Provincial E-Portal)

The Historical Site of the Tomb of Vice-Chancellor Nguyen Sinh Sac is located at 137 Pham Huu Lau Street, Cao Lanh Ward, Dong Thap Province. This is the final resting place of Vice-Chancellor Nguyen Sinh Sac (1862-1929), a patriotic Confucian scholar and the father of President Ho Chi Minh.

Nguyen Sinh Sac was born and raised in Nam Dan, Nghe An Province. In the year Tan Suu (1901), he passed the Vice-Chancellor examination and in 1906 assumed the post of “Thua bien Bo Le” (Assistant Minister of Rites), later serving as District Chief of Binh Khe (Binh Dinh). During his tenure as a mandarin, he consistently sided with the poor, punished corrupt local tyrants, and after a short period was dismissed by the Nguyen Dynasty court. After being dismissed, he moved to the South and settled in Hoa An Village, Dong Thap Province, where he taught, practiced medicine to help the poor, and lived a humble, upright life until his passing.

To commemorate his contributions, the government and people of Dong Thap built the Nguyen Sinh Sac Mausoleum complex, allowing visitors from inside and outside the province to pay their respects. The construction was completed in 1977 and was recognized as a National Historical Site in 1992.

The site covers 10 hectares, designed as a harmonious architectural complex bearing the cultural and ecological imprint of Dong Thap, with a combination of traditional and modern features.

The complex is divided into four areas: the tomb, the temple and exhibition house displaying the life and career of Nguyen Sinh Sac; the stilt house of Ho Chi Minh and a fishpond; the cultural space recreating the old Hoa An Village; and the area for folk games and entertainment.

The tomb faces east and is designed as a stylized lotus petal in the shape of an open downward-facing hand. On top are nine stylized dragons reaching outward, symbolizing the people of the Mekong Delta protecting and embracing the tomb of the patriotic scholar. In front of the tomb is a five-pointed star-shaped lotus pond, with a white stylized lotus pedestal 6.5 meters high in the center, symbolizing the pure life of Vice-Chancellor Nguyen Sinh Sac.

Graves of Xo Viet Nghe Tinh martyrs who died on September 12, 1930, in Thai Lao, Hung Nguyen. (Source: Nghe An Provincial E-Portal)

The Historical Site of Locations Marking the Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Movement (1930-1931) in Nghe An is a complex of nine sites closely linked to the heroic milestones of the Xo Viet Nghe Tinh movement.

This complex includes:

- Ben Thuy T-junction: The site of workers’ and peasants’ protests on May 1, 1930 (then part of Yen Dung Ha Village, Yen Truong Canton, Vinh - Ben Thuy Town; today located in Truong Vinh Ward, Nghe An Province).

- Vo Liet Communal House: Headquarters of the Soviet-style administration during the 1930-1931 movement (then located in Vo Liet Commune, Vo Liet Canton, Thanh Chuong District, Anh Son Prefecture; today in Kim Bang Commune, Nghe An Province).

- Site of the French massacre of protesters on September 12, 1930 (then in Thai Lao Commune, Hung Nguyen District, Hung Nguyen Prefecture; today in Hung Nguyen Commune, Nghe An Province).

- Cemetery of Xo Viet Nghe Tinh martyrs who died on November 7, 1930 (then in Tien Ly Commune, Dien Chau District, Dien Chau Prefecture; today in Dien Chau Commune, Nghe An Province).

- Execution site of 72 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh fighters (then in Van Doi Commune, Van Tu Canton, Dong Thanh District, Dien Chau Prefecture; today in Van Tu Commune, Nghe An Province).

- Tam Mai Communal House (then in Quynh Thuan Commune, Quynh Luu District, Dien Chau Prefecture, Nghe An Province; today in Quynh Phu Commune, Nghe An Province).

- Trung Communal House (then in Yen Dung Thuong Village, Hung Nguyen District, Hung Nguyen Prefecture; today in Truong Vinh Ward, Nghe An Province).

- Luong Son Communal House: site of the Soviet-style administration’s founding in 1930-1931 (then in Luong Son Village, Dang Son Canton, Luong Son District, Anh Son Prefecture; today in Do Luong Commune, Nghe An Province).

- Revolutionary base of the 1931 Xo Viet Nghe Tinh period - house of Vi Van Khang (then in Qua Hamlet, Mon Son Commune, Con Cuong District, Tuong Duong Prefecture, Nghe An Province; today in Mon Son Commune, Nghe An Province).

The Tam Chuc Scenic Complex, recognized as a national site, is classified as a scenic landscape. (Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

The Scenic and Archaeological Complex of Tam Chuc in Ninh Binh covers 5,000 hectares. Its location borders Hanoi, Phu Tho, and Ninh Binh. Surrounding the complex are other state-recognized national sites such as Lat Son Base, Bat Canh Son Scenic Area, Ba Danh Pagoda - Ngoc Mountain, and Truc Temple - Ngu Dong Son.

Archaeological research indicates that Tam Chuc was one of the earliest settlement areas of ancient Vietnamese, influenced by the Hoa Binh culture from 10,000 to 30,000 years ago.

The site preserves archaeological relics, remains, and legends reflecting the development of indigenous Vietnamese beliefs through various historical dynasties.

Key landmarks within Tam Chuc include Tam Chuc Communal House, the ancient Tam Chuc Pagoda, Mau Temple, and Gieng Temple. Tam Chuc - Ba Sao is an ancient land formed millions of years ago.

The complex features a flooded limestone mountain area with dozens of caves, rock shelters, Catte wells, and islets, which are valuable not only for tourism and landscape but also for archaeology.

The area is home to a rare population of 100 white-shanked douc langurs, as well as fish, moorhens, herons, and storks; and was inhabited by ancient Vietnamese 10,000 to 30,000 years ago.

In addition to its tangible heritage, Tam Chuc also preserves rich intangible cultural values, including the Tam Chuc Pagoda Festival, many folktales, legends, folk performances, and unique rituals and beliefs, contributing to the study of Vietnamese spiritual and cultural life throughout history.

The Great Bell weighing over 9 tons located in the pond of Co Le Pagoda. (Photo: Bich Hang/Vietnam+)

The Historical, Architectural, and Artistic Site of Co Le Pagoda in Ninh Binh has a long history, associated with the legend of Zen master Nguyen Minh Khong, the national teacher of the Ly Dynasty, renowned for his medical knowledge and spiritual virtue.

The name “Co Le” evokes ancient origins and is a sacred symbol of the spiritual culture of the Red River Delta region. Located on a nearly 10-mau (North Vietnam unit) square plot, Co Le Pagoda is a Buddhist architectural and cultural site built in the 12th century, during the reign of King Ly Than Tong, to worship the Buddha and Saint Nguyen Minh Khong.

Beyond being a place of spiritual practice, Co Le Pagoda is a living witness of the nation’s history, where religion and life, past and present, converge along with unique architectural and spiritual-cultural features of the Vietnamese people.

What makes Co Le Pagoda unique is its architecture, unlike any other ancient pagoda in Vietnam. Originally built of wood, the pagoda deteriorated over time due to weather and age.

In 1902, the First Patriarch Pham Quang Tuyen became abbot and restored the pagoda, reconstructing it in the “Nhat Thoc Lau Dai” architectural style - blending Eastern spirit with Western Gothic elements. As a result, Co Le Pagoda, although a Buddhist temple, has the appearance of a Christian cathedral, with arched doors, tall pillars, stained glass windows, and ornate decorations.

The highlight of Co Le Pagoda’s architecture is the Cuu Pham Lien Hoa tower, a multi-tiered structure rising toward the sky, a hallmark of Buddhist architecture. The tower is 32 meters tall, formed by nine interconnected lotus tiers, symbolizing the “nine heavens” of Buddhist belief.

In addition to its unique domed architecture, the pagoda also houses a 9-ton bell located in the pond in front of the main hall. Co Le Pagoda is not only of historical and cultural value but also a spiritual center closely tied to the lives of generations of people in Ninh Binh.

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