If you visit the Bach Dang stake yard without reading the historical story beforehand, you might look down at the mud and wonder: “Is that all?”. But the value of this place lies in what the naked eye cannot fully see.

The Bach Dang historical relic site is currently a Special National Relic, and the 1288 Bach Dang stake yard became one of the clusters and locations under the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac World Cultural Heritage following UNESCO inscription in 2025.

Why are there stakes in the riverbed?

Studies at the Yen Giang stake yard have determined that this was part of the stake battlefield related to the 1288 Bach Dang victory; the area also includes other stake yards, creating a battlefield system broader than a single tourist site. Therefore, think of Bach Dang as a battle landscape:

  • Rivers.

  • River branches.

  • Tidal flats.

  • Stakes.

  • Terrain.

  • Tides.

  • Commemorative temples and shrines.

They complement one another.

Not just the stake yards

If you have time, your itinerary should combine multiple sites in the area instead of getting off the bus, looking at the stakes for 15 minutes, and leaving. The 2026 Bach Dang Festival space is concentrated around the Tran Hung Dao Temple, Vua Ba Shrine, and other sites within the relic complex. Touring in clusters helps you understand: how victory – memory – belief – community are connected.

Bach Dang Festival

The 2026 Bach Dang Traditional Festival is held from April 22 to 25, and the festival itself is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. Activities include sacrificial rituals, processions, and historical reenactment programs. If attending:

  • Do not crowd into the ritual procession.

  • Do not climb onto structures for a better view.

  • Do not touch, climb, or stand on the stakes.

  • Do not take anything from the relic site.

Do not reconstruct history with “internet legends”

When writing or retelling to children, distinguish between:

  • Officially introduced content.

  • Archaeological research findings.

  • Folk legends.

Do not turn an unverified detail into “historical truth”.

How to visit effectively

  1. Quickly read the history of the Battle of Bach Dang before your trip.

  2. Visit the exhibition area/guided spots first.

  3. Only then head out to the stake yard.

  4. Observe the river – tidal flat landscape.

  5. Conclude at an appropriate commemorative space.

Then, the wooden stakes will no longer be isolated objects.

Quick checklist

  • Read in advance about the year 1288.

  • Tour the relic sites in clusters.

  • Do not touch/climb on relics.

  • Do not pick up artifacts.

  • Respect temples and shrines in the area.

  • Distinguish history from legends.

  • Going with children → explain the context before arriving.