The Bach Dang Victory historical complex, located in Quang Yen Town, Uong Bi City, commemorates Tran Hung Dao’s resounding victory over the Mongol-Yuan army in 1288.
Bach Dang Victory Historical Site – Where Glorious Pages of History Were Written
Bach Dang Victory Historical Site in 1288
The Bach Dang Victory historical site comprises the Tran Hung Dao Temple, the Ba Chua Shrine, the Rung Ferry Terminal, Yen Giang Communal House, Trung Coc Temple, Trung Ban Communal House, Den Cong Communal House, and the Yen Giang, Dong Van Muoi, and Dong Ma Ngua stake fields.
In addition to several tangible cultural heritages, the site also preserves many valuable forms of intangible cultural heritage. With its exceptional historical, cultural, and scientific values, the Bach Dang Victory historical site of 1288 was recognized as a special National Monument in 2012.
Ba Chua Shrine. Photo: truyenhinhdulich.
Folk tradition tells of a woman who ran a tea stall and informed Tran Hung Dao about the tidal characteristics of the Bach Dang River so that he could arrange the stake field (Ba Chua Shrine); the place where Tran Hung Dao leaned on his sword and tied up his hair to command his soldiers (Trung Ban Communal House); the place where Tran Hung Dao and Pham Ngu Lao ran aground while inspecting the battlefield (Trung Coc Temple); and the place where Tran Hung Dao named the village Den Cong to thank the four deities who devised a plan to defeat the enemy (Den Cong Communal House).
Rung Ferry Terminal. Photo: truyenhinhdulich.
Exactly 670 years after the Bach Dang victory of 1288, in November 1958, the Yen Giang stake field was discovered. Excavations uncovered hundreds of ironwood and tau wood stakes measuring 2.6–2.8 m in length and 20–30 cm in diameter. The upper sections of the stakes, up to 1 m long, were whittled to a point so they could be driven straight into the river.
Several excavation campaigns were also conducted here in 1969, 1976, 1984, and 1988… During the 1984 excavation, experts also found two wooden stake-driving mallets.
The two Gieng Rung ironwood trees – remnants of the place where the army obtained wood to build the stakes. Photo: truyenhinhdulich.
In 2005, the Dong Van Muoi stake field was excavated, located several kilometers from the Yen Giang field. It is 100 m wide and 300 m long. The stakes here have small diameters, measuring only 10–30 cm, but were planted at a very dense spacing, approximately 60 cm apart.
In 2009, the third stake field, Dong Ma Ngua, was discovered and excavated in 2010, 2011, and 2012. This stake field is 70 m long and 30 m wide; its stakes are small but were also planted densely.
Stake field. Photo: quangninh.gov.vn.
Based on historical records, scientists determined that the three stake fields are the surviving sections of the stake battlefield from the Bach Dang victory of 1288. Many stake samples were analyzed using C14 radioactive isotope dating to determine their age, producing results dating them to the 13th century, which corresponds to the time of the victory.
Remaining traces of the stake field. Photo: VnExpress.
In addition to the evidence provided by the stakes beneath the ground, the area also preserves dozens of communal houses, temples, pagodas, and shrines related to the Bach Dang victory of 1288. Each structure is steeped in the echoes of that historic battle.
Yen Giang stake field. Photo: quangninh.gov.
Bach Dang Festival
The Bach Dang Festival, also known as the battle anniversary, is held annually from the 6th to the 9th day of the third lunar month. In some years, it lasts for four days and nights, expressing gratitude to the heroes associated with the historic Bach Dang River during the years 938 and 1288.
The procession of the statue of Duc Thanh Tran during the festival. Photo: Long Giang.
The festival takes place at the Bach Dang Victory historical site complex with the main venues being the Tran Hung Dao Temple, Ba Chua Shrine, and Yen Giang Communal House at the heart of the festival.
Bach Dang Festival. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
After the incense-offering ceremony and the drumbeats marking the opening of the festival, the most eagerly awaited procession of the statue of Duc Thanh Tran Hung Dao takes place. Dozens of groups carrying carefully prepared offering trays join the procession from Tran Hung Dao Temple to Yen Giang Communal House. Residents along both sides of the road also prepare ceremonial feasts to offer to Duc Thanh Tran as an expression of their gratitude.
The procession during the festival. Photo: Long Giang.
The statue of Tran Hung Dao at Trung Ban Communal House. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The traditional Bach Dang Festival is carefully and solemnly organized according to traditional rites to honor and affirm the historical significance and value of the Bach Dang victory in the struggle against foreign invaders.
Trung Coc Temple. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Through this, the festival also awakens national pride and educates people about historical traditions. It is also a cultural tourism promotion activity that attracts visitors, contributing to the goal of bringing an increasing number of tourists to Quang Ninh Province.
Den Cong Communal House. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The Bach Dang Victory historical site and Bach Dang Festival play a very important role in preserving priceless historical values. Visit the site during your trip to Quang Ninh to learn more about the history of a heroic nation!
