The Tran Dynasty Historical Relic Site in Dong Trieu is located in the communes of An Sinh, Trang An, Binh Khe, and Thuy An. Currently, this is the relic site that preserves the most imprints of the illustrious Tran Dynasty.
The Tran Dynasty Historical Relic Site in Dong Trieu – Where an Illustrious Dynasty Left Its Mark
In the year of At Dau (1225), Ly Chieu Hoang abdicated the throne in favor of her husband Tran Canh, marking the transfer of power from the Ly Dynasty to the Tran Dynasty. From this point, the Tran Dynasty ruled the country for 175 years across 12 reigns, establishing one of the most illustrious dynasties in the nation's history.
Thai Mieu (Royal Ancestral Temple). Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
The Tran Dynasty (1225–1400), renowned for its military feats and civil governance, opened a glorious era in the history of national construction and defense. According to historical records, the Dong Trieu region was the initial settlement land of the Tran clan. Later, this land was granted by King Tran Thai Tong to his elder brother Tran Lieu as a fief.
Thai Mausoleum. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
For every reigning dynasty, two matters were of paramount concern: yang dwelling, the land chosen to establish the capital, and yin dwelling, the resting place for ancestral temples and imperial mausoleums. While Thang Long continued to be chosen as the imperial capital, the Tran Dynasty also built and developed two cultural centers and two mountain mausoleum complexes to the east and south of the citadel.
Relic site entrance gate. Photo: World & Vietnam Report.
Many researchers have recognized Dong Trieu as a major cultural and religious center, alongside Thang Long – the political and economic center, and Thien Truong - Long Hung, the birthplace and ancestral home of the Tran Dynasty.
An Sinh Temple. Photo: Grand Fleuve Boutique.
The ancient name of Dong Trieu was An Sinh; it was not renamed until the reign of King Tran Du Tong, and has now become the current Tran Dynasty historical relic site. This is a special national relic site comprising royal tombs, temples, pagodas, and stupa hermitages across 14 sprawling monuments. It is a sacred land deeply imbued with historical and cultural spirit, serving as the ancestral homeland of the Tran Dynasty.
Ngoa Van Hermitage. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
From the 13th century, the Tran Dynasty built the Thai Mieu to worship the Three Ancestors of the Tran clan, making it the most important relic site. By the end of the 14th century, many tombs of the Tran kings were relocated to Dong Trieu.
Main hall of An Sinh Temple. Photo: nhatranodongtrieu.
The Tran Dynasty historical relic site consists of three groups: communal shrines and temples, royal tombs and mausoleums, and pagodas and stupas. The temples, shrines, and mausoleums are closely associated with the ancestral worship of the Tran Dynasty.
Stupa of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong at Ngoa Van hermitage - pagoda. Photo: Quang Ninh Museum.
Along with building mausoleums, the Tran Dynasty also constructed temples and shrines to worship predecessor emperors, and numerous pagodas sprang up accordingly. However, at that time, Dong Trieu only served as a mountain mausoleum area and had not yet become the Buddhist center of Dai Viet.
Ho Thien Pagoda stupa. Photo: Quang Ninh Museum.
It was not until King Tran Nhan Tong renounced worldly life to practice asceticism on Mount Yen Tu and founded the Truc Lam Zen sect. He unified the pre-existing Zen sects and the entire Buddhist Sangha of the Tran Dynasty under one fold.
Stone statues of court attendants and mythical beasts at Ngai Son Mausoleum. Photo: Quang Ninh Museum.
During this period, Dong Trieu became an important Buddhist center. Tran Dynasty kings commissioned a dense system of temples, shrines, mausoleums, and pagodas built here across an expansive landscape stretching all the way to the slopes of Mount Yen Tu.
Stone stupa garden of Quynh Lam Pagoda. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Ngoa Van Ho Thien Pagoda was where King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong took the rostrum to preach the Dharma, and was also closely associated with the propagation of Buddhism in Dai Viet, training monks at higher levels.
Sinh Temple, where eight Tran kings are worshipped. Photo: Hai Ninh.
At Ho Thien Pagoda, there is also a 7-story stone stupa whose architecture remains a mystery to researchers to this day, attracting many researchers and history enthusiasts from everywhere to visit and study.
The ancient stupa at Thong Dan. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Quynh Lam Pagoda is considered Vietnam's first Buddhist university, possessing a Buddha statue that was one of the Four Great Treasures of An Nam. The stupa garden in the pagoda and the stone tomb stupas of Zen masters feature unique architecture, standing as an exemplary cultural heritage not only of Quang Ninh Province but of all Vietnam.
Thai Mausoleum at Trai Loc Lake. Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper.
Through the passage of time, the ravages of natural disasters, and the devastation of war, many ancient structures in the Tran Dynasty historical relic site in Dong Trieu have been reduced to ruins. Nevertheless, in the hearts of the people, those ruins still retain their full value.
Gold lotus flower box artifact. Photo: dongtrieu.edu.
Ancient An Sinh, modern-day Dong Trieu, is where the Tran kings embodied the Vietnamese people's philosophy of 'falling leaves return to their roots.' What still remains visible as well as what lies buried underground is a timeless heritage that not only holds historical value for a renowned dynasty, but also stands as testament to the 700-year existence of a purely Vietnamese Buddhism.
Ngai Son Mausoleum, the burial place of King Tran Hien Tong. Photo: dongtrieu.edu.
Now, through archaeological efforts, the structure, scale, and appearance of these important historical relics have gradually been brought to light. Ancient relics carrying an entire glorious era are gradually re-emerging at the Tran Dynasty historical relic site in Dong Trieu.
