Historical Site: Giồng Thành Pagoda (Long Hưng Pagoda), Long Sơn Ward – Tân Châu Town

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        The historical site of Giồng Thành Pagoda, formerly located in Long Sơn Commune, Phú Tân District, is now in Long Sơn Ward, Tân Châu Town, 86 km from Long Xuyên City. From Long Xuyên, visitors can take National Highway 91 to Châu Đốc, cross the Châu Giang ferry, and follow the road towards Tân Châu Town to reach Phú Tân District. The site is 3 km from Tân Châu Town.
        Giồng Thành Pagoda (Long Hưng Pagoda) follows the Northern School of Buddhism, venerating Amitabha Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, Kṣitigarbha, Cundi, and other bodhisattvas. The pagoda's construction began in 1875 under the supervision of Venerable Trần Minh Lý. The pagoda is named Giồng Thành because it was built on a high mound and on the foundation of an old Nguyễn Dynasty fort that was used to resist invaders.
        Since 1875, Giồng Thành Pagoda has undergone numerous renovations, evolving from a simple structure of bamboo and leaves to the current brick foundation, lime-wash walls, and tile roof. The pagoda has become a well-maintained historical site, attracting visitors with its natural beauty.

        Giồng Thành Pagoda is built in Chinese character “囍” (/shuāngxǐ/ - Double Happiness), consisting of three sections: the main hall, the ancestral hall, and the lecture hall. The main hall and lecture hall each have three roofs, while the ancestral hall has two. The roofs are covered with hooked tiles, and the columns and beams are made of pyinkado wood (four columns), with brick columns painted with dragons in the main hall. The pagoda's windward side is built in the Indian style, with a two-tiered funnel-shaped tower on the front roof, and similar towers on both sides.

        In 1922, Long Sơn Commune hosted the Green and Yellow Factions of Phan Xích Long, attracting patriotic individuals who supported the struggle against French colonialists.
At Giồng Thành Pagoda, Venerable Nguyễn Văn Điền, who had progressive ideas and saw the oppression of the French colonialists and their collaborators, joined the Yellow Faction.
        In 1923, the patriotic activities from Giồng Thành Pagoda became increasingly vibrant under the guise of religious practices. The pagoda drew many visitors from near and far, allowing Venerable Điền to gather numerous patriotic Buddhists.

        Notably, Giồng Thành Pagoda was frequented by Nguyễn Sinh Sắc (father of President Hồ Chí Minh) during his patriotic activities from 1928-1929.
        Here, Junior Doctor Nguyễn Sinh Sắc spread the spirit of patriotism among the people of Long Sơn and An Giang, awakening their resistance against the French colonialists.

        His efforts had a significant impact on the local patriotic movement, which flourished under the Party's leadership, resulting in a vigorous revolutionary struggle.
        During the resistance against the Americans, Giồng Thành Pagoda served as a base for the Châu Đốc Provincial Party Committee and Tân Châu District Party Committee, and as a liaison point for Central Committee cadres in Southern Vietnam and Area 8.
        The historical site of Giồng Thành Pagoda was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information under Decision No. 235/VH-QĐ on December 12, 1986.

        To commemorate the 100th anniversary of President Hồ Chí Minh's birth (1890-1990), the Ministry of Culture and Information, in collaboration with local authorities, renovated the site, erected a monument to record historical events, and built an exhibition room displaying images, documents, and artifacts related to Junior Doctor Nguyễn Sinh Sắc. The access road to the site was also expanded. In 2011 and 2012, Giồng Thành Pagoda continued to be restored with funds from the National Target Program. Every year on May 19, the local government organizes festivals to celebrate President Hồ Chí Minh's birthday, featuring activities such as meetings, cultural performances, sports, and traditional games, creating a lively atmosphere that attracts many locals to the celebration.