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Historical Site: Trần Văn Thành Temple, Thạnh Mỹ Tây Commune – Châu Phú District

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        The historical site of Trần Văn Thành Temple is located in Thạnh Mỹ Tây Commune, Châu Phú District, An Giang Province, situated in the middle of Láng Linh field, on the bank of Vịnh Tre Canal (Tri Tôn Canal). It is approximately 50 km from Long Xuyên City:
        - From Long Xuyên, follow National Highway 91 for 39 km towards Châu Đốc, reaching Vịnh Tre Canal.
        - From Vịnh Tre Canal, take Provincial Road 945 to Trần Văn Thành Temple, about 11 km.
        The Trần Văn Thành Temple was built in 1897 by Trần Văn Nhu, the eldest son of Trần Văn Thành. It commemorates Battalion Commander Trần Văn Thành, the leader of the Láng Linh – Bảy Thưa uprising (1867 - 1873), who died heroically in a fierce battle against the French colonizers. It also served as a gathering place for the followers of the Bửu Sơn Kỳ Hương religion to wait for an opportunity to fight the French.
        Battalion Commander Trần Văn Thành was from Bình Phú Hamlet, Bình Thạnh Đông Commune, Phú Tân District, An Giang Province (formerly Châu Phú District, An Giang Province). His birth year is not recorded in history books or family genealogies, but based on his activities and historical events, he is estimated to have been born during the late Gia Long reign (1816 - 1818).

        Born into a well-off middle-class family, Trần Văn Thành was educated in Chinese characters. He was intelligent, quick to learn, and was later taught martial arts by a tutor hired by his father. This training was intended for self-defense and to aid good people. He was known for his calm, brave demeanor and firm resolve. He had a generous heart, was loyal, compassionate to subordinates, and helped and protected the poor and lonely.
        In 1938, Nguyễn Văn Tịnh, a follower of Bửu Sơn Kỳ Hương, rebuilt the temple at the original site with a tiled roof and brick walls, making it spacious and dignified.

        During the resistance against the French colonizers, the temple served as a revolutionary base for Thạnh Mỹ Tây Commune. In 1947, revolutionaries from Trần Văn Thành Temple attacked and eliminated a nearby French outpost (located 200m from the temple). In retaliation, the French burned the temple again in 1948, leaving only four columns in the main hall. In 1952, local people contributed money and labor to rebuild the temple for the third time, maintaining it to the present day.

        From 1955 to 1975, the temple continued to serve as a revolutionary base for the commune, providing shelter, supplies, and communication for our cadres. Many former cadres from Châu Phú District were closely associated with this place.The temple hosts three annual festivals according to the lunar calendar: the first full moon, the seventh full moon, and the tenth full moon, also known as the upper, middle, and lower full moons. Additionally, two major commemorations are held:
        - February 20-22 (lunar calendar): to commemorate the day Battalion Commander Trần Văn Thành died.
        - May 5 (lunar calendar): to commemorate the death of Trần Văn Thành’s wife.

        These festivals continue to be well-maintained and organized, attracting a large number of visitors and pilgrims. The historical site of Trần Văn Thành Temple was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information under Decision No. 235/VH-QĐ on December 12, 1986.

Author: admin

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