Nguyen Huu Canh Temple in Dong Nai’s cultural and historical flow

Over 325 years of formation and development, the Tran Bien - Dong Nai region has consistently honored the contributions of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh. The relic of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh temple and tomb complex is not only a place of tribute to a revered predecessor but also a significant cultural and historical destination in Dong Nai.

The relic of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh Temple in Nhi Hoa neighborhood, Tran Bien ward. Photo: Tran Danh

The preservation and promotion of the relic value have received attention from authorities and local communities for many years. However, due to the passage of time, several items of its structures, including the Marquis’s tomb, have deteriorated, highlighting the need for restoration and conservation.

The forefather’s imprint on Tran Bien land

Tracing back more than 325 years ago, in the Year of the Tiger 1698, Commander in-Chief Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh, under the orders of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu, journeyed south to establish an administrative system, laying a solid foundation for what is now the Tran Bien – Dong Nai region. To commemorate his contributions, local residents built a temple and have preserved his tomb in Nhi Hoa neighborhood, Tran Bien ward.

The Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh temple and tomb complex was recognized as a national historical relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in 1991. The tomb, covering approximately 32.6 square meters, is located on a small hill about 50 meters east of the temple. Though modest in design, it maintains a solemn architectural character. The tomb faces southeast and features a screen wall and altar in front, enclosed by a fence system; behind it is a temple-roof-style screen with decorative elements such as floral motifs and lotus patterns.

Over time, and under the impact of prolonged exposure to sun and rain, some architectural components at the tomb site of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh have deteriorated. Specifically, the paint on the tomb has faded, and the surrounding walls have developed cracks. The cement-plastered ground within the site has become mossy and moldy. The brick fence is broken and cracked in many places; the front section has completely collapsed; and the iron and steel fence frames are rusted and damaged.

The tomb site of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh in Nhi Hoa quarter, Tran Bien ward. Photo: My Ny

Additionally, the tomb’s surrounding yard and pathways are uneven, leading to water accumulation and slipperiness during rain. The site currently lacks a lighting system, grass, or shade trees.

Nguyen Trung Cang, Head of the Ritual Board of the Nguyen Huu Canh temple and tomb relic, said that the relic has long served as an important cultural and spiritual center for local residents. During festivals, Tet, and the Marquis’s death anniversary, large numbers of visitors, both inside and outside the province, come to offer incense and pay tribute to Nguyen Huu Canh. Currently, several structures at the Marquis’s tomb have deteriorated. The Ritual Board has reported the situation to the Dong Nai Museum to propose restoration and renovation. However, as the site is recognized as a national relic, any restoration must strictly comply with the regulations of the Law on Cultural Heritage and other relevant laws.

To carry out the preparation of a restoration and renovation project for the relic site in accordance with regulations, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism submitted a request to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to confirm the deterioration of the relic as a basis for implementing subsequent steps. On March 2, the Ministry issued an official document confirming that several components of the site had deteriorated, thereby allowing the formulation of a project for the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of the relic in accordance with the 2024 Law on Cultural Heritage.

In this regard, the Ministry emphasized that the proposed plans for preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation must ensure the maximum conservation of the site’s original elements. At the same time, all proposed renovation and construction components must be reviewed to ensure their compatibility with the cultural landscape of the site. The management, protection, and promotion of the site’s value must comply with the provisions of the Law on Cultural Heritage, other relevant legal regulations, and the legitimate aspirations of the people.

Preserving and spreading heritage values

Within the cluster of national relics in Nhi Hoa quarter, Tran Bien ward, Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh temple and tomb complex holds an advantage as it is located along the same axis connecting Dai Giac Pagoda and Ong Pagoda. According to Nguyen Trung Cang, the recent expansion of the Dong Nai River embankment has contributed to creating a more open and accessible landscape, making it more convenient for residents and visitors to explore the sites.

“During Ky Yen Festival and other traditional celebrations, the ritual boards of communal houses and pagodas across the province - especially those within the same neighborhood - often engage in exchanges and mutual support. This connection goes beyond spiritual practices, forming a "value chain" that contributes to the development of cultural, historical, and spiritual tourism. When the management boards of heritage sites are united and closely connected, we can create a collective strength to preserve and promote cultural values,” Cang said.

Tran Trung Hieu, a resident of group 3, Nhi Hoa quarter, Tran Bien ward, who lives near the site, said, “The Temple of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh is a historical site closely associated with the spiritual and cultural life of local residents. I hope the relic site will be restored and renovated so that its structures are well-maintained, clean, and beautiful while always preserving their cultural identity. Moreover, the restoration and preservation of the site will help attract and better serve visitors from across the country who come to pay tribute to the Marquis.”

Notably, in 2025, the death anniversary of Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh was officially recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. This serves as an important impetus for the cultural sector and local authorities to promote and spread the values of the heritage within the community. Currently, the Dong Nai Museum has applied digital technology via the implementation of 360-degree virtual tours and QR codes at the site, enabling visitors to easily access comprehensive and vivid information about the relic.

According to Tran Quang Toai, a Master’s degree holder and Chairman of the Dong Nai Association of Historical Sciences, Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh made significant contributions to the southern expansion and the establishment of sovereignty over the Dong Nai – Gia Dinh region. The worship of the Marquis is practiced not only in Dong Nai but also in many other provinces and cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Quang Tri, etc. In this context, the cultural sector should coordinate with other localities to organize exchange activities and gatherings of ritual boards from communal houses during the Marquis’s death anniversary.

Amid the pace of modern life, Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh temple and tomb relic site continues to quietly preserve the memory of a heroic period of territorial expansion. The preservation and restoration of deteriorated structures are not only about safeguarding an architectural work but also about sustaining the continuity of history, allowing the heritage to live on in contemporary life and to spread its values to future generations.

By My Ny, Tran Danh – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha