Background information on Den Mo Temple

[Kien Pham]

Hello Friends:

A few of you have asked me for background information on the Temple at the outskirts of Hai Phong city, where my Phamily clan came from and of which my grandfather rebuilt after the French war in 1954. 

I was very happy that I was able to share that complicated part of my Phamily history in Northern Vietnam where village members killed each other in the name of revolution and independence. 

Enjoy the reading below. You were probably the first visitors allowed to enter the inner sanctuary of the temple to pray in front of the statue of the Princess.

Best, kp

Background information on Den Mo Temple:

a. Highlights of Den Mo:

Den Mo, located in Ngu Phuc commune, Kien Thuy district,  Hai Phong city, was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic by the state in 1992. 

The giant red cotton tree, planted in 1284 in Den Mo was recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records as the oldest red cotton tree in Vietnam.

b. The story of the birth of Den Mo:

The Tran’s dynasty records that Princess Quynh Tran was the daughter of King Tran Thanh Tong - a benevolent king who valued kindness and deeply respected Buddhism. As she grew up, her beauty was significant, and her presence was as radiant as a blooming flower under the moonlight. With her innate compassion and noble heart, she wished to escape the mundane world and asked her father for permission to become a Buddhist nun. In the year of Quy Mui - 1283, during a visit to Nghi Duong commune, Kien Mon district, she found the place resembling a flying bird, with vast mountains, rivers, and serene scenery. This place had a strange attraction that led her to leave the royal family, dedicating herself to "cultivate the path of compassion with all her intellect for fruitful blessings". She established a farmstead, provided food, money, taught the people to cultivate the land, sow seeds, nurture saplings, and grow mulberry trees for silk weaving. Everyone lived happily as if in a perpetual spring.

To manage the daily affairs of the community, the Princess devised a method using the sound of a wooden bell (Mõ) as a signal to coordinate work. This practice gave rise to the names "Tổng Mõ, Chợ Mõ, Đền Mõ, and Chùa Mõ", entering into legend and becoming deeply associated with the land and its people. During the years of national crisis when the Nguyen, Mong invaders attacked, the Princess demonstrated her complete strategic talents. With her love for the homeland, she gathered soldiers, trained the army, and amassed food supplies to assist her father in repelling the invaders, contributing to the nation's glorious history.

After the Princess passed away, the local people built a temple in her memory, continuing to offer incense in gratitude. The temple complex still retains 11 royal decrees from various dynasties recognizing the Princess's virtues and contributions (from King Tran Anh Tong in 1314 to Khai Dinn 1924). Notably, the temple also has a giant red cotton tree planted by the Princess herself in 1284, with bright red flowers and lush foliage, symbolizing her sacred legacy. This tree is also recognized as the oldest red cotton tree in Vietnam.

c. Architecture of Den Mo:

Den Mo occupies an area of 12,700 m2. The entrance is a narrow path leading through the main gate. Following the main gate axis straight ahead is the front hall, flanked by two 5-section dance halls on each side. The temple's architecture includes three buildings arranged in a "front single, back T-shaped" layout, consisting of a 5-section front hall, a 5-section main hall , and a 2-section rear palace shaped like a plow handle. The buildings are closely connected, giving the temple a solemn and serene appearance. The front hall is built in a "returning wall with three-tiered pillars" style. The three central sections of the front hall have a system of solid and beautiful Lim wood doors. A statue of Princess Quynh Tran is placed in a shrine in the rear palace, the most solemn part of the temple.

END.

 

Kien Pham
Imperfect Servant of the People
VN Mobile and WhatsApp: +84-98-5656-566

"You make a living by what you get and a life by what you give"

Sorry if you see typos.  This email comes from a blind man on mobile device!

[Janice Stanton]

Thank you for sharing this and for welcoming us. Chills when I think of the recounting of your family story. And very appreciative of the deep history of this Temple. I remain so appreciative of GSB III. 

Sent from my iphone

On Mar 2, 2026, at 2:20 AM, Kien Pham <Kien...@neverchange.com> wrote:



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