Visiting a 400-year-old relic in the homeland of the Mac Dynasty

The Mac family temple is located in Co Trai village, Ngu Doan commune (now Kien Hung commune), Kien Thuy district, Hai Phong. This is a famous historical site, recorded in history books as the birthplace of the Mac family. Coming from a fishing family, Mac Dang Dung - a native of Co Trai village - rose from the position of a guard to ascending the throne and establishing the Mac dynasty. The Mac dynasty played an important role in Vietnamese history, famous for its strong control and creativity in national management. After a period of prosperity, the Mac dynasty collapsed under pressure from the Le - Trinh dynasty. The palaces and temples of the Mac family in Co Trai were completely razed, leaving only traces and memories.

Due to historical events, the Mac family's ancestral temple has gone through more than 400 years, the only original structure worshiping Mac Thai To and Mac Thai Tong still preserved in this sacred land of talented people, was built by the descendants of Mac Co Trai and local people more than 100 years ago. The ancestral temple is currently of moderate scale in the architectural style of the Nguyen Dynasty, facing the West, arranged in the shape of the letter "nhat" including 3 compartments, 4 trusses made of ironwood; the roof truss structure is in the style of "ke chong - gia gong". The carvings on the wooden architecture are all clear, with strong lines.

The relic still preserves many artifacts made of ceramic, porcelain, wood, steles, sacrificial objects... related to the worship and commemoration of the kings of the Mac dynasty.

Trong do phai ke den cac hien vat nhu ngai an, bai vi, long ngai; nhang an duoc trang tri ho phu, phuong ham thu, long ma, cung cac mang cham noi hoa tiet hoa day. Bo tam su duoc lam tu chat lieu dong duc cung sap tho co; gia chieng...

These include artifacts such as thrones, tablets, dragon thrones; incense altars decorated with tiger talismans, phoenixes, dragon horses, and embossed panels with floral motifs. The trio is made of cast bronze with an ancient altar; gong stand...

Trong khuon vien di tich con co den Thanh Mau.

Within the relic site there is also a temple of the Holy Mother.

The crescent-shaped lake in front of the ancestral temple creates a harmonious landscape for the relic. For local people, this ancestral temple is not only a cultural symbol but also a place closely associated with the tradition and history of the Mac family.

With its material, spiritual and artistic values, the Mac family temple in Co Trai village was recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Information as a National Historical Relic in Decision No. 24/2002/QD-BVHTT dated September 17, 2002.

Every year, on the 22nd day of the 8th lunar month, Mac descendants return to Co Trai land to offer incense at the ancestral temple, thereby commemorating the merits of the Mac dynasty kings and demonstrating the nation's tradition of remembering the source of water.

The Mac Dynasty Temple is also the venue for the Traditional Wrestling Festival of the Mac Dynasty. The festival is organized to inherit and continue the unique folk festival that was initiated and taught by Emperor Mac Dang Dung 5 centuries ago. This year's festival will be held from February 8-10, 2025 (ie January 11-13, At Ty year), promising to attract thousands of people and tourists to watch.