The relic of Trong Pagoda (commonly known as Hung Long Tu) in Hung Long Commune, Ninh Giang District, Hai Duong Province is the place to worship Minh Khong Zen Master Nguyen Chi Thanh - a high monk of the Ly Dynasty. Trong Pagoda was built around the 11th century, under the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong (1010 - 1225) and was restored and embellished during the Later Le Dynasty.
Trong Pagoda was built in the "Inner public, outer private" architecture, consisting of many constructions with different roof layers. The constructions were built according to the traditional principles of symmetry and balance on an area of nearly 8,000 square meters.
Through the ups and downs of history and time, until now, Trong Pagoda still retains its unique and sophisticated architectural features, from the 4-storey triple gate in the "stacked, ancient" style consisting of 2 large gates (East gate and West gate).
Connecting the two gates is a gate, right after the main gate is a large yard leading to Trong Pagoda with a "Dinh" (J) shaped architecture consisting of 5 front rooms and 2 upper rooms. Symmetrically on both sides of the pagoda are 2 gates (temples) to worship the ancestors, coaxial with the East and West gates of the main gate.
Next is the ancestral temple, a construction in the "first in the front, then in the back" style made of wood and reinforced concrete, including 5 front rooms, 5 middle rooms and 3 back rooms.
In early 1947, implementing the Party's policy of "Scorched earth resistance" against the French, the Resistance Administrative Committee of Hung Long commune demolished the Trong temple and pagoda relics. Accordingly, all the relics were dismantled, and the worship objects were scattered. Only the statue of Zen Master Minh Khong was carefully preserved and the Tam Quan gate on the left was still preserved. Trong Pagoda was also the headquarters of the Viet Minh, a place to hide revolutionary cadres and a meeting place for many resistance organizations in the commune and district.
With its special architectural and historical features, Trong Pagoda was ranked as a national architectural and artistic monument in 2002.
According to Mr. Bui Trac Nghien - Chairman of Hung Long Commune People's Committee, with 1,000 years of history, Trong Pagoda has become a typical symbol of local spiritual culture. Hung Long Commune People's Committee regularly uses the media to promote the beauty and history of Trong Pagoda to tourists from all over.
Every year, Trong Pagoda organizes a festival lasting from the 15th to the 26th of the third lunar month with many different ceremonies, including three important ceremonies: Water procession ceremony (March 15); East-West exit ceremony (March 20) and Saint's ascension to heaven ceremony (March 26). The festival attracts a large number of people and tourists to participate.
