Temple of Đức Thánh Phó Hưng Hiến Đại Vương Trần Quốc Uất – A Trần Dynasty Legacy on the Trùng Khánh Border
Right in the heart of Trùng Khánh, along the main road, stands a temple that has recently been restored to a neat, well-kept condition. This is the Temple of Đức Thánh Phó Hưng Hiến Đại Vương Trần Quốc Uất, son of Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn (the revered general also known as Trần Hưng Đạo). For followers of the Đức Thánh Trần worship tradition, this is a particularly meaningful pilgrimage site, as ritual chants (văn chầu) and folk tradition hold that Cao Bằng was once the land he was tasked with defending.
Where Is the Temple?
The temple sits in the center of Trùng Khánh, right on the main road, in what is now Trùng Khánh commune, Cao Bằng province.
The temple is usually closed on regular weekdays. Before visiting, it’s best to call the caretaker (the phone number is listed on Google Maps) or ask a local resident to help you get in touch so the gates can be opened for you.
Who Is Đức Thánh Phó?
In the Đức Thánh Trần worship tradition, the four sons of Hưng Đạo Đại Vương are venerated together as the Tứ Vị Vương Tử (Four Princes): Đức Thánh Cả Hưng Vũ Vương Trần Quốc Nghiễn, Đức Thánh Phó Hưng Hiến Vương Trần Quốc Uất, Đức Thánh Tam Hưng Nhượng Vương Trần Quốc Tảng, and Đức Thánh Tứ Hưng Trí Vương Trần Quốc Hiện.
According to worship-tradition records, Hưng Hiến Đại Vương Trần Quốc Uất was the second son of Đức Thánh Trần. After distinguishing himself in the resistance wars against the Mongol-Yuan invaders, he was granted a royal mandate to defend the land of Cao Bằng and was titled Hưng Hiến Vương.
The ritual chant dedicated to Đức Thánh Phó also recounts how he stationed troops to guard the border region of Cao Bằng. For this reason, mediums (hầu đồng practitioners) often associate him with the northern frontier, and his temple in Cao Bằng holds special significance for followers of Đạo Mẫu (Mother Goddess worship) and the Đức Thánh Trần tradition.
Besides Cao Bằng, he is also co-worshipped at many sites linked to the Trần dynasty. At Kiếp Bạc Temple, the Trung Từ (Middle Shrine) is dedicated to the four princes, including Hưng Hiến Vương. In Hà Nội, Sơn Hải Temple likewise honors the four sons of Trần Hưng Đạo.
A note on sources: The birth order, titles, and ranks of Trần Hưng Đạo’s sons are recorded differently across official histories and worship-tradition texts. His role in defending Cao Bằng is documented mainly through ritual chants and oral folk tradition rather than official records.
The Temple Today
The temple has been restored and renovated, now featuring a spacious, clean, and solemn setting. Visitors from afar often speak of the dedication of the caretaker. Some groups have traveled hundreds of kilometers and arrived in the middle of the night, yet still found the gates opened for them, along with food and offerings prepared. It is this warmth and devotion that makes many visitors want to return.
For many, the journey here is a spiritual pilgrimage to honor Đức Thánh and pray for their family’s well-being. Not a few have been moved to tears standing before his altar in this remote border region.
Visiting Etiquette
- Call ahead: Contact the caretaker before arriving, as the temple is usually closed.
- Dress code: Wear modest, respectful clothing — this is a solemn place of worship.
- Offerings: Bring offerings according to your means. If you’re unsure how to arrange them, ask the caretaker for guidance.
- Conduct: Keep quiet inside the temple, and ask permission before photographing the altar.
- Show gratitude to the caretaker: The caretaker is often extremely attentive to visitors from afar. A word of thanks or a small voluntary donation is a fitting way to show appreciation.
Nearby Sights in Trùng Khánh
Since the temple sits right in the center of Trùng Khánh, it’s easy to combine a visit with other stops on your eastern Cao Bằng itinerary. Consider adding:
- Miếu Long Vương (Thông Huề town): an ancient shrine beside the Bắc Vọng River, known for its leap-year lantern festival.
- Trùng Khánh Market: a great place to pick up hạt dẻ Trùng Khánh (Trùng Khánh chestnuts), the region’s famous autumn specialty.
The Temple of Đức Thánh Phó Hưng Hiến Đại Vương is modest in size and holds no grand festivals. But for followers of the Đức Thánh Trần tradition, it is a special place all the same: a Trần dynasty temple standing on the borderland he is said, through ritual chant, to have once defended. When you visit Trùng Khánh, take a moment to light an incense stick for Đức Thánh Phó — and offer a word of thanks to the caretaker who has watched over this temple for so many years.
