On April 26, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism inaugurated the project to restore and embellish the Bell Tower to preserve the National Treasures of the Pair of Bells of Vien Minh Pagoda and Quan Trieu Temple in Hung Dao Commune (City).

The pair of ancient bells is associated with the historical and cultural relics of Da Quan Pagoda and Quan Trieu Temple. The bells of Da Quan Pagoda are a cultural heritage of the Mac Dynasty remaining in Cao Bang. The content of the inscription engraved on the bells partly reflects a historical period that took place in Cao Bang during the Le and Mac dynasties. The pair of bells are original artifacts of special value associated with the Vietnamese bronze casting tradition of the 17th century. The pair of bells of Da Quan Pagoda were recognized as national treasures by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 2496/QD-TTg dated December 22, 2016.

Over time and environmental impacts, the Da Quan pagoda relic complex has been degraded, especially the bell tower preserving the national treasure; the roof system has collapsed, the wooden structures are cracked, warped, infested with termites, the ground has sunk, the floor tiles are cracked, not ensuring the safety of visitors. Preserving and promoting the value of the relic as well as protecting the national treasure is a necessary and urgent task, meeting the spiritual and cultural aspirations of the people.

The project to renovate and embellish the bell tower to preserve the national treasures of the pair of bells of Vien Minh Pagoda and Quan Trieu Temple, part of the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minority Mountainous Areas in 2022, started construction in September 2024 and has now been completed, with a total cost of 5,527 million VND, including the following items: Renovating and embellishing the bell tower of Vien Minh Pagoda, with an area of ​​about 105 ^m2 and renovating and constructing a new bell tower of Quan Trieu Temple, with an area of ​​about 55 ^m2 . The items of renovation, embellishment and new construction are constructed in accordance with the approved design documents, ensuring quality according to regulations on current standards and regulations. The results of testing and inspection ensure that they meet the technical requirements according to regulations on construction design; qualified to hand over and put the construction into use.

The completed project contributes to creating a landscape space for the relic; preserving, embellishing and maintaining the long-term value of the relic; meeting the religious needs of local people; combining with other relics in the region to create a valuable historical - cultural relic complex contributing to the development of the economy, life, culture - society; effectively promoting the value of historical and cultural relics, associated with the development of local tourism.

KT