The temple dedicated to Doc Binh Vang (Yellow Commander) whose birth name is Tran Van Nang, born in 1763, a native of Vinh Diem village, Dien Khanh commune, Vinh Duong district (present south central coastal province of Khanh Hoa). Local people call the temple Mister Temple.
Dai Nam Thuc Luc (Dai Nam Royal Annals) and Dai Nam Liet Truyen (Dai Nam Biographies) wrote that Tran Van Nang was tall and good at martial arts. He served Lord Nguyen since he was young and achieved a lot of feats of arms, so he was promoted gradually.
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| The statue of Tran Van Nang in front of the temple |
Under the reign of King Gia Long, he shuttled between the South and the North to defend the borderline and expand the national territory. In 1812, when Siamese aggressors invaded Chanla, Chanla’s the then king asked King Gia Long for help. Tran Van Nang was tasked to direct troops to protect the borderline, build firm forts with strict guard. That frightened the Siamese troops that they did not dare to encroach upon our country’s border. In 1813, Tran Van Nang took Chanla’s king back to Chanla.
In 1824, under King Minh Mang’s reign, Tran Van Nang played an important role in mobilizing local people to build Vinh Te canal.
In 1834, he was promoted as a commander-in-chief to lead troops to drive Siamese aggressors out of our country’s borderline. With his talents, he successfully broke the enemy’s grip in Co Hu and Vam Thuan, killing the enemy’s commander.
In 1835, Commander Tran Van Nang fell ill and handed over military power to Truong Minh Giang. On the way back to Gia Dinh, he drew his last breath at wharf Sieu (Cu lao Tay-Tay isle) at the age of 72.
His remains was laid in a coffin in Doc Vang canal and later carried to Hue for a solemn burial service. King Minh Mang himself participated in a memorial service, presented him a poem and granted his two son noble titles.
To commemorate his contributions to the nation, people in Tan Thanh village built a temple dedicated to him. In early 2004, the temple was recognized as a national historical relic. It has been upgraded and more bridges and roads to the temple have been built to facilitate travel of tourists and those who would like to learn more about the glorious historical tradition of the nation during thousand years of national construction and protection.
In Thanh Binh district, a bridge, the main street and some schools are named after Tran Van Nang.
Note-worthily, Doc Binh Vang Temple Festival held from the fifteenth to seventeenth days of the second month in the lunar calendar with various rituals and attractive folk games always gathers a number of locals and visitors.
Translated by Mai Huong