KPL
Standing at the estuary of the Bach Dang River, just 20 kilometers from downtown Hai Phong, history feels strikingly alive. As part of a press delegation covering the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, I joined journalists from ten countries on a visit to the Bach Dang Giang relic site—Hai Phong’s largest complex of historical, cultural and spiritual monuments.
The Bach Dang estuary holds a unique place in Vietnam’s national memory. It was here that three decisive naval battles shaped the country’s destiny, becoming enduring symbols of Vietnam’s resilience against far stronger invaders.
The first battle took place in 938, when national hero Ngo Quyen defeated a Chinese fleet of 20,000 troops, marking the end of centuries of foreign domination. Forty-three years later, King Le Dai Hanh again routed invading Song forces from China. The most famous victory came in 1288, when General Tran Quoc Tuan led Tran Dynasty forces to defeat the Mongol invaders, using ingenious tactics that would echo through Vietnamese history.
Today, those victories are carefully preserved at the Bach Dang Giang complex. Three temples, dedicated to King Ngo Quyen, King Le Dai Hanh and General Tran Quoc Tuan, were built in traditional architectural style using natural wood and stone. A newly constructed road leads visitors across intricately carved stone bridges to imposing statues of the two kings and the general overlooking the historic wharf. In the river itself, fields of sharpened wooden stakes—faithful recreations of the original battlefield defenses—stand as powerful reminders of Vietnam’s strategic brilliance.
During our visit, groups of students moved through the site, studying compasses, simulation models and the reconstructed stakes. Teachers explained how Vietnam’s ancestors turned the river’s tides into a weapon, helping young visitors vividly imagine the battles that shaped their nation.
Looking ahead, the complex is expected to expand with the addition of the Bach Dang Victory Park. Hai Phong authorities are also proposing that Bach Dang Giang be officially recognized by the State as a special national relic site—a move that would further cement its status as a place where history, culture and national pride converge.
KPL
