Located in a beautiful landscape of limestone mountains interspersed with rice fields, lakes and marshes, Thai Vi temple does not leave tourists indifferent thanks to the beauty of its ancient architecture and its peaceful and serene environment.
Thai Vi temple is located in Van Lam hamlet, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, 1.5 km from Tam Coc pier. The villagers of Van Lam built this temple to pay homage to the kings of the Tran dynasty (13th century – early 15th century).
Thai Vi Temple is part of the Vu Lam Palace complex, an important military base built by King Tran Thai Tong in Ninh Binh, the ancient capital of Dai Viet, in the 14th century to prepare forces for the second war of resistance against the Mongols. Vu Lam Palace and Thai Vi Temple, are also associated with the event that King Tran Thai Tong left the court to lead a religious life before settling on Yen Tu Mountain.
Thai Vi Temple belongs to the Trang An complex whose landscape of karst peaks amidst rice fields is considered the land-based Ha Long Bay. According to Feng Shui, Thai Vi Temple is located in a prime location where nature is majestic with high mountains side by side, the Ngo Dong River flowing in front.
Thai Vi Temple is not only a historical monument, it also has characteristics of the Tran Dynasty architecture. The architectural form of “noi cong ngoai quoc” includes 3 temples built in the shape of “H”, with a large portico on the front. It could not keep its original architecture because of the effects of time and war, however, in recent years, the locals have tried to restore the temple to its original form.
The temple was built to the right of the place where King Tran Thai Tong once erected the imperial palace of Thai Vi. The temple covers a rather small area compared to other common temples, but is extremely beautiful and gives visitors a feeling of serenity. In front of it, there is a Ngoc well built of green stone. In front of the gate, two stone horse statues face each other. From the courtyard of the temple, you will see the bell tower built on two floors with tile roofs, and the eight corners of the curved roof.
Thai vi temple is a spiritual place frequented by local people who come to commemorate the merits and contributions of the Tran kings. Every year, the Thái Vi temple festival is held on the 14th day of the 3rd lunar month, with many activities.
Thai Vi temple is close to destinations with various activities: Tam Coc by rowing boat, Bich Dong pagoda, Dinh Le temples of the ancient capital Hoa Lu, Trang An complex.
