Royal Shrine (Thai Mieu)

Under feudal dynasties, the "Thai Mieu" is the most sacred place, where ancestors of the kings are worshiped. Therefore, the location of the Thai Mieu is often the ancestral homeland of the founder of the dynasty and is regarded as the second capital of a dynasty.

The Pagoda was built by the villagers of Trai Loc, An Sinh starting from 1993 on the site of the ancient Royal Pagoda.

The Tran Dynasty Pagoda is one of the important relics within the complex of the Tran Dynasty National Historical Site in Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh Province. According to historical records, this is where the Tran ancestors and kings were worshiped. The ancient Tran Dynasty Pagoda was located in Doc Trai village, Yen Sinh commune, Me Son district, Dong Trieu province, Kinh Mon district, Hai Duong province. Today, it is located in Trai Loc 2 village, An Sinh commune, Dong Trieu town, Quang Ninh province.

Locally known as the "Thai Pagoda," it sits atop a low mountain called Doi Dinh. The mountain's terrain resembles a sacred fish shape, stretching north to south with its main face facing south. It is flanked by tall mountains resembling protective arms, with Vay Rong peak at the back - where Am Ngoa Van serves as the rear boundary. The Am Tra stream from Ngoa Vam flows east to west, with Tu Phuc mountain as the front boundary, and two dragon-eye wells in front converge with water. Surrounding it are small hills enveloping the Pagoda. The geographical features include "Ta Thanh Long, Huu Bach Ho; hau cham co nui cao, minh duong co tu thuy, tien an co nui chan."

The Pagoda was built during the Tran Dynasty, characterized by a large-scale architectural layout in the style of "Chu Vuong" characters. Over time and historical upheavals, the Pagoda has been gradually destroyed and fallen into disrepair.

By the end of the Tran Dynasty, the Thai Pagoda, along with other relics in Dong Trieu like Quynh Lam Pagoda, suffered severe destruction from Ming invaders. During the Le Trung Hung period, local authorities and residents showed concern for the restoration and preservation of the Pagoda's rituals, worship, and architectural renovations. Throughout history's ups and downs, the entire architecture of the Thai Pagoda has been completely devastated.

During the Nguyen Dynasty, as recorded in the stele at the Thai Pagoda in the second year of Bao Dai (1929) and in the Than Tich Than Sac manuscript by Ly village chief of Doc Trai in 1938, the villagers of Doc Trai (now Trai Loc) contributed finances and efforts to rebuild the structure on the old foundation. The architectural style followed a single-character layout, covering an area of 78m² with a structure of three compartments and two double-eaved bit doc, featuring prominent columns, brick walls, sen-tile roofing, and ridge tiles in the shape of a dragon. This architectural style resembled a village Pagoda (commonly known as Doc Trai communal house), where villagers commemorated their contributions and honored the Tran kings as the village's revered sovereigns. Prior to the August Revolution of 1945, Doc Trai's establishment remained a place of spiritual practice and community religious activities within the region.

Thai Mieu of the Tran Dynasty

Since 2008, in order to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Tran Dynasty, Dong Trieu town has collaborated with the Management Board of Key Heritage Sites in Quang Ninh and the Institute of Archaeology of Vietnam to conduct two scientific research expeditions and excavations at the Thai Mieu archaeological site. The aim is to clarify the architectural scale, evaluate the location, and understand the role of Thai Mieu within the cultural heritage system of the Tran Dynasty in general and specifically within the Tran Dynasty relics in Dong Trieu.

Through archaeological excavations and seminars, scientists have revealed the entire architectural foundation of Thai Mieu across the Tran, Le, and Nguyen dynasties, particularly during the Tran Dynasty. With an excavation area exceeding 3,000 square meters, archaeologists have delineated the comprehensive architectural layout of Thai Mieu during the Tran Dynasty, spanning three renovation phases, showcasing 38 interconnected architectural structures in a "royal palace within a nation" style, characteristic of Tran Dynasty Pagoda architecture.

The archaeological research has shown that the architectural scale of Thai Mieu during the Tran Dynasty was grand and impressive, featuring interconnected architectural structures perfected with the "royal palace within a nation" architectural style. Numerous artifacts such as ceramic vessels, decorative floral patterns on architectural elements, and Tran Dynasty roof tiles have been discovered. Notably, a large brown-glazed ceramic basin adorned with lotus and foliage patterns represents the artistry of the Tran Dynasty, with an intricate design of eight dragon motifs symbolizing royal and imperial goods

Comprehensive View of Thai Mieu

In 2014, Thai Mieu underwent a restoration covering an area of 16,223 square meters, entirely funded through socialization. After 3 years of construction, on December 19, 2017 (lunar calendar), Thai Mieu was officially inaugurated. Thai Mieu consists of three main areas: Nghi Mon (the ceremonial gateway), the conservation area preserving Thai Mieu since the Tran Dynasty, and the new Thai Mieu area.

Nghi Mon was newly constructed using stone, featuring couplets on the front face of its two main pillars. The main architecture of Thai Mieu follows the C-shaped plan: Bai Duong (the main ceremonial path), Ong Muong (the central chamber), and Hau Cung (the rear courtyard).

Bai Duong: This area comprises a structure with 5 sections and 2 roof lines, using stacked roof beams and rafters adorned with decorative motifs inspired by Tran Dynasty patterns. The horizontal inscriptions and couplets are painted in gold. The door frame, scroll, and decorative patterns are painted in silver. In the center hangs a large inscription of four characters: "Tran Trieu Thai Mieu" (Thai Mieu of the Tran Dynasty). The layout of the ancestral altar includes the central incense burner for Cong Dong worship, with the left side dedicated to the worship of Tran Dynasty kings and courtiers, and the right side for military officials and scholars of the Tran Dynasty. The ancestral altar is placed on the ceremonial pedestal, featuring incense burners and candlesticks. Additionally, the front courtyard displays various ritual objects: cranes, octagonal jars, bells, drums, wooden horses, flags, and ornamental lanterns.

Ong Muong: This section houses the altar with incense burners and ancestral tablets, dedicated to worshiping ancestors and Tran Dynasty kings. It features a structure with 1 section and 2 roof lines. In the center hangs a large inscription: "Thanh Mieu Tuc Ung" (A solemn and dignified sanctuary).

Hau Cung: This area houses the statues of the four To figures of the Tran Dynasty and 14 Tran Dynasty kings, with a structure of 3 sections and 2 roof lines.

According to ancient rituals, only kings with "mieuhieu" (royal shrine names) are worshipped at Thai Mieu. However, to honor the reverence of present-day people towards their ancestors, Thai Mieu in Dong Trieu venerates all 14 Tran Dynasty kings. To emphasize the eternal blessings accumulated for building the royal foundation, Tran Thai Tong posthumously honored his father as King Tran Thua, so Tran Thua is worshipped in the central position on the highest pedestal. Later, Tran Anh Tong also posthumously honored three generations, including King Tran Kinh, King Tran Hap, and King Tran Ly. According to ritual, these figures must be worshipped in separate shrines to repay long-lasting blessings. Today, they are also worshipped in the rear row, with their statues placed higher but not on the ceremonial pedestal. The upper row of the central chamber includes three ancestral figures: King Tran Kinh in the center, King Tran Hap on the right, and King Tran Ly on the left. The lower row features King Tran Thua in the center, with the 14 kings arranged according to the ritual "Ta chieu, huu muc," with their statues placed on the ceremonial pedestal.

Patterns of floral motifs inside Thai Mieu emulate the Tran Dynasty's floral patterns.

  Thai Mieu of the Tran Dynasty in Dong Trieu is one of the most significant historical sites within the overall Tran Dynasty historical complex in Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh province. Through the ups and downs of history, amidst wars and fires, only traces remained buried underground. Now, the newly constructed Thai Mieu stands worthy of the historical and cultural value of the site, reflecting the merits and collective achievements of the Tran dynasty, a legitimate dynasty of Dai Viet, with deep-rooted blessings passed down through generations to come.