Hang Pagoda - The Beauty of a Temple Interspersed Between Ancient Sacredness and Tranquil Nature

Contest Entry Code: 3459f23a094d4c06a02f600e453169a2

Unit: Individual

Place of creation: Hamlet 4, Chau Thanh town, Chau Thanh district, Vinh Long province, Xã Châu Thành, Vĩnh Long, Việt Nam

Tra Vinh (old) is a province with a large ethnic population, so Tra Vinh (old) always wears a distinct beauty expressed through unique architectural works and charming landscapes. Among the landscapes, famous relics or sacred Khmer pagodas, Hang Pagoda always attracts tourists by its ancient beauty and architecture, sculptures created by the skillful hands of artisans. Hang Pagoda, called Kompong Chray in Khmer, is a Khmer Southern Buddhist pagoda located in Hamlet 3, Chau Thanh town. The pagoda is surrounded by rows of tall trees forming a natural wall, creating a separate space from the outside. The main gate of the pagoda has Buddha statues and God statues, creating a sacred and solemn feeling for the pagoda, while the back gate has a unique arch shape that at first glance feels like a cave with small paths. The inside of the pagoda is covered in an ancient color with Buddha statues, statues of Gods and architectures such as the main hall of the pagoda and the rows of pillars carved with motifs of Gods, creating a feeling of both majesty and splendor, showing us the creativity and special aesthetics of the Khmer people. In the pagoda, there is a wood carving workshop where famous artisans open classes to teach monks and talented or passionate young people. The pagoda also has a bird sanctuary with hundreds of species of birds perching in the pagoda's yard to listen to the sutras. After hundreds of years of construction, despite the bombs that damaged the pagoda, the people still repaired it, showing us the Khmer people's respect for the gods and their desire to preserve the architecture of previous generations. Currently, the pagoda still attracts tourists because of its unique architecture, natural scenery and cultural festivals here. From the above, the diversity of national identity is expressed through the lives of the people or the temple architecture and their unique arts, contributing to affirming the honor of the national identity of the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Tra Vinh (old) in particular.