Tan Yen Revolutionary Relic

The Tan Yen Revolutionary Relic is located in Tan Yen hamlet, Trung Gia Commune, Hanoi City. It marks an event of important significance in the history of revolutionary struggle of the local Party Committee and the revolutionary movement in the rural area north of Hanoi. This site is associated with the founding of the Tan Yen Party Cell, also known as the Da Phuc Plantation Party Cell – the first Communist Party cell of Da Phuc District, former Phuc Yen Province, and one of the first Party bases established in the rural area north of Hanoi during the period 1930–1945.

March 17, 1933 became a special milestone in the local revolutionary history. At the Lo Bat area belonging to the plantation of plantation owner Do Dinh Thong, in Tan Yen hamlet, the Tan Yen Party Cell was officially established. The cell consisted of 7 Party members, with Comrade Nguyen Tao as Secretary; Comrades Nguyen Van Thu, Nguyen Dang Dao, Dang Viet Teo, Dang Viet Thua, Do Viet Oc and Le Dinh Tuyen were the first Party members. The birth of the cell marked an important development step of the revolutionary movement, creating a basis for organizing, gathering and leading the masses to participate in struggle, contributing to the process of building and developing the revolutionary movement in the area.

Not only is this the place marking the founding of the Party cell, it is also associated with the secret activities of revolutionary cadres in the early 1930s. During 1932–1934, the duoi tree area in the village was used as a contact point, shelter and hiding place for secret documents of revolutionary cadres operating in the area. The ancient duoi tree still exists today and has therefore become a special artifact of the relic, like vivid evidence of the years of revolutionary activity full of hardship, secrecy and danger.

In order to commemorate generations of cadres, Party members and masses who contributed and sacrificed for the revolutionary cause, in October 1998, the Party Committee and People's Committee of Hong Ky Commune, together with the District Party Committee and People's Committee of former Soc Son District, requested the City Party Committee and People's Committee of Hanoi City to permit construction of a memorial stele house in the duoi tree area. After approval under Decision No. 674/QD-UB, the project began construction in November 1998 and was completed in May 1999.

On August 5, 2006, the Hanoi City People's Committee issued Decision No. 5563/QD-UB allowing the installation of a revolutionary relic plaque at Tan Yen to commemorate an important historical event of the capital. The construction and promotion of the relic's value not only meet the need for remembrance and gratitude to previous generations but also contribute to educating cadres, Party members and the people, especially the younger generation, in patriotism and revolutionary spirit.

In 2025, the relic continued to receive investment attention for repair and embellishment with a total budget of VND 19.5 billion. The renovation and upgrading of items contributed to preserving historical values and at the same time created a solemn, spacious memorial space suitable for organizing traditional education activities and local cultural activities.

The relic is planned on a flat, spacious and airy plot in the residential area, with a total area of about 400 m². The entire grounds are surrounded by a protective wall system. From the outside in, the main items include the entrance gate, courtyard and garden, and the central stele house, arranged in balance to create a harmonious and solemn whole.

Relic gateBuilt solidly on the main axis, connected to the enclosure wall system. The two square gate pillars, each about 0.45 m per side, are arranged symmetrically. Above each pillar there was formerly a round sphere placed on a square base; the pillar bodies are highlighted by framed panels and decorative moldings, contributing to the imposing appearance of the entrance.

Beyond the gate isthe courtyard and flower garden areaabout 120 m² in area. The space is divided into an inner courtyard and an outer courtyard. The inner courtyard is about 20 m², paved with Bat Trang tiles, creating a clean and solemn feeling. The outer courtyard is about 100 m², with a main ceremonial path about 2 m wide leading straight to the stele house. On both sides are neatly planned garden areas planted with ornamental plants and trees, creating an airy and tranquil space for the memorial site.

Prominent at the center of the relic site isthe stele house, built on a foundation about 0.60 m above the courtyard level. The structure has an area of about 20 m² and takes the form of a traditional square pavilion with a two-tiered overlapping roof structure and four roofs. The roof corners are shaped as dragon heads facing the four directions, both expressing the solemnity of traditional architecture and creating an artistic highlight for the structure.

The roof is cast in concrete and covered with fish-scale tiles; the ridge and edge borders are built up with raised moldings. At the center of the ridge is a sun image, and the two ends have dragons flanking it. Between the two roof tiers is a row of balusters. The structure uses a system of eight reinforced concrete columns, including four round main columns and four square subordinate columns. The horizontal and longitudinal beams are designed relatively simply, giving the structure an elegant and light appearance. Around the stele house is a railing about 0.65 m high, both protecting the structure and creating a boundary with the courtyard and garden space.

At the center of the stele house isthe memorial stone stelerecording the event of the founding of the Tan Yen Communist Party Cell on March 17, 1933. The stele was made of monolithic blue stone at the end of the 20th century, about 1.82 m high, 1.15 m wide and 0.16 m thick. The stele is solemnly placed on a black-gray stone base, 2.05 m long, 1.08 m wide and 0.46 m high.

The stele's forehead has a bas-relief of a hammer and sickle combined with a lotus flower; the border is decorated with vine and stylized floral motifs in soft lines. The content on the stele face is engraved with text marking the site of the founding of the Tan Yen Communist Party Cell on March 17, 1933, and also records that this was the first cell of the Da Phuc Party Committee and the Phuc Yen Provincial Party Committee. The list of 7 founding Party members is also engraved on the stele, including: Nguyen Tao – Secretary; Nguyen Van Thu; Nguyen Dang Dao; Dang Viet Teo; Dang Viet Thua; Do Viet Oc and Le Dinh Tuyen.

In front of the stele is placeda stone incense burner, about 0.43 m high, 0.30 m long and 0.20 m wide. The incense burner has a bas-relief of dragons flanking the sun, in the artistic style of the late 20th century, and is a place where local people and visitors respectfully offer incense in remembrance.

Notably, to the right of the stele house there remainsan ancient duoi tree, a unique original artifact of special value to the relic. During 1932–1934, the duoi tree was a place of shelter and also a location for hiding secret documents of revolutionary cadres operating in the area. Over many decades, the tree has remained within the relic grounds, becoming direct evidence associated with early revolutionary activities. Previously the tree had two large spreading canopies; during construction of the stele house, one canopy was cut back to create ground for the project.

Since it was built, embellished and put into use, the Tan Yen Revolutionary Relic has become a red address in the local traditional education work. It is not only a place of remembrance and gratitude to generations of cadres and Party members who laid the foundation for the local revolutionary movement but also a space for today's generations to learn about the history of struggle, the years of secret activity and the process of forming the Party organization in Tan Yen land.

Every year, on March 17 – the anniversary of the founding of the Tan Yen Party Cell – the local Party committee, government and people organize a commemoration at the relic. In the morning there is usually a rally, a review of historical traditions and an incense-offering ceremony in remembrance. In the afternoon, agencies, units, mass organizations, families and people in the hamlet, commune and neighboring localities come to offer incense and express their respect and gratitude to those who contributed to the revolutionary cause.

With historical values associated with the birth of the Tan Yen Party Cell – an important milestone in the process of forming the Party organization in the Da Phuc area – together with the memorial architectural system and especially the ancient duoi tree that still bears traces of revolutionary activity, the Tan Yen Revolutionary Relic is a meaningful address for preserving the local historical memory. Over time, the relic continues to remind people of the patriotic tradition and loyal spirit of previous generations, contributing to building awareness of responsibility, pride and love for the homeland in present and future generations.