Great Ancestor Temple of the Nguyen Clan

GREAT ANCESTOR TEMPLE

The Nguyen clan's Great Ancestor Temple is located in Dong village, Son Dong commune, Hanoi

The Nguyen Viet Temple belongs to the Nguyen Great Ancestor clan – the largest clan in Son Dong commune with more than 1,400 registered members, accounting for about two-thirds of the commune's population. According to the genealogy, the clan's ancestors appeared from the late Tran dynasty, and for many generations there were people who passed examinations and became officials.

A notable member of the clan is Nguyen Van Quang, who passed the doctoral examination in 1640 and once held the positions of Rector of the Imperial Academy and Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Works. His son, Nguyen Viet Thu, later became an outstanding notable figure of the clan. From the generation of Mr. Thu, the clan developed into many different branches and sub-branches.

The Nguyen Viet Temple is located in the middle of the village and has an ancient gate with simple architecture but distinctive traditional features. The main structure consists of two parallel buildings in the shape of the character “nhị”, built in the overlapping beam style with rustic decorative art. Although it has been repaired, the temple still retains its ancient appearance.

Inside the temple, many valuable artifacts are still preserved, such as the horizontal plaque “Nguyen Clan Ancestral Hall” from 1878, an altar carved with dragons and clouds from the 18th century, an ancient deer statue, and especially the eight-person carrying palanquin granted by the royal court to Mr. Nguyen Viet Thu.

Nguyen Viet Thu passed the Hoang Giap examination at the age of 20, once went on a diplomatic mission to China, and held many important positions in the royal court. He was famous as an honest and upright official with strategic talent and was respected by the people.

The temple was ranked as an architectural and artistic relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information in 1986.