MAI HAC DE TEMPLE AND TOMB

Located about 20km west of Vinh city - the economic and political center of Nghe An province to the west, the Mausoleum and visitors come to visit and visit each year. Mai Hac De temple is one of the key relics of Nam Dan district, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

Nam Dan is known to many people not only because it is the birthplace of many geniuses but also because of the mettle and revolutionary fighting will of the people here. At any time, when the country is in danger, this land appears heroic heroes who stand out to save the country and help the people. Mai Hac Emperor is one of them.

Mai Hac De's real name is Mai Thuc Loan, he was born and raised in Hon Chen cave, Ngoc Trung village, Dong Liet commune (now known as Nam Thai commune, Nam Dan district). Legend has it that his mother, one day looked at cooking salt, suddenly saw a smoke of five colors wrapped around her, she felt movement in her womb and became pregnant, and 12 months later, she gave birth to him. She took the name of her mother's hometown as his surname (Mai Phu commune, Thien Loc district, now known as Thach Ha district, Ha Tinh province), and named her son Thuc Loan. Mai Thuc Loan has stronger health than people, black face like iron, more than seven feet tall, majestic mettle, is a famous wrestler in the region. At that time, the Duong Dynasty ruled our country very harshly, always looking for ways to plunder exotic foods. In Nam Dan, at the foot of Dai Hue mountain range, there is a famous delicious lychee variety. Every year, King Duong forced our people to pay tribute to litchi under very strict conditions, thousands of miles away, but King Duong requested that the litchi must be fresh after reaching to the capital Trang An. Because of that, hundreds of peasants had to die on the way to transport the litchi.

“Năm dặm một chòi lính giục vội

Ngã hang, sa hổ chết chồng nhau”

In 713, during a trip to transport the litchi in the hot weather, with pent-up hatred, Mai Thuc Loan mobilized the peasants to revolt, killing the escorted officers. People use "litchi" to make an oath ceremony and honor Mai Thuc Loan as a marshal. Soon after, Mai Thuc Loan pulled troops to Sa Nam to establish a base, gather more troops, build citadel, and build ramparts against the enemy. Thanks to careful preparation, Mai Thuc Loan was able to liberate a large area, from Chau Hoan, Chau Dien to Chau Ai. After that victory, keep going, he advanced to attack Tong Binh citadel (present-day Hanoi), the enemy general Quang So Kha was afraid to flee the citadel. Mai Thuc Loan was honored as King by the People, set up the capital in Van An, taking the era name Mai Hac De. After ascending to the throne, Mai Thuc Loan removed tax and tribute... People enjoyed a peaceful and happy life.

In the year of the Ren Dog, the 10th Duong Huyen Tong (722), King Duong sent Warrior-Captain Phieu Ki and Court sevant Duong Tu Huc to bring 100,000 troops with Quang So Khach to coordinate to destroy the insurgent army.

Before the enemy's strength, was attacked suddenly, Van An citadel fell, King Mai retreated to Hung Son mountain (also known as Hung Linh or Dun Son) entrenched. In the midst of the difficult and fierce situation, the supreme leader of the movement became seriously ill and died. Before his death, King Mai gave full command to his son Mai Thuc Huy (commonly known as Mai Thieu De). Despite her young age, Mai Thuc Huy succeeded her father's mettle, bravely confronting the enemy, making it difficult for the Duong army to extinguish it. After Mai Thuc Loan died, his body was buried at Hung Son mountain. Later, remembering his merits, the people built a temple on Ve Son mountain, forever worshiping him. In the minds of the people of Nam Dan district, the hero Mai Thuc Loan is portrayed simply but proudly:

“Có Vua Mai Hắc Đế

Người trên rừng dưới bể

Từ kẻ chợ người cày

Người như nước như mây

Đất An Nam tụ khí

Đất Nam mình tụ khí...”

The temple of King Mai was originally built simply, until the Nguyen Dynasty, the people restored and embellished it spaciously and superficially, including 3 halls, the architectural layout of the letter "Tam", in addition, there are other works such as Three-door gate, Left hall, right hall. After many renovations, Mai Hac De temple still basically retains the layout and architectural structure of the Nguyen Dynasty.

King Mai's tomb was built in the style of "front temple, back tomb", including works: worshiping hall, back hall, left hall, right hall, tomb... In which, the main works of the temple are arranged in the letter "Khau" - a type of layout rarely seen in Nghe An. In 1996, Mai Hac De's Tomb and temple was classified as a National Relic in Decision No. 51 QD/BT dated January 12, 1996 of Minister of Culture and Information.

Currently, along with many other monuments in the vicinity such as Kim Lien relic site, Phan Boi Chau memorial area... Mai Hac De's tomb and temple has become an indispensable destination for tourists when visiting Uncle Ho's hometown.