Cao Bang: Ky Sam Temple

Ky Sam Temple worships Nung Tri Cao, the Tay leader of the 11th century, who led the largest uprising in the feudal period in the northern border region. The later stage of the uprising was of national character and mainly took place in the Guangxi region, China. The temple is located in Tuong Cam commune, Thach Lam district, now hamlet 9, Vinh Quang commune, Cao Bang city.

The temple is located at the foot of Ky Sam (Khau Sam) mountain on a campus of about one (01) hectare; the temple architecture is typical of the Nguyen Dynasty, built in the shape of the Chinese character "nhi" including the worshiping hall and the sanctuary. The worshiping hall consists of three rooms built with gable walls, with a rolling door in the front and two doors leading to the sanctuary in the back. The house is 18m deep and 7m wide. Ky Sam Temple was recognized as a National Historical Relic under Decision No. 43-VH/QH, dated January 7, 1993 of the Minister of Culture and Information.

According to legend, the temple was built on Khau Sam mountain in the past. Every year on the tenth day of the first lunar month, local people bring offerings. In the past, the offerings included: 100 castrated chickens; 1 pig weighing 100 kilograms; 100 liters of wine, 100 tubes of sticky rice; gold, incense, fruits, local specialties (banh chung, banh khao, thuoc thec, khau sli, che lam...); Today, the offerings include: 1 castrated rooster, 1 pig's head weighing about 3 - 4 kg, 1 bottle of wine, 1 tray of sticky rice, fruits, candy, gold, incense... (Source: pages 125,126; Temples and pagodas in Cao Bang ; National Culture Publishing House). According to local elders: “The temple is located at a high position, and every year people have to go there and pay their respects, wishing the temple was at the foot of the mountain. After praying for the temple to be moved, that night there was a heavy rain and strong winds, and a scaffolding flew and fell on the current location of the temple.”

In the Ky Sam temple in the worshiping hall, there is a horizontal plaque "Hai Duc Son Cong" flying to express deep gratitude for the merits of Nung Tri Cao like the sea and mountains. Inside the sanctuary, there are three altars: In the middle, Nung Tri Cao is worshiped, on the left, A Nung - Nung Tri Cao's mother is worshiped, on the right, three wives are worshiped: Vuong Lan Anh, Doan Hong Ngoc, Tran Thi Cam".