Majestic ancient tower by Lo Giang river

Enduring the flow of time, Binh Son ancient tower located in Tam Son commune, is a rare architectural masterpiece that has been preserved almost intact to this day. Ranked as a special national monument, the Binh Son tower complex - Vinh Khanh pagoda not only contains profound historical and cultural values ​​but is also the pride of the local people, an attractive destination for tourists from near and far.

Unique architectural and cultural values

Located on high, solid land, Binh Son Ancient Tower has long been associated with the spiritual life of Tam Son people. The structure is also known as Then Tower or Vinh Khanh Pagoda Tower, appearing from the Ly - Tran Dynasty, hundreds of years ago. Historical documents show that, at first, the tower had 13 - 15 floors, the top of the tower was shaped like a lotus bud reaching high, symbolizing purity, the aspiration for a peaceful and happy life.

After many events, the tower now has 11 floors and 1 pedestal floor, 16.5m high, built with thousands of baked bricks using ancient stacking and linking techniques. Each floor of the tower gradually gets smaller towards the top, creating a graceful appearance, connecting heaven and earth. The elaborate carvings such as winding dragons, lions, chrysanthemums, bodhi leaves, lotus petals reflect the brilliant development of fine arts during the Ly - Tran period, and at the same time show the talented hands and delicate artistic thinking of the ancients.

Mr. Le Trung, Head of the Department of Social Culture of Tam Son commune, affirmed: "Binh Son Tower is one of the few terracotta towers of the Tran Dynasty that is the tallest still existing today. The architectural, artistic and historical values ​​of the relic are extremely special. Over the past many years, the locality has established a relic management board, mobilizing the community to join hands to preserve, protect and promote the value of this heritage."

Unique architecture of Binh Son tower

Binh Son Tower not only has artistic value but is also a sacred cultural and spiritual space for the people of Tam Son. On the full moon and the first day of the lunar month, people and tourists often come to Vinh Khanh Pagoda to burn incense, pray for blessings, and worship, creating a unique cultural and spiritual lifestyle.

Promoting the value of relics, preserving them for the future

Previously, the pagoda festival was held on the full moon of January every year with a solemn ceremony and a vibrant festival, attracting a large number of people and tourists. For many reasons, the festival was interrupted, but in the Spring of Giap Thin 2024, the Tam Son government decided to restore the traditional festival, restoring the long-standing cultural beauty.

During the ceremony, people carry palanquins and pray for favorable weather, national peace and prosperity; the festival includes cultural exchanges, sports competitions, and folk games such as human chess, tug of war, blind man's bluff, etc., contributing to preserving and spreading local cultural identity.

Along with the festival, heritage education for the younger generation is also promoted. From 2023, Binh Son Tower will be included in the “Local Education Materials” program, taught in local schools.

Mr. Vu Quang Manh, Vice Principal in charge of Hoang Hoa Tham Secondary School, said : "The school regularly organizes extracurricular activities for students to visit Binh Son Tower. Through this, students can better understand the history, architecture and cultural values ​​of the relic, thereby nurturing their love for their homeland and national pride."

Not only a spiritual destination, Binh Son Tower also regularly welcomes archaeological research groups, documentary film crews and tourists from all over. This activity has contributed to promoting the local image, opening up the potential for developing cultural and spiritual tourism associated with historical relics.

However, according to local leaders, over time and the impact of weather, Vinh Khanh Pagoda is currently in a state of serious degradation. Many structures are rotten and cannot withstand the force, and some locations at risk of collapse have had to be temporarily supported by columns. If not repaired promptly, the relic may face the risk of collapse, especially in conditions of prolonged rain and storms.

Many structures of Vinh Khanh pagoda were rotten and at risk of collapse, so they had to be temporarily supported by columns.

Faced with that situation, the People's Committee of Tam Son commune sent a document to the People's Committee of Phu Tho province and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, requesting attention and urgent direction to implement the restoration and embellishment project to protect the relic.

According to Plan No. 91 dated April 15, 2025 of the People's Committee of Vinh Phuc province (old), the conservation and restoration of the relic complex has been divided into specific phases. The 2025-2030 period focuses on marking the protected area, conducting archaeological excavations on the foundation of Vinh Khanh pagoda and researching the scientific basis for the restoration, renovation and embellishment of the relic's works.

Next, in the 2031-2035 period, investment will be made in preserving, repairing and restoring the Binh Son Tower and Vinh Khanh Pagoda relics, preserving the system of artifacts at the relics and preventing termites, while investing in items to promote the value of the relics such as installing signposts, building walking paths, parking lots, and tourism services.

Vinh Khanh Pagoda in particular is included in the DA-01 project group and a detailed project will be established to be implemented in the period 2031-2035. Although there is a clear roadmap, the government and people of Tam Son commune still earnestly request the province to consider supporting and speeding up some urgent items, especially protecting Vinh Khanh Pagoda, in order to promptly prevent the risk of degradation, ensure safety for tourists and preserve the intact value of the heritage.

Mr. Le Trung, Head of the Department of Culture and Society of Tam Son Commune, emphasized: “Vinh Khanh Pagoda and Binh Son Tower are treasures of the homeland, with special historical and architectural values. The locality will continue to closely coordinate with all levels and sectors to properly implement the restoration roadmap approved by the province, and at the same time proactively take measures to protect and temporarily reinforce the relics to keep them safe.”

The government and people of Tam Son commune really hope that the Binh Son Tower and Vinh Khanh Pagoda will soon be restored and renovated.

The preservation and promotion of the value of Binh Son Tower is not only the responsibility of the locality but also requires the cooperation of all levels, sectors, communities and tourists. When properly invested in and restored, combined with sustainable tourism planning, Binh Son Tower will certainly become an important tourist highlight, both preserving heritage and promoting socio-economic development, improving people's lives.

With its special value in architecture, art, history and spirituality, Binh Son Tower deserves to be protected and promoted as a priceless treasure of the nation, to forever be the pride of the people of Tam Son commune as well as of Phu Tho province and the whole country.

Van Cuong

Source: https://baophutho.vn/uy-nghi-thap-co-ben-dong-lo-giang-240099.htm