Exploring Bat Trang

Bat Trang temple in Bat Trang commune, Gia Lam district, Hanoi city is one of the biggest temples in North Vietnam.
Bat Trang temple worships six gods who protected Vietnam from foreign invaders. They are: Luu Thien Tu Dai Vuong, Bach Ma Dai Vuong, Trang Thuan Nghi Dung, Phan Dai Tuong, Cai Minh Dai Vuong and Ho Quoc Than Dai Vuong. The temple was rebuilt in 1702, under the reign of King Le Du Tong, on the west bank of the Red river. The temple was structured in the shape of the number two in Chinese writings. In the front is Dai Bai or the Reverence Chamber with two floors and five rooms made of wood.
On both sides of the temple there are worship places called Vach Ta, Vach Huu.  According to old villagers, sterile couples often come to these two chambers to pray for having children. The first floor and the front yard is paved with Bat Trang-made bricks, which earned its fame for being the most durable.
  Over time, Bat Trang temple preserved over fifty royal edicts. In 1976, the commune was honored receiving General Vo Nguyen Giap, who came to visit the village’s temple. Due to the high value of architect and culture, in 2005, the Ministry of Culture ranked Bat Trang temple as a national relic site.
Bat Trang’s festival takes place from 14 to 15 of the second month of the Lunar Calendar to appreciate the patron saint of the village and honor the traditional pottery craft as well as praying for wealth and happiness of all villagers.
Unique shows such as Co Nguoi (human chess) or Hat Tho (sing poem) are performed at the festival. In Co Nguoi, villagers will choose 2 female players who are the richest and the most virtuous. Each player then selected sixteen beautiful girls from ten to fifteen to be the chess pieces.
In Hat Tho, the preparation is careful and fascinating. The villagers organize three rounds and four choirs in order to sort out the best songs and the singers. The winning group will sing on the main festival of that year.
  In addition to traditional games and performances, the villagers display their unique pottery products in the market, at the center of the village.
Nowadays, Bat Trang temple is one of the most attracting location for both national and international visitors when they visit this area.