On April 26, 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DCST) in coordination with the City People’s Committee held the inauguration ceremony of the restoration and embellishment project of the bell tower to preserve the National Treasure — the pair of bells of Viên Minh Pagoda and Quan Triều Temple, located in Hưng Đạo Commune, Cao Bằng City, Cao Bằng Province.

Art Performance Program at the Inauguration Ceremony

Attending the event were Comrade Sầm Việt An, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Comrade Bế Văn Hùng, Director of the Provincial Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs; representatives of the City People’s Committee; representatives of HC Group Joint Stock Company (the project contractor); leaders and specialists from various divisions and units under the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders and specialists from several offices under the City People’s Committee; standing leaders of the Party Committee, People’s Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee of Hưng Đạo Commune; the Secretary of the Party Cell, village heads, heads of the Fatherland Front Committee, as well as representatives of the elderly and respected figures of Đà Quận Hamlet.

The Đà Quận relic complex (located in Hưng Đạo Commune, Cao Bằng City, Cao Bằng Province) houses a pair of large ancient bells, one placed at Viên Minh Pagoda (also known as Đà Quận Pagoda) and the other at Quan Triều Temple. This pair of bells is an original and rare artifact, bearing significant scientific, historical, cultural, and tourism value. In 2016, the bells of Viên Minh Pagoda and Quan Triều Temple were recognized by the Prime Minister as National Treasures under Decision No. 2496/QĐ-TTg dated December 22, 2016.

Over time and due to environmental impacts, the bell tower preserving the National Treasure had severely deteriorated, making restoration and embellishment essential. From September 2024 to March 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism implemented the project “Restoration and Embellishment of the Bell Tower Preserving the National Treasure — the Pair of Bells of Đà Quận Pagoda, Hưng Đạo Commune, Cao Bằng City, Cao Bằng Province” with a total executed budget of 5,527,000,000 VND. The project’s construction items were carried out strictly according to the approved design documents, ensuring quality in compliance with current regulations, standards, and specifications.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the project

The restoration and embellishment of the bell tower preserving the National Treasure — the pair of bells of Đà Quận Pagoda — not only serves to conserve, protect, and promote the value of the relic, but also meets the spiritual and cultural aspirations of the local people. At the same time, it contributes to safeguarding and honoring the imprints of ancient architectural and artistic culture, fostering the moral tradition of “when drinking water, remember its source,” and nurturing patriotism and national pride among generations of people in Cao Bằng.

After restoration, renovation, and new construction, the project has become spacious and dignified while still retaining its ancient beauty.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Comrade Sầm Việt An, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting the value of historical relics, especially those of high historical, architectural, and artistic significance closely tied to the cultural and spiritual life of the people. The completion of the project contributes to creating a harmonious landscape space for the relic site; preserving, embellishing, and safeguarding its long-term value; and, in combination with other relics in the area, forming a valuable historical and cultural complex.

He also requested that the City People’s Committee direct and guide the Commune People’s Committee in managing the relic; promptly prevent and address acts that may affect the safety and environmental landscape of the site; raise public awareness of legal compliance in protecting and promoting the relic’s value; strengthen communication about the meaning and value of the site through diverse forms to serve both local people and visitors; and implement linkages with other relics and heritage sites in tourism development, integrating the site into suitable tourist routes to maximize its potential and advantages in connection with historical relics.

In the coming time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will conduct acceptance procedures and hand over the project to the Cao Bằng City People’s Committee, specifically to the Hưng Đạo Commune People’s Committee, for management, protection, and promotion of the relic’s value.

Hoang Thom