Vietnam:tt. Giồng Trôm – Memorial Sites, Temples and Handicrafts

In the travel destination Vietnam:tt. Giồng Trôm, memorial sites, temples and cultural activities reflect a range of historical themes. Huyện Giồng Trôm includes a memorial site dedicated to Nguyễn Thị Định, as well as national historical monuments and temples, each with its own significance. Traditional woodcarving, an annual festival and crafts made from coconut materials add to this cultural profile. These places offer different ways to explore history and culture—from remembrance and temple art to handicraft production.

Memorial Sites and Historic Monuments

The Nguyễn Thị Định Memorial Site opened in December 2003 in Ấp Phong Điền, Lương Hòa Commune, Huyện Giồng Trôm, and covers 15,000 square metres. Its facilities include a stele house, a temple, an exhibition room, a documentary screening room, a rest pavilion and Nguyễn Thị Định’s office building. For more than 20 years, the site has served as a place for visits and religious veneration, and to learn about Nguyễn Thị Định’s life and work. As of September 2024, some parts of the site had already fallen into disrepair; check which areas are currently accessible before visiting. The restoration of the memorial site honours Nguyễn Thị Định and recognises her contributions to national liberation and the building of the country.

The four national historical monuments in Huyện Giồng Trôm include the tomb and temple of Lãnh binh Nguyễn Ngọc Thăng, as well as the memorial site commemorating the 1947 massacre of 286 innocent civilians. These monuments focus on different forms of historical remembrance: a named individual and the civilian victims of the massacre. Another historical and cultural monument in the province is the temple dedicated to Lieutenant General Đồng Văn Cống in Tân Hào Commune.

Temples, Woodcarving and Festivals

In the town of Giồng Trôm, in Ấp 5A, stands Đình Bình Hòa, one of the three major communal temples in Bến Tre Province. It was recognised as a national historical and cultural monument on January 7, 1993. The main hall and adjoining worship area feature notable antique wood carvings made from valuable woods such as Căm xe, Tứ thiết and Sao. The monument’s recognition and its carvings offer two different points of reference for understanding the temple: its formal heritage designation and its artistic craftsmanship.

Đình Bình Hòa’s annual Kỳ-Yên Festival, also known as the Thượng-Điền Festival, takes place on the 12th and 13th days of the twelfth lunar month. It features Hát bội and other traditional folk games. As the dates follow the lunar calendar, check the exact festival dates before travelling.

Handicrafts on Cồn Hưng Phong

On Cồn Hưng Phong, visitors are drawn to activities such as weaving baskets from coconut leaf stalks and making handicrafts from coconut shells. The two examples differ in the material used and how it is worked: leaf stalks are woven into baskets, while coconut shells are made into handicrafts. Thus, alongside historic memorial sites and temples, working with coconut materials is another distinct cultural focus.

Discover more destinations: Giồng Trôm, Bình Đại District

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