Thanh Hoa to renovate sacred Am Tien spiritual site

The Am Tien spiritual site, Nua Temple, and Nua Mountain, a sacred area historically linked to Ba Trieu, will undergo comprehensive renovation to eliminate its current disorganized state.

On 10/1, ong Nguyen Ba Linh, director of the Management Board of Ho Dynasty Citadel and key relics in Thanh Hoa province, announced that the Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee had issued a comprehensive plan. This plan focuses on managing, protecting, exploiting, and promoting the national historical and scenic relic site of the Ba Trieu Uprising. The site includes Nua Temple, Nua Mountain, and Am Tien. The initiative aims to resolve long-standing issues and ensure sustainable preservation of the relic.

Nua Temple - Am Tien is a national historical and cultural relic situated on Ngan Nua Mountain, covering Tan Ninh, Mau Lam, and Trung Chinh communes. Historical records indicate this sacred land is associated with Ba Trieu, who led an uprising against the Eastern Ngo invaders in 248. Local folklore considers the central point of Ngan Nua Peak one of three sacred spiritual sites in Viet Nam, along with Da Chong Mountain in Ha Noi and Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh province. It is believed to be a place where heaven and earth converge, and spiritual energy gathers.

The temple on Nua Mountain peak. *Photo: Le Hoang*

The Management Board of Ho Dynasty Citadel and key relics in Thanh Hoa province will lead the effort, taking over all assets, artifacts, and structures for management. Local communes, Tan Ninh, Mau Lam, and Trung Chinh, will collaborate on managing land, protective forests, and construction within their administrative boundaries. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee mandated decisive action against violations at the Am Tien spiritual site. This includes addressing illegal residency, dismantling unlicensed kiosks, halting operations of illegally built religious structures, and relocating unauthorized items within the relic's protected area to restore the natural landscape.

Relevant agencies must conduct a full inventory of all assets, artifacts, structures, and equipment at the site, clarifying their origin, value, legal status, and plans for preservation and use. Scientific dossiers will be prepared, and protection boundaries will be demarcated on-site. The handover and reception of the relic will proceed synchronously, ensuring unified management, preventing loss, and misuse.

The location believed to be the sacred spiritual site at Am Tien peak. *Photo: Le Hoang*

Currently, the Am Tien relic has temporarily suspended all visiting and religious activities. This pause facilitates renovation, landscaping, and environmental sanitation, preparing the site for locals and tourists during the Tet Nguyen Dan Binh Ngo 2026 holiday, according to ong Linh.

For the long term, Bi thu Tinh uy Thanh Hoa Nguyen Doan Anh instructed agencies and localities to continue implementing the Provincial Party Committee's Standing Board conclusions and the Provincial People's Committee's plan. They are also tasked with promptly renovating the relic's landscape and infrastructure to achieve a spacious, clean, and solemn appearance.

The restoration efforts must prioritize maximum preservation and faithful reconstruction of ancient spiritual architectural works. This involves removing illegal constructions, reviewing urban planning, and attracting investment to link heritage preservation with tourism and service development. Furthermore, planning for green spaces and service areas will be optimized to create local employment opportunities.