Nguyễn Mai Phương

HẢI DƯƠNG — Đông Temple – one of the most prestigious historical and cultural relics in the northern province of Hải Dương has sustained serious damage due to the effects of weather and time, despite efforts by local people and authorities to preserve the structure.

Built in the 16th century, the temple was first restored in the 18th, with work completed on the incense burners, communal well, three altars, five external halls, five medium halls and four harems.

Its special wooden structure includes sculptures of dragons and pearl patterns bearing typical engravings of the Hậu Lê (Latter Lê) Dynasty (1428-1789), has been damaged by termites and woodworms.

Nguyễn Đình Tơ, an elderly man who lives close to the temple and works as a guard, said the state of the temple has gotten worse over the past five years, mostly due to severe weather and infestations of insects.

Tơ pointed out various spots of damage on the temple’s main wooden pillars, which he said were caused by termites. The man pointed to broken tiles on the roof, with sunlight shining through the holes up there.

The front doors were also rickety due to their old and damaged frames.

As the interior pillars suffered the most damage, local people used concrete to strengthen them to ensure they would not become a danger for visitors, according to Tơ.

To the left of the temple is a secret tunnel used as a shelter for Vietnamese soldiers during the resistance war against French.

The tunnel, built during the 1940s, is 3m deep, 8m wide and 25m in length. The big tunnel was often flooded during rainy days.

Tơ said the tunnel was designed with a narrow door, so that only one person could fit through at one time. After flooding, the tunnel is only cleaned when a festival is held in the temple.

Local authorities and people are worried about the current condition of the temple.

They have repeatedly reported the issue to Thanh Miện District authorities and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hải Dương Province.

Chairman of the Communal People’s Committee, Nguyễn Đức Ban, said a submission for funding to restore the temple was also sent to the Government in 2004, but no response was received.

Meanwhile, according to Nguyễn Đình Phương, a communal cultural official, the restoration and preservation of the temple could cost up to VNĐ10 billion (roughly US$430,000).

Locals were still trying their best to protect the site while hoping for Government support as Phương said the locality could not cover all of the funding.