Đền Thượng Temple

Đền Thượng Lào Cai, also known as Thánh Trần Từ, is located in Lào Cai ward, Lào Cai province, Vietnam. The temple was built during the Lê dynasty, under the reign of Chính Hoà (1680-1705), and is dedicated to the National Duke and Commander-in-Chief Hưng Đạo Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn. Situated on Mai Lĩnh mountain at an altitude of 1200 metres above sea level, in Bảo Thắng street, Thủy Vĩ district, Hưng Hóa province (now Lào Cai ward, Lào Cai province). Đền Thượng was once chosen by Trần Quốc Tuấn as a signal fire post for the army to resist northern invaders.

Every year, Đền Thượng holds a festival on the full moon day of the first lunar month, and also conducts an incense-offering ceremony on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month, which is the death anniversary of Hưng Đạo Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn. Since 1996, Đền Thượng has been recognised as a national-level historical and cultural relic.

Đền Thượng Lào Cai is the official name currently used in documents to distinguish it from other temples with the same name in different localities.

The temple was built in the traditional architectural style, in the shape of the letter Công (I), with the main hall in the centre and the left and right wings (tả vu and hữu vu) on either side. Behind the temple, further uphill, is Phương Đình Pagoda, which has an inscribed stone stele recording the history of the temple and briefly praising the merits of Trần Quốc Tuấn. The Đền Thượng area boasts picturesque natural scenery, harmoniously blending traditional architecture with local cultural features, giving the temple a majestic and splendid appearance.