The temple was built in 1683 to worship Admiral Than Cong Tai, a high-ranking military mandarin of the Later Le Dynasty, who played a key role in safeguarding the border region and developing the Ky Lua market.
During his tenure in Lang Son, Than Cong Tai fulfilled his duty of defending the frontier while also promoting trade and commerce, establishing merchant quarters, and turning Ky Lua into a commercial hub in northeastern Vietnam.
Centuries later, Ta Phu continues to attract crowds of visitors who come to pray and pay tribute to the distinguished general. A member of the Ta Phu temple management board, Dang Minh Thuan, said: “Ta Phu temple doesn’t worship a legendary figure but a real historical person who made genuine contributions. During his tenure in Lang Son in the 17th century, his achievements were immense. He maintained peace and security in Lang Son while encouraging people from nearby localities and from China to come and develop the area, a rugged mountain region, into Ky Lua Market Town.”
Many people associate Ta Phu temple with the Ky Cung–Ta Phu Festival, the largest annual festival in Lang Son province, held from the 22nd to the 27th day of the first lunar month. The festival connects Ky Cung temple and Ta Phu temple with a ceremonial procession in which the palanquin of Lord Tuan Tranh is carried to Ta Phu temple to show gratitude to Than Cong Tai.
One of the highlights of the festival is a traditional firecracker-head grabbing ritual which is associated with many sacred folk beliefs. Mr. Thuan said: “The firecracker-head grabbing ritual has spiritual significance. According to local belief, whoever obtains the firecracker head will enjoy family harmony, successful business, and prosperity.”
Ngo Quoc Vinh, a tourist from Hanoi, said: “The temple was beautifully upgraded on a grand scale. Its architecture reflects classic East Asian design, which is elegant and impressive. The extensive use of stone and wood shows the strong support of local people and how sacred it is.”
In 1993, Ta Phu temple and Ky Cung temple were recognized as National Historical and Cultural Relics. In 2015, the Ky Cung–Ta Phu Festival was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Lang Son authorities have been implementing plans to expand the spiritual and cultural space and attract more visitors. Ho Thi To Uyen, Vice Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Ky Lua ward, said: “Spiritual tourism in Ky Lua ward has several famous sites, including Bac Nga pagoda and Ta Phu temple. These two heritage sites are well known, but to further promote them, we have new plans for preserving and promoting cultural identity while expanding the heritage space.”
Nguyen Quang Trung, an expert in cultural and spiritual tourism training and development, said: “The preservation of the Ky Lua Festival at Ta Phu temple requires closer cooperation among the authorities, businesses, experts, and especially the local community. We must maintain cultural values and safeguard national historical legacy through well-organized festivals.”
Ta Phu temple is a bridge connecting cultural memories with contemporary life and offering visitors to Lang Son a deeper understanding of the rich history and spiritual heritage of this land.
