Sacred Gam Temple

Gam Temple in Tien Minh Commune is a national historical relic site and one of the five sacred temples of the former Tien Lang District. The temple is dedicated to General Ngo Ly Tin, a distinguished general of the Ly Dynasty.

Visitors pay tribute to Ly Dynasty general during spring festival

Since the first day of the Lunar New Year, Gam Temple in Cam Khe Hamlet, Tien Minh Commune, has drawn large numbers of visitors praying for peace and good fortune.

Dang Van Nho, deputy head of the temple’s heritage management board, said the number of visitor has been higher than in previous years, as 2026 marks the 900^th birth anniversary of the Ly Dynasty general.

In addition to local residents, visitors from across Hai Phong and different cities and provinces have flocked to the temple to offer incense, reflecting the belief that Gam Temple is highly sacred and preserves the legacy of the renowned Ly Dynasty general. The tomb of Ngo Ly Tin remains intact and preserved within the inner sanctuary of the temple.

Ngo Ly Tin was born on the 20th January in 1126 according to the lunar calendar. The year 2026 marks the 900^th birth anniversary. He was born in Khoai Chau, known as Hung Yen Province today.

Legend has it that Ngo Ly Tin displayed exceptional intelligence from an early age. At 18, he left his hometown and settled in Cam Khe, now Cam Khe Hamlet in Tien Minh Commune, where he settled down and opened a school. In the late Ly Dynasty, when foreign invaders threatened the country, Ngo Ly Tin rallied troops to assist the king in defending the nation. In recognition of his contributions, he was granted a number of titles by the King, including Senior General. In 1190, after peace was restored, Ngo Ly Tin returned to visit Cam Khe. However, His boat was caught in strong winds and capsized, killing him and several of his soldiers.

Local residents of Cam Khe brought his remains back and buried them at the site where he had once opened his school, now located within the temple’s rear sanctuary. The temple was later built to commemorate his contributions, and his tomb has been preserved there ever since.

Gam Temple was recognized as a national historical relic site in 1992. In 2010, on the occasion of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long–Ha Noi, the city funded a major restoration project that preserved the temple’s traditional architecture.

Preparations for the spring festival

Marking the 900th birth anniversary of General Ngo Ly Tin, many people visited the temple to pay tribute to the general.

The 2026 Gam Temple Spring Festival will take place over three days, from March 6 to 8, 2026. As this year marks the 900^th birth anniversary of Ngo Ly Tin and the first year of the two-tier local government system, authorities in Tien Minh Commune plan to organize the festival on a larger scale.

The ceremonial program will include traditional palanquin processions around the village and thanksgiving ceremonies.

Festival activities will include the Spring Calligraphy Opening Ceremony for the Year of the Horse 2026, a song and dance festival, tug-of-war competitions and Chinese chess.

Pham Thi Xuan, Vice Chairwoman of Tien Minh Commune People’s Committee, says preparations for the 2026 Gam Temple Festival has been carried out early.

The festival will be held solemnly marking the success of the National Party Congress, the elections of deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, and the Lunar New Year 2026.

Hai Phong News