This year marks 170 years of existence of the La Chau Literature Site which is located in the Go Ha Village, Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang.

The municipal-level cultural relic was founded by Dr. Do Thuc Tinh (1818-1862) - the first and only person in Hoa Vang District to receive doctoral degree at that time.

The La Chau Literature Site is located in the middle of paddy fields in Go Ha Village, Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District. In the past, it was the place of spiritualit where Confucian writers and scholars gathered together while playing an important role in promoting the cause of education and preserving the national culture.

The founder of the La Chau Literature Site was Do Thuc Tinh who was born in 1818 and died in 1862. He was the first and only person in Hoa Vang District to receive doctoral degree at that time. In the third year under king Tu Duc's reign (1850), on occasion of his return to hometown, Mr Do Thuc Tinh discussed with the nobles and members of the District’s Literature Association to promote the construction of La Chau Literature Site, and its construction work was completed in the fifth year under king Tu Duc's reign (1852).

Though its ups and downs throughout history, the relic was almost completely destroyed, leaving only the brick foundation and 5 steles.

Among the five steles are two cracked ones but inscriptions on them are still intact. The content of the steles mainly records the process of building and overlapping the site as well as the contribution of money and efforts of locals and others. In addition, there is a stone stele inscribed with the names of the studious generations in Hoa Vang District who studied and passed exams under the Nguyen Dynasty.

Although there are no management board and keepers, locals are still conscious of preserving, cleaning and keeping environmental sanitation at the relic. In the photo: Mr. Tran Em, the Head of Go Ha Village offering incense to commemorate the village's ancestors.

Since its construction, La Chau has undergone 5 times of restoration. 2015 was the lastest time La Chau has been restored with a total cost of nearly VND 2 billion funded by Hoa Vang District’s budget.

It its efforts to promote the value of La Chau Relic Site, authorities in Hoa Vang District are making a plan to create a guide map and signposts to the relic.

The local authorities have been involved in organising exciting events to encourage good study habits among school pupils, as well as educate the younger generation about the culture and history of the locality, and Viet Nam at large.

Currently, La Chau is a relatively open place but its premises and garden are not large enough to accommodate large crowds. Therefore, the district is planning to expand La Chau’s garden, renovate its campus, and build an entrance linking with the southern ring road for convenient travel. All these works are expected to carry out in 2023.

 Reporting by T.K - Translating by M.DUNG