In 2022, the Ba Than Ha Xu temple, located in An Hai Bac Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang, was recognised as a municipal-level relic, helping Da Nang people better understand the merits of Ba Than (Mrs. Than) - one of the founders of the An Hai Village.

Vetiges of the An Hai Citadel are discovered around the Ba Than Ha Xu temple. Photo: H.L

According to documents saved at the Museum of Da Nang, the right bank of the Han River (now in Son Tra District) was once divided into 4 small areas including Ba Than Thuong Xu (Mrs. Than in upper area), Ba Than Trung Xu (Mrs. Than in middle area), Ba Than Ha Xu (Mrs. Than in lower area) and Ba Than Hau Xu (Mrs. Than in back area).

Legend has it that Ba Than whose family name was ‘Ba’ - one of the 7 Cham clans, and first name was Than.

She had merit in establishing a market, building a wharf, and founding the An Hai Village.

To remember her merits, a temple was built by villagers on the ruins of the Cham tower.

Located in the key defence area along the Da Nang Bay of the Nguyen Dynasty in the early period of Da Nang's resistance war against French force from 1858 to 1860, the Ba Than Hau Xu temple became a shelter place for An Hai villagers.

During the anti-American resistance war, the temple used to be a secret shelter for revolutionary cadres and soldiers, plus a hidden storage for weapons and food for the revolutionary force. It also served as a springboard to attack many enemy bases in the inner city.

At present, the Ba Than Ha Xu temple is built spaciously by people on the old ground, and it becomes a cultural and religious destination for people in An Hai residential area in general and those living along the Da Nang Bay in particular.

In particular, many vestiges of An Hai citadel have been discovered around the Ba Than Ha Xu temple.

A death anniversary of Ba Than Hau Xu is held on the 12^th day of the 6^th lunar month every year, aimed at commemorating her great devotion to the homeland as well as praying for good weather and prosperity for locals.

Moreover, many cultural and religious activities are organised at the temple to educate patriotic traditions to the young generation.

After the Ba Than Ha Xu temple was recognised as a municipal-level relic, the management board of the temple has been set up to better implement the work of preserving and promoting the venue’s relic, historical, cultural and religious values.

Reporting by HUYNH LE - Translating by M.DUNG