Nge Cay Shrine – Echoes of the Past by the Sea

15/09/2026
Not far from Xuan Phu Beach in Hoang Thanh Commune, Nge Cay Shrine nestles quietly in a small alley, surrounded by a peaceful and down-to-earth local community. Beyond the shrine lies the sea, along with the rhythm of life of generations of people whose livelihoods are closely tied to the sea. Here, within the tranquil setting of this historic site, stories of the land and its people continue to be preserved and passed down from one generation to the next.

Nghe Cáy Shrine – a beautiful symbol of spiritual and cultural life in the coastal land of Hoang Thanh.

The name Nge Cay Shrine sounds as simple and rustic as the life of a coastal village. According to local elders, the shrine was once located next to a large field where small crabs were abundant. People from the surrounding area and nearby coastal communes often gathered there to catch crabs, and the shrine thus became known as Nge Cay Shrine – a name that has since become part of the village’s collective memory.

Through the ups and downs of history, the original architectural and artistic features, as well as the spiritual beliefs associated with different periods, have changed over time. Nevertheless, the shrine continues to hold an important place in the cultural and spiritual life of local residents.

Nge Cay Shrine worships Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon and also honors the Four Great Lords, Duc Thanh Dai Giang, and six village tutelary deities: Do Huu Khanh, Le Quang Ha, Dam Bang Troi, Pham Ba Oanh, Le Cao Canh and Cao Van Hoach.

Mentioning Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon is to recall a naval commander who made significant contributions to the resistance against the second and third Mongol invasions of Vietnam.

From an early age, Hoang Ta Thon was exceptionally strong and passionate about martial arts. He was skilled in wrestling and swimming. When the country was invaded by the Mongols, he left his hometown and joined the Tran Dynasty army. With outstanding military talent, particularly in naval warfare, he won the trust of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, who entrusted him with commanding an elite naval force.

According to historical records, in 1288, when O Ma Nhi’s fleet entered the Bach Dang River at high tide, the Tran Dynasty navy engaged the enemy before pretending to retreat, luring the invaders deep into the river. Together with other forces, Hoang Ta Thon’s naval troops, which had been lying in ambush, suddenly launched an attack, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy and contributing to the resounding victory on the Bach Dang River.

In his later years, due to his advanced age, Hoang Ta Thon was summoned to the capital to work at the Noi Gia Thu. During a coastal inspection journey from the North to the South, he reached Cua Trao in Thanh Hoa, where he fell ill and passed away. To express their reverence and gratitude, local people in the Cua Trao area built a shrine dedicated to Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon.

Alongside Sat Hai Dai Vuong Hoang Ta Thon, the six village tutelary deities worshipped at the shrine were people who contributed to the reclamation and establishment of the village and became ancestors of major family lineages in the community.

Among them was Cu De Khanh, who was born in Xom Cui, Tan Hy Village, Chi Ne Canton, now part of Dong Thanh Commune. He was credited with reclaiming land and expanding the territory of the former Bang Tri area, where Nge Cay Shrine now stands.

Scholar Le Quang Ha was born in Vinh Tri Village, Tu Quang Canton, now part of Nguyet Vien Ward. He later moved to Bang Tri Village, where he helped establish the community and build the Le Quang family lineage.

Therefore, Nge Cay Shrine is not merely a place for cultural and spiritual activities; it is also like a living chronicle of the village, where history is retold through stories about the lives and contributions of prominent figures, passed down from one generation to the next.

The full moon day of the first lunar month is the main ceremonial occasion at Nge Cay Shrine. Local residents and visitors from nearby areas gather here to conduct rituals and pray for peace and well-being according to traditional folk beliefs. These rituals continue a long-standing spiritual tradition while helping preserve cultural values within the community.

From Nge Cay Shrine, visitors can follow the coastal road, listen to the sound of waves breaking against the shore, immerse themselves in the daily life of local fishermen, and hear stories about deities who are believed to have protected the country and brought peace to the people. Through this experience, they can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural beauty of Hoang Thanh and its people.

Behind the shrine’s simple and rustic name lies the story of an entire land and generations of people. That alone is enough to invite anyone visiting Hoang Thanh to pause a little longer at this historic site before continuing their journey toward the sea.

Source: Baothanhhoa.vn

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