Who is Mr. Bay Bao Ha?

The Temple of Mr. Hoang Bay, also known as Bao Ha Temple, is a sacred temple associated with the legend of Mr. Hoang Bay. It is gradually becoming a famous spiritual tourism destination along the road to Sa Pa, Lao Cai. The place is known for its mysterious sacredness. Let's explore more about this temple!

Where is the Temple of Mr. Hoang Bay located?
The Temple of Mr. Hoang Bay is a historical and cultural relic located in Bao Ha commune, Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province, approximately 60km south of Lao Cai city. The temple is built at the foot of Forbidden Hill, near the point where the Hong River enters Vietnam, and it is only 800m away from Bao Ha train station. The temple is dedicated to worshiping the national defender, Hoang Bay, who was a heroic commander leading the army to repel northern invaders and protect the homeland.

Bao Ha Temple - A Place to Worship "National Guardian God"
BAO HA TEMPLE - A HISTORICAL MARKER ABOUT THE NATIONAL DEFENDER HOANG BAY, AN ATTRACTIVE SPIRITUAL TOURISM SITE FOR ALL VISITORS...

The national historical and cultural site Bao Ha Temple is situated at the foot of Forbidden Hill, along the left bank of the Hong River in Bao Ha commune, Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province. The temple venerates the Guardian God Hoang Bay, the seventh legendary general of the Nguyen family, who played a significant role in recruiting and leading soldiers and civilians to resist northern invaders and protect the northern border of the country. Due to his historical contributions in defending the Northwestern region, he became a legendary figure respected and worshipped by generations.

According to official documents: In the late Le dynasty, during the reign of Cao Hoang (1740-1786), the Quy Hoa region, especially Chau Thuy Vi and Chau Van Ban, was constantly harassed by northern bandits from Van Nam, causing chaos and suffering among the local population. The northern invader leader in Van, Chau Tin Toong, seized the opportunity to attack Chau Thuy Vi and capture Tran Van Ban.

Faced with the turmoil caused by the invaders, despite the government's efforts, the Le dynasty appointed the seventh general of the Nguyen family to defend the Quy Hoa region. The army of General Nguyen marched along the Hong River, chased away the invaders, liberated Khau Ban (now Bao Ha commune), and established a large base in Bao Ha. Here, he gathered local leaders, prisoners, and recruited soldiers from the local ethnic groups, training day and night to prepare for the liberation of Lao Cai. After consolidating the military and establishing a secure rear, he led the naval and ground forces to liberate Lao Cai and the surrounding areas of Quy Hoa, bringing joy to the people.

After driving away the fierce invaders, Hoang Bay mobilized the local militia, persuaded the local fortresses to welcome Dao, Tho, and especially Nung people in green attire to establish villages, strengthen defense lines, and build strongholds.

With the aim of capturing Lao Cai, the northern invaders regularly sent troops to advance into border areas. However, under the strategic leadership and benevolence of Hoang Bay, along with the resilience of the local ethnic communities, they successfully defended the northern border. Later, the northern invaders, led by the enemy general Ta Tu Vang Pet, again invaded our territory. Hoang Bay once again led the army into battle, but in an unequal fight, he valiantly sacrificed himself. His body floated to Bao Ha, drifting to the shore under clear skies and calm clouds.

The local people brought his body ashore for burial on the slope of Forbidden Hill with deep sorrow and regret. Lư Van Cu, a Tay ethnic person, erected a small shrine for people to offer incense year-round in memory of his great contribution to the country's defense. Later, the Nguyen dynasty bestowed upon him the title "Tran An Hien Lieu" and the posthumous title "National Guardian God." The local people then built a small temple called the Mr. Temple, gradually known as Bao Ha Temple by visitors from all directions.

Bao Ha Temple is the main place of worship for General Hoang Bay, the leader of the strategic mountainous region, a talented military commander. He entered the spiritual world as a legend, and the image of "National Guardian God Hoang Bay" has spread to the entire community of ethnic groups across the country. From a small shrine, it has gradually become a magnificent temple with the landscape "above the shore, below the boat," resiliently surviving through the ups and downs of history.

Bao Ha Temple holds great historical and cultural values. In 1997, the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism recognized Bao Ha Temple as a national historical site. Every year, the Bao Ha Temple Festival (also the anniversary day of Mr. Hoang Bay) is solemnly held on the 17th day of the 7th lunar month, attracting a large number of local residents and visitors from all directions to offer incense. The festival is organized to meet the spiritual and religious needs of the people while commemorating the great contributions of General Hoang Bay, a brilliant military strategist.

In 1997, the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) awarded Bao Ha Temple the title of National Historical and Cultural Relic.

Present-day Mr. Hoang Bay Temple
From a distance, the temple appears majestic and serene, situated amidst the picturesque natural surroundings with a riverbank above and a boat below, surrounded by lush forest trees. The temple stands out as the main focal point, leaning against the mountain, facing the Hong River like a guardian protecting the land, just as Mr. Hoang Bay did in the past.

Access to the temple is convenient, whether by road, rail, or water. Currently, the temple is receiving increased attention and investment to become a destination for international visitors to come and offer incense.

Folklore about Mr. Hoang Bay and Bao Ha Temple
Mr. Hoang Bay is also commonly known as Mr. Bay Bao Ha. He is the son of King Cha. Following the king's orders, he renounced the secular world, becoming the seventh son in the Nguyen family during the late Le dynasty. During the reign of Le Cao Hoang, Chinese invaders from Van Nam infiltrated, plundered, and destroyed. The royal court then appointed him to lead a campaign along the Hong River, chasing away the enemy and safeguarding the border region near Bao Ha, Lao Cai.

In the land of Bao Ha, he commanded the river forces, repelled the enemy to the Van Nam region, and then persuaded local strongholds to welcome Dao, Tho, and Nung people, urging them to cultivate and establish villages. In a later unequal battle, Mr. Bay was captured by the enemy, tortured brutally, but he remained steadfast and refused to surrender. Ultimately, unable to achieve their goals, the enemy killed him and threw his body into the river.

Strangely, Mr. Bay's remains, floating along the Hong River, stopped at Trai Hut ferry, Bao Ha, Lao Cai. Another strange occurrence was that when he was brutally killed, the wind suddenly changed, clouds swirled, forming a horse-shaped spirit from his body. Radiating a divine light, this spirit mounted the horse and halted at Bao Ha, where the sky suddenly cleared, and the clouds formed a pattern of four spirits.

Later, when his spirit was assigned to guard the land of Lao Cai, residing in Bao Ha's palace, he became famous as a benevolent king not only skilled in archery but also indulgent and sophisticated in leisure. During his leisure time, he leaned on a lamp table, sipped Long Tinh tea, played shrimp farming, three cucks, and cockfighting. He always had twelve fairy attendants nearby and advised the people to lead righteous lives, cultivating themselves for the benefit of future generations. The Ming Mang and Thieu Tri dynasties bestowed upon him the title "Tran An Hien Lieu," and other Nguyen dynasty kings honored him with the title "National Guardian God Mr. Hoang Bay Bao Ha."

Mr. Bay is also known as the Unified Mr. Hoang because, among the Four Deities, Mr. Hoang often marked soldiers for joint (there is a belief that those who are close to Mr. Bay tend to enjoy drinking Chinese tea, playing shrimp farming, and playing cockfighting). When residing in the joint, he often wore a blue or purple robe (embroidered with a dragon twisting into the shape of longevity), a lamé scarf with a tied blue knot, and a jade-colored mismatched pin. He would offer incense, open ceremonies, and then ride a horse to mark the fields. During the marking ceremony, if he threw a branch at someone, it meant he had marked that person. When he marked, he often offered three weeks of Chinese tea and opium-laced tobacco.

The Temple of Mr. Hoang Bay was established at the location where his remains were left, called Bao Ha Temple. It is located at the foot of Forbidden Hill, on the upper bank of the Hong River, near Trai Hut ferry, in Bao Ha commune, Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province (Due to his extravagant lifestyle, the place where he resided is also known as Trai Hut Bao Ha). His main celebration day is the 17th day of the 7th lunar month, on this day, the temple is bustling with visitors from all over offering gray horses, lamp tables, ritual money, and peanut candy (peanut candy) to pray for luck and prosperity.

4. Experience of Visiting Bao Ha Temple

When to Visit Ong Bay Bao Ha Temple?
The main festival at the temple is organized on the 17th day of the 7th lunar month each year, which coincides with the death anniversary of General Hoang Bay. The festival includes activities such as processions, deity worship, incense offerings, and various interesting cultural and sports events. Not only during the festival but also on regular days, the temple welcomes hundreds of visitors who come to burn incense for commemoration or to pray for peace, prosperity, and good fortune.

How to Get to Ong Bay Bao Ha Temple – Sapa, Lao Cai?
If you cannot travel to Bao Ha on your own, you can book sleeper bus tickets or train tickets to Lao Cai city. From Lao Cai, you can take a bus to Bao Ha. If your family can travel independently, you can drive from Hanoi via the Nội Bài - Lào Cai expressway. When you reach the intersection 279, follow the signs for about 1 km to reach Bao Ha. The distance from Hanoi to Bao Ha Temple is approximately 230 km.

What Offerings to Prepare When Worshiping at Bao Ha Temple?
Similar to preparing offerings for the New Year at a pagoda, you can bring items such as salty rice, whole roosters, etc., to offer to General Hoang Bay. The vegetarian offerings may include beer, wine, mineral water, soft drinks, betel leaves, four-covered gold, and purple gold, each type worth 1000. If you have the means, you can also prepare purple horses along with clothing, pants, hats, and swords.

Attire When Visiting Bao Ha Temple
When attending the Bao Ha Temple ceremony, it's important to choose appropriate attire for the solemn atmosphere. Men should avoid wearing casual clothes or overly short pants. Women should avoid revealing or excessively flashy outfits. Modest and elegant clothing, with long pants and sleeved shirts, is most suitable for visiting this place.

What to Pray for at Ong Bay Temple?
Usually, when attending the Ong Bay Temple ceremony, people often pray for luck and good fortune. In recent years, there have been rumors about the sacredness of General Hoang Bay when requesting lottery numbers or luck in gambling. The nature of this sacredness may be unclear, but many people return to the temple to express their gratitude.

Note:
Offerings to General Hoang Bay do not necessarily have to include offerings to the Twelve Celestial Fairies. The number and type of offerings can vary, but the sincerity of your heart is the most important.

Complete Prayer to Ong Hoang Bay Bao Ha
(Note: The prayer includes invocations to various deities, spirits, and historical figures, expressing reverence and seeking blessings for different aspects of life. The content is extensive and involves numerous cultural and spiritual references.)

"Prayer to Lord Hoàng Bảy Bảo Hà (complete version)

Namo Amitabha Buddha!

Namo Amitabha Buddha!

Namo Amitabha Buddha!

I bow to the nine realms and ten directions, to the Buddhas of the five directions, and the ten directions of Buddhas. The merit and virtues of the Buddha are boundless.

Before the court of heaven, I respectfully bow to the Great Compassionate Bodhisattva who saves suffering and distress, beseeching the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.

I offer prayers to the Holy Ones, to the heavens, and to the divine places, repenting:

The Three Realms' deity kings, the Four Realms' holy emperors,

I repent before the Holy Emperor of Heaven - the Supreme Holy One, the Great Compassionate Human Savior, the Mysterious Supreme Deity, and the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Lord.

I repent before the Music Emperor - (Mount Tản Viên Holy) - the Five Music Deity Kings - the Five Mountains and Five Oceans.

I repent before the Water Emperor - (Lạc Long Quân Great Emperor) - the Eight Sea Dragon Kings - the Eight Directions of the Ocean Gates.

I repent before the Earth Emperor - the Ten Palaces, the Bright Palace, and the Earth Palace.

The Center of the North, Middle Heaven, the Three Origins, the Three Phases, the Three Gates, I repent before the Great Holy Southern Tào Six Generations.

I repent before the Great Holy Northern Dipper Nine Generations.

The Nine Stars, the Heavenly Lords, the Twelve Constellations, and all the heavenly soldiers and generals.

I repent and bow to the Motherland, the King and Queen of the First Saint's Four Palaces:

I bow to the Nine-Body Holy Mother, the Half-Heaven Holy Mother,

I bow to the Earthly Holy Mother, the Beautiful Lotus Fragrance Holy Mother.

Princess Mã Hoàng, the royal decree, the victorious triumph, the divine decree of Tiên Hương's celestial goddess.

I bow to the Third Palace Holy Mother, the Water Palace Princess, the Water Crystal Princess.

I bow to the Virtuous Mother, the Supreme and Thousand Divine Virtues Meditation Master.

Weekly turns, East and West, Second Summit, High Mountain Dynasty, Princess Lê Mại.

I bow to the holy realm of the present dynasty, the Great Dao Great King.

The Glorious Dynasty, the King's Mother Queen, the King's Mother-in-law.

Four Kings' sons, Two Kings' daughters, King's reverence, honor, and glorification. The exalted generals of the Tran Dynasty.

I bow to the Three Realms Alliance, Four Palaces of Myriad Spirits.

Hundred officials, Five Honored Officials:

First Official of the Highest Heaven

Second Official of the Highest Thousand

Third Official of the Soothing Palace

Fourth Official of the Reverent Mission

Fifth Official of the Weekly Competition

I repent the Seven Respected Officials - Million Respected Officials.

I bow to the Four Palaces serving Twelve Palaces:

First Serving of the Highest Heaven

Second Serving of the Highest Thousand

Third Serving of the Water Palace

Fourth Serving of the Reverent Mission

Fifth Serving of the Suối Lân Stream

Sixth Serving of the Lục Cung Palace

Seventh Serving of the Kim Giao Palace

Eighth Serving of the Bát Nàn Palace

Ninth Serving of the Cửu Tỉnh Palace

Tenth Serving of the Mỏ Ba Palace

Small North Lệ Palace Serving

Serving at the village temple

I bow to the Four Holy Palaces, the Ten Holy Emperors.

I repent to Lord Bảo Thoại Quốc, Lord Bảy Bảo Hà, and Lord Mười Nghệ An.

I repent to the Four Holy Palaces of the Holy Sisters:

First Sister of the Highest Heaven

Second Sister of the East Cuông

Sister Bơ Thác Hàn

Sister Four Earth Palace

Sister Five Suối Lân Stream

Sister Six Lục Cung Palace

Sister Seven Kim Giao Palace

Sister Eight Tea Hills

Sister Nine Sòng Sơn Mountain

Sister Ten Đồng Mỏ Mine

Sister Bé Sơn Lâm

Sister Bé Village Temple

I repent to the Four Holy Palaces of the Holy Brothers: Older Brother, Twin Brother, Older Sister, and Younger Brother.

I bow to the Five Spiritual Generals - Five Tiger Spirit Officials.

I bow to the Clear Snakes General - White Snakes General.

I bow to the Common Officials, Various Officials, Eighteen Forest Gates, and Twelve Ocean Gates.

I bow to the Temple Lords and Temple Officials, the sacred earth deities, and local spirits.

As for my name: .............................................. .................................

Residing at: ............................................ .................................................

Golden Year, Golden Month, Date: .................................

In my humble heart, I sincerely offer this evening's thoughts and wishes, earnestly praying for the most sincere aspirations, the most devout heart, and the most fulfilling mind.

I think with one heart and wish with ten thousand hearts - offering incense, flowers, offerings, and a written prayer with a single heart.

Bringing my mouth to speak, and my head to bow, I come before the divine court of the Three and Four Palaces.

Above my parents, below my parents, I seek the mother's compassion - stroking, sheltering, protecting, and supporting.

For me: three months of summer, nine months of winter - the beginning of the year, the middle of the year, and the end of the year,

Four seasons, eight phases - favoring wind and rain, averting disasters and ensuring safety.

May the mother grant bright eyes, firm legs - blessing in spring, prosperity in summer,

Being as fresh as leaves, as beautiful as flowers - bringing good fortune and wealth,

May the mother grant the ability to eat and speak - abundance in speaking, opening, near and far,

Abundance overflows, fullness abounds - bringing goodness and taking away evil.

May the mother save the yin and yang, save the roads and markets - stroking, sheltering, covering, guiding, blossoming, and expanding.

Improve the bad, overcome the good - change fortune, jump over ink and hold scales.

The mother approves the red characters, abandons the black characters - for the child to have a hundred good things and ten thousand blessings.

Respecting the superior, loving the inferior - meeting teachers and friends, encountering ten thousand good things.

The mother bestows fame, appearance, and authority - for the child to have income, reality, silver, and gold - wealth like the flowing clouds.

Praying for wealth to acquire wealth, praying for blessings to acquire blessings - praying for peace to acquire peace.

Planting trees to receive blessings, the child blooms with green branches and leaves, abundant prosperity in all directions.

May everything be smooth and harmonious - above, safeguarding, below, listening, above, protecting, below, fearing.

May the mother ensure a flowing stream - a boat downstream, all illnesses dispelled, ten thousand illnesses eradicated.

Yearly conflict resolution for the mother, monthly resolution for the mother.

For the family, the child is prosperous inside, outside, peaceful, and auspicious - long life, growth, and health.

The child is human, with eyes, flesh, bone, and sinews - the negative is unclear, the positive is not revealed.

The child is still young, hair is still black, eating is not clean, white is not clear.

Eating is not to the point, speaking is not appropriate, not knowing how to cry for understanding, how to bow for understanding,

The child knows where to go, the child goes where - three things do not deviate, seven things are not wrong.

A hundred sins, mother's pardon, a thousand sins, mother's compassion. Mother forgives ignorance, mother forgives delusion, mother forgives mistakes, mother forgives errors.

Mother illuminates the path, guiding the way for the child to know the path and follow it.

Today, the child offers a silver heart, a rich one for one bundle, a poor one for one stick - richness is twofold, narrowness is singular,

Lacking the mother to do enough, having the mother to do full.

The mother accepts the offerings - accepts the offerings, accepts the worship.

Confirming the heart, the words, and the sounds of the child's prayer fly like a phoenix, like a flower to your seat.

May the child's wishes be as desired, the child's requests be obedient.

I bow in reverence to Amitabha Buddha (3 times)

Reference: Excerpt from the Chinese-Nom ritual text of Mr. Hoàng Bảy"

Some Attractive Tourist Destinations Near Bao Ha Temple
When attending the ceremony at Bao Ha Temple, you can take advantage of combining your visit with tourism in Lao Cai. Explore the misty mountain town of Sapa, known for its unique landscapes in the Northwest. You can check Saomaifly for information on tours in the area. Some places you can visit include Bac Ha market, Sapa town, and O Quy Ho Pass.

Source: Saomaifly compilation and composition
https://saomaifly.com/den-ong-hoang-bay-diem-den-linh-thieng-ban-can-ghe-qua-khi-den-sapa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/subcultureVn

#ExploreMysteries #SoulfulTravel #AdventureAroundTheWorld #JourneyOfALifetime #ConquerThePeak #LostInNature #ExploreCultures #AdmireBeautifulScenery #RelaxingTravel #CaptureMemories #FootstepsOfDiscovery #NaturalWonders #AuthenticAdventurer #SustainableTravel