Bac Giang 'bends' before the fire: Ve Pagoda 'fades', antiquities 'destroyed?

Ve Pagoda, an ancient pagoda more than 300 years old in Bac Giang, was burned down in a serious fire on the morning of February 10, 2025. Although there was no loss of life, the precious cultural heritage of the pagoda was severely damaged.

According to initial information, the fire occurred at around 1 a.m. on February 10, when some shift workers discovered smoke rising from the main hall area of the pagoda. Immediately, they shouted, alerted the surrounding people and extinguished the fire with available means. However, due to the time of the fire being too late and the pagoda having a fairly large structure, the fire spread rapidly.

When the functional forces, including the Bac Giang Provincial Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department and the Bac Giang City Police, received the information, they quickly deployed 6 fire trucks and more than 40 soldiers to rescue and control the fire. However, according to the announcement of the authorities, the front hall and harem of the temple were completely burned, along with many valuable artifacts, including ancient Buddha statues, bronze bells, incense bowls and other historical relics.

Fortunately, the fire did not cause any human damage. Officials said that the temple at the time of the fire was unoccupied in the worship area. However, the fire has burned most of the temple's assets, especially cultural heritage, sculptures, and ancient Buddha statues of profound historical value. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and conducting damage statistics.

Ve Pagoda, known as one of the oldest and culturally valuable pagodas in Bac Giang, is believed to have been built during the Le Trung Hung period, around the 17th century. However, some artifacts discovered during the temple's renovation in 2018, such as three Tran Dynasty-style lotus stone pedestals (13th-14th centuries), suggest that the temple may have existed much earlier. Therefore, Ve Pagoda is not only a place of worship but also an important historical relic of the area.

Although the fire has been controlled, the property damage is huge. The authorities of Bac Giang province are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, and at the same time conduct damage statistics and determine the extent of the impact on these valuable cultural heritages. Authorities are also coordinating with experts in relic conservation to come up with a plan to protect and restore damaged artifacts.

Ancient artifacts, especially Buddha statues and bronze bells, are of immense historical, cultural, and religious value. The burning of the main hall and harem may affect the religious activities of people in the area, as well as make it difficult to preserve and promote the value of the pagoda.

Ve Pagoda is not only a religious work, but also a cultural symbol of the people of Bac Giang. Therefore, the pagoda fire incident has made many locals feel heartbroken. It is known that the people of Tho Xuong ward always consider the pagoda as a place not only for worship but also as a spiritual fulcrum in their cultural and spiritual life.

Although the loss is inevitable, the authorities and authorities have pledged to do their best to restore and protect the temple, and to raise public awareness of the protection of cultural heritage.

The fire at Ve Pagoda is not only a material loss but also a great loss for the community, who love the cultural and historical heritage of the nation. However, it is hoped that with the participation of the authorities and the consensus of the community, Ve Pagoda will soon be restored and continue to be a symbol of culture and religion in Bac Giang.

This monument is not only a sacred place, but also an indispensable part of the country's historical story, reminding us of the importance of preserving precious cultural values for future generations.

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