Chua Nan (Nan Pagoda), also known as Truc Lam Zen Monastery, is nestled within the Ban Bu historical, cultural, and scenic site in Van Hoa ward, Ngoc Lac town, Thanh Hoa province. This sacred place not only venerates Buddha but also pays homage to the generals and soldiers of the Lam Son uprising.

Located in the Ban Bu heritage complex, Chua Nan dates back centuries. Prior to 1420, the temple was destroyed during the Ming invasion. Locals were forced to flee and relocated their worship to Ban Bu cave, where they established altars to the Water God and Buddha.

Ban Bu cave later became a key assembly and weapons manufacturing site for the Lam Son insurgents. The Ban Bu stream also served as a strategic line of defense that enabled the Lam Son forces to secure numerous victories against the Ming army, notably the decisive battle of November 1420. This triumph established a solid defense line that propelled the uprising toward ultimate victory.

Following the defeat of the Ming invaders, the local community rebuilt Chua Nan as a spiritual and cultural gathering place.

In 2005, Ban Bu cave was officially recognized as a historical, cultural, and scenic relic by the Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee. It was included in a master preservation and promotion plan to enhance its historical and cultural value.

The Ban Bu complex includes mountains, caves, streams, Chua Nan, temples dedicated to Mother Goddess Thoai, Le Lai, Le Loi, Nguyen Trai, and other Lam Son generals and warriors.

One of the most captivating features of the site is Chua Nan - Truc Lam Zen Monastery, located at the foot of the mountain. In 2016, the temple underwent a complete restoration, featuring elegant and solemn architecture that now attracts large numbers of pilgrims and tourists.

Due to its unique cultural and historical significance, the site was officially recognized in 2019 as a provincial-level historical and scenic heritage site by the Thanh Hoa authorities.

Every year on the 19th and 20th of the first lunar month, Ngoc Lac district holds the Ban Bu Cultural and Tourism Festival. This event honors the legacy of national heroes such as Le Thai To, the Le kings, and the Lam Son resistance fighters, while fostering national pride and educating younger generations on the importance of preserving historical memory.

Le Duong