The worshipping altar of General Võ Nguyên Giáp, a symbol of the national strength, was located on the left inside the ancestors worshiping house in the Truong Sa temple in Truong Sa town, Truong Sa district (district of Spartly Islands), Khanh Hoa province. There are also two other altars inside the ancestors worshiping house, one for worshipping Buddha King Tran Nhan Tong in the middle and the other for worshipping fallen Vietnamese in Vietnam’s seas and islands, regardless of ethnic, religious or political backgrounds.  

Venerable Thích Giác Nghĩa beside the worshipping altar of General Võ Nguyên Giáp

The Spratly temple includes a main Buddha worshipping house constructed in a modest area of 50 m2. Current Abbot of Truong Sa temple is Veneral Thích Giác Nghĩa. In the current context of tension in the East Sea due to China’s illegal placing of oil rig 981 and vessels in the Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and territorial shelf, Veneral Thích Giác Nghĩa said, he bows deep down everyday to pray for the withdrawal of Chinese oil rig 981 and vessels.

He also shared that in Vietnamese culture, Buddhist temples are also places to foster the national spirit and gather the national strength. So, the image of General Võ Nguyên Giáp gave an additional strength and confidence for people and soldiers in Truong Sa islands.

There were soldiers contemplating for a long moment in front of the altar for worshiping General Võ Nguyên Giáp between guarding shifts. Fishermen often come to the altar to offer incense to the General before going to the seas of Vietnam’s homeland with constant dangers of harassments posed by foreign forces...

. General Phùng Quang Thanh was among the first people to come and light incense for worshipping General Võ Nguyên Giáp in this temple.

Venerable Thích Giác Nghĩa (standing right) speaks to visitors