Kiet Bac wooden pile system
The stakes discovered during the restoration of Kiet Bac Temple (Hai Phong City) in early 2026 attracted public attention because they were hoped to be the stakes from the Battle of Bach Dang. If they truly were Bach Dang stakes, along with the stakes found at Cao Quy stake field (also in Hai Phong), the context and understanding of the glorious battle would become clearer. However, at the time of their discovery, many researchers offered various opinions on the function of these stakes.
These stakes were initially believed to be the stakes of Bach Dang.
PHOTO: ARCHIVE
"The stakes could be embankment stakes, fishing stakes, military stakes, pavilion stakes, or architectural stakes; we shouldn't hastily conclude that there is a military stake field at Kiet Bac," said Dr. Tran Trong Duong (Hanoi University of Industry).
At the recent 2026 Archaeological Conference, a five-member research team from the Institute of Archaeology and the Con Son - Kiet Bac Relic Management Board reported on the piles found at Kiet Bac Temple. The team included Dr. Pham Van Trieu, M.Sc. Bui Van Hung, Nguyen Thi Hong Le, Nguyen Thi Thuy Lien, and Le Duy Manh.
According to Master's student Bui Van Hung, the renovation and restoration process unearthed wooden pile relics in the lake area north of Kiet Bac Temple. Subsequently, researchers excavated an area of approximately 400 square meters. "We discovered several wooden pillars arranged in parallel," said Master's student Bui Van Hung. In his speech at the conference, Mr. Hung used the term "wooden pillars" interchangeably with "piles."