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Tiếng Việt 
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24/03/2023
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Ngoc Son Temple Hanoi is a popular tourist destination (Source: Collected)
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has many beautiful landscapes, architectural works, and historical sites. Located in the heart of Hanoi, Ngoc Son Temple is a distinguished example of all those features, which reflects the profound spiritual life of Vietnamese people in the feudal period.
1. What to know about the history of Ngoc Son Temple Hanoi?
- Location:
Ngoc Son Temple is situated on an islet named in the northeast of Hoan Kiem Lake. The whole architectural complex is set in harmony with the surrounding landscape.
- Entrance fee:
- Adults: VND 30,000
- Children under 15 years old: free
- Opening hours: 7 am – 6 pm every day
- Worship figures:
The temple worships Van Xuong De Quan, a deity that brings happiness and wealth for scholars. It also commemorates General Tran Hung Dao (1231-1300), who chased away Mongol invaders twice in 1285 and 1288.
According to the stelae at the site, the temple’s construction started in autumn 1841. It has been renovated many times throughout history. In 1865, Tran Ba Pavillion, The Huc Bridge, and Pen Tower were built, turning the site into a big architectural complex at Hoan Kiem Lake.
Over the years, Ngoc Son Temple has seen many development periods of the nation. The temple was recognized as a National Special Relic Site in 2013.
Ngoc Son Temple Vietnam has been a holy place for hundreds of years (Source: Collected)
2. What’s included in the architectural structure of Ngoc Son Temple?
Ngoc Son Temple is an ancient work in the middle of a modern capital. Before entering the main temple building on the islet, you will pass by many architectural works in the complex.
2.1. Nghi Mon Gate
Nghi Mon Gate stands with 2 columns and walls on both sides, which functions as a gate to the complex. There are Chinese characters engraved on the pillars and walls.
Stepping inside, you can see Pen Tower on the left. Erected on a hill made of stones, the Tower was built in 1865 under the reign of King Tu Duc (1829 – 1883). It measures a height of 28 metres, with a stone feather pen on top. Carved on the tower are 3 Chinese letters meaning “Write onto the sky”. The tower is dedicated to the contribution of literature and the efforts of Trinh Lords (1545-1787) in the fight against northern invaders.
The Pen Tower is dedicated to the significance of literature (Source: Collected)
2.2. Long Mon Ho Bang Gate
Passing the Pen Tower, you will reach Long Mon Ho Bang Gate, which also has 2 columns and walls on both sides. The walls have roofs like those in pagodas. On top of the wall, there are two Chinese letters meaning Dragon Gate (Long Mon). OYou can see a white tiger image carved on the left wall with the Chinese letters meaning Tiger Board (Ho Bang). The Dragon Gate and Tiger Board represent examination and success, which encourage young people to learn more and more.
Ngoc Son Temple is a masterpiece in architecture (Source: Collected)
2.3. Dai Nghien Gate
Not far from the Pen Tower, at the entrance of The Huc Bridge, a stone ink pot is installed on a gate named Dai Nghien Gate leading to Ngoc Son Temple. This symbolic ink pot carved from blue stone lies on the back of 3 stone toads, which are arranged like 3 firm legs for the pot. In the middle of the pot, there is a poem by famed writer Nguyen Van Sieu (1799 – 1872) with 64 Chinese letters. It is said that on the morning of the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, when the sun rises, the stone feather pen on top of the Pen Tower will cast its shadow onto this ink pot.
Ngoc Son Temple Complex has many interesting things to discover (Source: @soleiman1)
2.4. The Huc Bridge
The Huc Bridge is considered as a symbol of the Sun God. The name The Huc means “where sunlight beams in the early morning”. The bridge was built of wood, with curved form and painted in red. Visiting the bridge in the morning, you can enjoy the early sunshine and cool gusts of wind in the middle of immense water.
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple offer a beautiful landscape (Source: Collected)
2.5. Dac Nguyet Lau Gate
Passing The Huc Bridge, people will reach Dac Nguyet Lau Gate shaded by an old banyan tree. This small gate has 2 storeys. The upper storey has 2 layers of roofs. On the upper story, there is a round window, around which are images of phoenixes and dragons.
2.6. Tran Ba Pavilion
Tran Ba Pavillion (Tran Ba means “warding off the sea waves”) was built to function as a steady shield against evil cultural waves in the feudal age. The pavilion has a square shape, with 2 layers of roofs supported by 4 stone columns and 4 wooden columns.
From Tran Ba Pavilion, you can have a good view of Hoan Kiem Lake (Source: @maca.riosm)
2.7. The main area of the temple
The main area consists of 2 temple buildings next to each other. One temple building is dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao and Van Xuong De Quan, with their statues displayed inside. The other temple building is used to display the preserved bodies of 2 big turtles that used to reside in Hoan Kiem Lake. They are placed inside glass boxes, with full captions written below for visitors to see.
Ngoc Son Temple turtle is an attraction to visitors (Source: VnExpress)
3. The best tips for your excursion to Ngoc Son Temple Vietnam
3.1. When is the best time to visit?
You should pay attention to Hanoi’s weather on the day that you want to visit the temple. It is better if you come on a sunny day in spring or autumn, when the scenery is even more beautiful.
3.2. How to get to Ngoc Son Temple?
Located in downtown Hanoi, it is easy to get to Ngoc Son Temple by any means of transport, such as personal vehicles, taxis or public buses. If you choose to go by bus, the following bus routes pass by Hoan Kiem Lake: 08, 14, 31, and 36.
A motorbike will be quite convenient for you to travel to every corner in the city. You can rent one right at your hotel or from rental services. Or you can rent a car along with hiring a driver, which is more suitable for a big group or family.
If you visit the site at the weekend, remember that there are walking streets around Hoan Kiem Lake that are open between 7 pm on Friday and 11:59 pm on Sunday. Vehicles are not allowed to enter these streets.
There are many means of transport to choose from to get to Ngoc Son Temple (Source: Collected)
3.3. Some notes for your sightseeing and worshiping experiences
- Ngoc Son Temple is much more crowded on the 1st day and full moon days of the lunar month
- To enter the main worship hall, you should come in through the side doors, not the middle door
- Keep your voice down
- Wear formal non-revealing clothes
- Refrain from littering
- Don’t point your fingers at the statues in the temple
- Don’t take photos inside the worship areas
Pay attention to Ngoc Son Temple dress code and other regulations at the temple (Source: Collected)
In addition to Ngoc Son Temple, there are many other tourist attractions in Hanoi that you should take your time to visit, such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hanoi Old Quarter, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, West Lake, and especially VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium.
- At Vinpearl Aquarium, you will have the opportunity to explore the ocean world at one of the most modern aquarium systems in Vietnam. In a total area of nearly 4,000 square meters, Vinpearl Aquarium is home to more than 30,000 sea creatures from around the world. It also offers many attractive performances to entertain visitors and give you a chance to interact with the sea creatures through a glass pane.
- Meanwhile, at VinKE, your family will have a chance to have fun together and educate your children in a complex of 4,000 square metres. VinKE creates a “play and learn” space for children to experience their dream career, learn about their favorite field, and become more confident with the world around them. It focuses on many job simulation games, such as Fire Department, Traffic Police, Fashion Star, Kid Chef, Auto Repair Workshop, etc.
Not far from Ngoc Son Temple, you can have lots of fun at VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium
Book tickets of VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium here
Hanoi tourism has great potential as the capital city possesses many natural landscapes and historical sites. Ngoc Son Temple is becoming more and more popular as it is situated right in downtown Hanoi. The temple offers visitors a look into Vietnamese traditional architecture and belief. Other attractions in the vicinity will take you by surprise as well.
