Quan Thanh Temple: A Historical and Cultural Gem of Hanoi Overview Quan Thanh Temple (Đền Quán Thánh), also known as Tran Vu Temple, is one of Hanoi's oldest and most sacred Taoist temples. Established in the 11th century during the Ly Dynasty, it is part of the "Four Sacred Temples of Thang Long Citadel," guarding the northern entrance of the ancient capital. The temple is dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu (Xuan Wu), the Taoist deity of the north, symbolized by a serpent and turtle. Located near West Lake at the intersection of Quan Thanh and Thanh Nien Streets, it remains a key spiritual and tourist site in Hanoi. Historical Significance - Founding: Built in 1010 under Emperor Ly Thai To to celebrate the relocation of Vietnam’s capital to Thang Long (modern Hanoi). - Sacred Role: One of four temples (alongside Bach Ma, Kim Lien, and Voi Phuc) positioned to protect the city from malevolent spirits and invaders. - Renovations: Restored multiple times, most notably in 1677 (when the iconic bronze statue was added) and 1893, blending Ly, Le, and Nguyen Dynasty architectural styles. Architecctural Highlights 1. Bronze Statue of Tran Vu: - Cast in 1677 by artisans from Ngũ Xã village, this 3.96-meter-tall, 3.6-ton black bronze statue depicts Tran Vu seated on a turtle, wielding a sword entwined by a serpent. It is Vietnam’s second-largest bronze statue and a masterpiece of 17th-century craftsmanship. - The deity’s symbols—the turtle (protection) and serpent (wealth)—reflect Taoist and Vietnamese folklore traditions. 2. Structural Features: - Three-Gate Entrance: Adorned with phoenixes and unicorns, typical of Nguyen Dynasty design. - Courtyard: Shaded by a centuries-old banyan tree, with a brick oven for burning joss paper during festivals. - Ancient Artifacts: Includes a 1.15-meter bronze bell, wood carvings of mythical creatures, and over 60 parallel poems in Chinese characters. Cultural and Spiritual Practices - Festivals: Locals visit during Tet (Lunar New Year) and on the 1st/15th lunar month days to pray for health, luck, and prosperity. - Syncretism: Though Taoist, the temple integrates Buddhist and Confucian elements, reflecting Vietnam’s religious blending. - Martial Arts: Hosts Vovinam classes, honoring Tran Vu’s association with martial prowess. Visitor Information - Location: 190 Quan Thanh Street, Ba Dinh District. - Hours: - Daily: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. - Extended hours on Tet Eve and lunar month days (6:00 AM – 8:00 PM). - Entry Fee: 10,000 VND (adults); 5,000 VND (students/children). - Dress Code: Modest attire covering shoulders and knees. Best Time to Visit: Early morning for tranquility, or during Tet (January–February) for vibrant rituals. Nearby Attractions 1. Tran Quoc Pagoda: Vietnam’s oldest pagoda, located on West Lake. 2. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: 1 km away, housing the embalmed leader. 3. Temple of Literature: Vietnam’s first university, dedicated to Confucius. Conclusion Quan Thanh Temple is a testament to Hanoi’s rich spiritual heritage and architectural ingenuity. Its iconic bronze statue, serene ambiance, and historical depth make it a must-visit for those exploring Vietnam’s cultural legacy. Whether admiring its artistry or participating in age-old rituals, the temple offers a profound glimpse into the soul of Hanoi. #travel #vietnam #hanoi #temple
Ice Lim 33
Popular Trip Moments
🇻🇳 Da Lat, Vietnam | 3 Days & 3 Nights Ultimate Guide to Food, Fun & Relaxation! | Phú Quốc Island! My Hidden Southeast Asian Paradise 🌴💖 | Spring in Sunset Town, Phu Quoc | J’ADORE Cafe & Art Exhibition | TOMATSU | Á The Matcha Space | KIKU COFFEE | A taste of paradise at Hoi An Resort in Vietnam🌴 | Tam Chúc Complex – A Tranquil Marvel of Spiritual Beauty in Vietnam | Great places to visit in Nha Trang | Perfect Nha Trang family trip | Danang Mom's Breakdown! These 3 "Traps" at InterContinental Made Me Angrily Buy Ten Swimsuits | Nha Trang tourist destination Po Nagar Temple | Spring Bloom in Bà Nà Hills, Vietnam: A Guide to Capturing Nature’s Splendor | Beautiful La Siesta #4 of Premium Hotel | Vitamin Sea | Cheese Coffee Lam Sơn | Reading Cabin | This is not Europe, this is Sapa, Vietnam. | Nha Trang Travel Destinations | Nha Trang's Stunning Night View | Charming Nostalgic Atmosphere - Old Apartment Complexes in Ho Chi Minh City | Ninh Thuan Stone Park | Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts | Vietnam Hanoi's Charming Cafe | Le Blanc Coffee & Space | OnAp Coffee | Okee Cafe | 🌟 World's Longest Cross-Sea Cable Car Experience - Phu Quoc Island 🌴 | 🌟 Halong Bay One-Day Tour 🇻🇳
Popular Travel Types
Recommended Attractions at Popular Destinations
Bangkok attraction near me | Manila attraction near me | Tokyo attraction near me | Taipei attraction near me | Hong Kong attraction near me | Seoul attraction near me | Kuala Lumpur attraction near me | Los Angeles attraction near me | Shanghai attraction near me | New York attraction near me | Shenzhen attraction near me | Osaka attraction near me | Singapore attraction near me | London attraction near me | Guangzhou attraction near me | San Francisco attraction near me | Beijing attraction near me | Macau attraction near me | Bali attraction near me | Jakarta attraction near me | Paris attraction near me | Ho Chi Minh City attraction near me | Istanbul attraction near me | Phuket attraction near me | Chicago attraction near me | Seattle attraction near me | Toronto attraction near me | Orlando attraction near me | Cebu attraction near me | Chiang Mai attraction near me
Popular Restaurants in Vietnam
EL GAUCHO | HAI BA TRUNG, D1 | HCMC | Anan Saigon | Bun Cha Dac Kim | Costa Seafood Nha Trang | Hoa Túc | The Gourmet Corner | Altitude Rooftop Bar | Red Bean Ma May | RuNam | Essence Restaurant | Hong Hai Restaurant | Lu Wang carp | HOME Vietnamese Restaurant | On the Sand restaurant Mango Bay resort | Lac Canh Restaurant | Cha Ca Thang Long | Trung Nguyên Legend Café – 07 Nguyễn Văn Chiêm | PHO 2000 | Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro | Cyclo Resto | Bánh Mì Huynh Hoa | Yi Ling Ling | Retro Kitchen and Bar | Mi Quang 1A | Mandarine Restaurant | Sailing Club Nha Trang | Yen's Restaurant | Maxim’s Vietnamese Restaurant | Gia Restaurant | Quán Ngon 138
Popular Ranked Lists
Top 9 Local Restaurants in Changshu | Popular Best Things to Do in Shangqiu | Top 5 Local Restaurants in Chengde | Top 15 Best Things to Do in Ganzi Prefecture | Popular Luxury Hotels Near East Brunswick | Top 4 Best Things to Do in Nanping | Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Red Sea Governorate | Top 9 Local Restaurants in Fenghuang | Popular Luxury Hotels Near Thermi | Popular Best Things to Do in Wuhai | Popular Local Restaurants in Heze | Top 10 Local Restaurants in Mogan Mountain | Popular Best Things to Do in Nanchong | Popular Luxury Hotels Near Fishers | Top 3 Best Things to Do in Zaozhuang | Popular Best Things to Do in Nujiang | Popular Best Things to Do in Huainan | Popular Local Restaurants in Anqing | Popular Luxury Hotels Near Naxos | Top 10 Local Restaurants in Lingshui | Popular Luxury Hotels Near Century City | Top 10 Local Restaurants in Wuyishan | Top 10 Local Restaurants in Chenzhou | Popular Best Things to Do in Guang'an | Popular Best Things to Do in Taishan | Popular Luxury Hotels in Kathmandu | Top 4 Best Things to Do in Libo | Popular Luxury Hotels in Oslo County | Top 10 Local Restaurants in Huidong | Top 10 Local Restaurants in Yibin
Payment Methods
Our Partners
Copyright © 2025 Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Site Operator: Trip.com Travel Singapore Pte. Ltd.