Hidden amidst the bustling life of Hanoi, Quan Thanh Temple is not only a sacred landmark but also a testament to the long process of forming and developing the culture and beliefs in this land.
1. Introduction to Quan Thanh
Address: 190 Quan Thanh Street, Quan Thanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
Opening hours: Every day of the week: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. On the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Open all night on New Year’s Eve to serve the public’s prayer and well-being needs.
Ticket price: 10,000 VND per person. Free for children.
Quan Thanh Temple, one of the sacred temples in Hanoi, is not only a place to pray for peace and luck for tourists and locals but also an attractive destination for those wishing to explore the cultural and spiritual beauty of the thousand-year-old city. Located near West Lake, where many historical sites such as Van Nien Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Tay Ho Temple are concentrated, Quan Thanh Temple, along with other temples, forms a unique and harmonious architectural complex, enriching the capital’s landscape.
In addition to its architectural beauty, Quan Thanh Temple also preserves the precious cultural and spiritual values of the people of Hanoi. As one of the “Four Sacred Temples of Thang Long” – a group of four temples that protect the four directions of the ancient Thang Long Citadel – Quan Thanh Temple guards the northern direction, alongside Kim Liên Temple (south), Voi Phuc Temple (west), and Bach Ma Temple (east). Each temple carries deep significance and plays an important role in the spiritual life and history of the capital. These values have made Quan Thanh Temple not only a spiritual destination but also an indispensable part of the journey to discover Hanoi.
2. History of Quan Thanh Temple
Quan Thanh Temple worships Huyen Thien Tran Vu, one of the four deities guarding the four gates of ancient Thang Long. Built during the Ly Dynasty, the temple has undergone many restorations, with major repairs taking place in 1677, 1768, 1838, 1841, 1856, and 1893.
During the reign of King Le Hy Tong, Lord Trinh Tac instructed his son Trinh Can to create a bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu to replace the previous wooden statue. In 1794, during King Canh Thinh’s reign, Admiral Le Van Ngu of the Tay Son dynasty had a large bronze bell cast and placed in the main hall. King Minh Mang later renamed the temple “Chan Vu Quan,” but the name “Tran Vu Quan” was retained in the main hall.
In 1842, King Thieu Tri visited the temple and provided money to cast a golden ring to place on the statue. Quan Thanh Temple, also known as Tran Vu Quan, carries the meaning of “Dao Quan” – a place of worship for Taoism.
At the beginning of 1962, Quan Thanh Temple was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic, marking it as an important destination in the journey to explore the culture and beliefs of Hanoi.
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3. The legend of Quan Thanh Temple
The image of Saint Tran Vu is a prominent figure in both Vietnamese and Chinese mythology. It is said that Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the deity who guards the northern gate of the Heavenly Palace during the Sui Dynasty, held the mission of protecting the heavens from evil spirits and demons. After a long period of performing his divine duties, he descended to earth and was reborn as the son of the King of Tĩnh Lạc in China.
As he grew up, Huyen Thien Tran Vu renounced power and decided to follow the path of asceticism. He ascended Mount Vu Duong, living a life of austerity for 42 years to cultivate himself and attain spiritual enlightenment. After achieving enlightenment, he continued his journey and, upon arriving in Vietnam, stopped at Long Do village, by the Nhi Ha River (now Hanoi). Here, he decided to practice in a temple near West Lake.
With his superior teachings, Huyen Thien Tran Vu not only attracted the reverence of the people but also became a guardian deity for the people of Long Do village, helping them overcome disturbances from evil spirits and demons. The story of Huyen Thien Tran Vu reflects not only the deep spiritual and cultural imprint but also the belief in the invisible power of deities in protecting the peace of the people.
4. The unique architecture of Quan Thanh Temple
Quan Thanh Temple features distinctive architecture, harmoniously blending traditional elements with the essence of Eastern artistic sophistication, clearly reflecting the influence of Chinese architecture. The structure consists of the outer gate, front altar, central altar, worship courtyard, and inner sanctum, with each part deeply embodying cultural and spiritual significance.
The outer gate of the temple, located on Thanh Nien Street, makes a strong impression with two intricately carved columns featuring four phoenixes facing each other and a mythical lion reaching up to the top. Surrounding the columns are elaborate motifs, including a dragon-shaped fish, a tiger descending the mountain, and prominent red couplets. Behind the outer gate stands the two-story, three-door Tam Quan Gate, with the central gate being particularly notable for the depiction of the Hindu god Rahu, illustrating the long-standing spiritual fusion between Vietnamese beliefs and those from India.
The main Tam Quan Gate houses a bronze bell cast in 1677 during the reign of King Le Hy Tong. This bell is famously mentioned in a Vietnamese folk song: “The wind blows the bamboo branches gently, the sound of the Tran Vu bell, the rooster crowing in Tho Xuong,” a sacred sound associated with the nation’s cultural memory.
Upon entering the temple, visitors will encounter a stele house with inscriptions recording the times of renovations. Behind the stele house is a shrine dedicated to fallen soldiers, honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the wars. The worship courtyard is where offerings are displayed, with an altar and two large incense burners placed in front of the main hall. In the inner sanctum, there is an introduction to the bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu, a unique sculpture that showcases the masterful art of statue carving and bronze casting by the Vietnamese people more than 300 years ago.
Quan Thanh Temple also preserves exquisite sculptures, such as the dragon-shaped fish and the tiger descending the mountain, which reflect the meticulous and refined art of the Le dynasty. A smaller bronze statue is also present in the main hall, along with a bronze bell cast during the Trịnh Lords’ reign, all contributing to the temple’s historical and artistic atmosphere.
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5. Unmissable experiences when visiting Quan Thanh Temple
5.1. Participate in the Quan Thanh Temple festival
The Quan Thanh Temple Festival is held annually on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month. It is a unique spiritual event that attracts a large number of locals and tourists. The festival includes solemn religious ceremonies as well as many traditional cultural activities, showcasing the spiritual values of the people of Hanoi.
In addition to the main festival, on the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month, as well as during holidays and Tet, Quan Thanh Temple remains open later to welcome visitors and locals who come to pray for prosperity, good fortune, and peace. This is an opportunity for everyone to return to the sacred space, immerse themselves in traditional rituals, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of one of the capital’s ancient temples.
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5.2. The four guardians ritual in the order of East – West – South – North
According to Vietnamese spiritual traditions, the Four Guardians ritual is held annually in the sequence of East – West – South – North to pray for peace and show respect to the guardian deities. Among these, Quan Thanh Temple, one of the four temples in the Four Guardians system, is an important destination in the pilgrimage journey of many worshipers.
At Quan Thanh Temple, the ceremony follows a specific order. Visitors and worshipers begin at the Tam Quan Gate, proceed to the worship area with the statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu – the deity who guards the Northern Gate, and finally complete the ritual at the inner sanctum, where other sacred deities are worshiped.
When participating in the Four Guardians ritual, people prepare offerings based on tradition, which can include either vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, similar to the offerings made during monthly temple visits. In addition, gold paper money and cash are also prepared to be offered and placed in the donation box, with hopes for blessings, wealth, and peace in the new year.
5.3. Explore famous locations near Quan Thanh Temple
After visiting and paying respects at Quan Thanh Temple, tourists can continue their journey to explore other popular destinations located just a few kilometers away. These places not only have deep historical and cultural significance but also attract a large number of visitors.
Ba Dinh Square: Located just 2.6 km from Quan Thanh Temple, this square is associated with important historical events of the nation, especially the 2nd September National Day, when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence.
Kinh Thien Palace: Located 2.8 km from the temple, this ancient structure is tied to Vietnam’s feudal history, serving as a place of worship for the Ly dynasty kings, reflecting respect for ancestors.
Hang Dau Military Post: 2.8 km from the temple, this military post played an important role during the resistance against French colonialism, bearing historical marks of Hanoi’s struggle.
One Pillar Pagoda: Just 2.9 km from Quan Thanh Temple, the One Pillar Pagoda is one of Hanoi’s unique and famous architectural sites, resembling a lotus blooming on the water’s surface, making it a must-visit destination in the city.
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By visiting these places, tourists not only enjoy the beauty of ancient architecture but also experience a piece of Hanoi’s soul – a city with a thousand years of civilization, where every stone and every tile carries valuable stories of history and beliefs.
*Note: The information is for reference only and may change over time and location. For accurate information, please contact the main establishment.
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