Ngoc Son Temple - Little known things about this ancient temple in history

Stepping into Hanoi Old Quarter, we can’t miss the chance to see a preserved specimen of a giant turtle, the one in the mysterious legend of Hoan Kiem Lake. Where can you see that turtle? Only in Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain)!

ngoc son temple

The peaceful atmosphere of Ngoc Son Temple

Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc Son temple are always in the heart of Hanoi, of Vietnamese people, in the most graceful and affectional way.

The temple is also a sacred place, where students can pray for the advantage in exams, studies.

Location: Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Phone number: 024 3935 1673
Recommended time: In the morning to observe more clearly, Or in the evening on the weekend if you also want to enjoy the atmosphere on walking street
Recommended activities: Hanoi Old Quarter FREE Walking Tour with local students by AZ Local NPO

Entrance Fee

Table of Contents

Adults: 30.000 VND
Children: 15.000 VND

Dress Code

There is no specific dree code but you should not wear shorts, tank top or skirt since it is a historical site

Temple Opening Hours

Monday – Friday: 7 a.m to 6 p.m
Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m to 9 p.m

I. Interesing staff in Ngoc Son

1. The ups and downs of Ngoc Son Temple

Under the Tran dynasty, the old temple was dedicated to the martyrs who sacrificed in the resistance against Nguyen Mong. After a long time, because of the harsh weather condition, the temple fell.

A philanthropist named Tin Trai, on the basis of the old palace of the Trinh dynasty, built Ngoc Son pagoda. However, after many years, the temple was also ruined.

A few years later, the pagoda was given to a charity who proceeds to renovate the pagoda, remove the bell, convert it into Ngoc Son temple today.

As a temple at the beginning, then becoming a pagoda, and lastly still a temple.

2. The Banyan Tree in Ngoc Son Temple

Banyan tree in Ngoc Son Temple about three hundred years old, approximately the same as the banyan tree in the newspaper headquarters of “Nhan Dan”.

In 1977, a typhoon caused trees to be uprooted. Many people who love the tree and this symbol of Hanoi could not help crying because of this event. The detachment team that built Thang Long Bridge was sent to “save” the tree, lifting it to its original position.

The detail “Old Si tree in Ngoc Son temple was uprooted, then rescued by Hanoi people” was included at the end of Nguyen Khai’s short story “A Hanoian”. It can be said that the ancient banyan tree, as well as Ngoc Son temple, has become an indispensable part of Hanoi’s life since the past.

3. The small shrine in the foot of Pen Tower

In the foot of Pen Tower, there is a small shrine worshiping the mountain god.

Surely you will wonder, why with such a small mountain, there is a temple to worship the mountain god, right?

Yes, according to ancient feng shui beliefs, just an inch high would be a mountain already. Whether a mountain is large or small, there must be a god.

4. The giant turtle inside Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi

The turtle is attached to the legend King Le Loi, who led Vietnamese people to fight back and expel Ming invaders from the national border. According to legend, Le Loi had the sword named Heaven’s Will given to him by the Golden Turtle God, Kim Qui. He used this sword in the battle against the aggressors. Le Loi gives back the sword

Not long after Vietnam got independence, Le Loi was out boating on the lake. Suddenly the Golden Turtle God surfaced, prompting Le Loi to return Heaven’s Will. The Golden Turtle God got back the sword and disappeared into depths of the lake. Le Loi then renamed the lake Hoan Kiem Lake, meaning “The Lake of the Returned Sword”.

5. The interesting story behind The Huc Bridge

Now invite you across a bridge with a strange name – The Huc Bridge to enter Ngoc Son Temple.

Like Ho Guom, The Huc Bridge has made the temple more attractive to tourists. “The Huc” bridge means the bridge retains the beautiful light of the sun.

However, in the past, the bridge was just planks placed along the plane on the columns selected in the lake, without handrails.

Perhaps later, through renovations, people make the bridge beautiful, curved up like a rainbow, painted red to suit the name as well as combined with the emerald water of Sword Lake.

In addition, to explain the red color of the bridge, people often associate with a very interesting story: During the years our country was colonized by the French, some French officials did not understand anything about Vietnamese civilization. They used Ngoc Son Temple as a place to enjoy and play, thus defiling the sacred places of the temple.

People around Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake are very upset. A pupil named Giang Van Minh on Hang Bong street used a tactic, burning the bridge at night, which frightened the French.

From then on they did not dare to come to Ngoc Son and from there the bridge was painted in red to remind people of the brave act of the boy. Besides, the harmony combination between the red color of the bridge and the green of water enhances the beauty of Ngoc Son temple.

6. Worship parrots in Ngoc Son Temple

When coming to the worshiping place before going to the temple, you will see two parrots on the two sides.

Yes, you must be wondering why there are two parrots in the house of worship?

I have the answer, that is the parrot that helped Lam Son army when they were surrounded in the forest.

At that time, the food was exhausted, the soldiers did not know what to eat to escape the situation and suddenly they saw parrots eating ripe fruits. The general sent the soldiers to try and see that it was okay, then they planted seeds.

Thanks to that, the Lam Son army escaped and defeated the enemy. Therefore, parrots are worshiped in Ngoc Son temple. According to popular beliefs in Vietnamese culture, worshiping parrots is praying for the fullness.

II. Ngoc Son History and worship

Before, when King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long, he named the temple as Ngọc Tường. During the Tran Dynasty, it’s the place where worships fallen heroes in the struggle against Mongols. After a long time without renovation, the temple collapsed.

In the phase of 1735-1739, Trinh Giang commanded to build an imperial palace named Thụy Khánh on the ground of the old temple. But in the last years of Post-Le dynasty, King Le Chieu Thong demolished the palace.

Ngoc Son History and worship

Inside Ngoc Son Temple

On the cornerstone of the remnants, Tin Trai, a philanthropist, constructed Ngoc Son pagoda. A few years later, the pagoda was renamed as Ngoc Son Temple because the place was only used to worship the scholar Van Xuong, one of the brightest stars in Viet Nam’s literary and intellectual circles.

In 1865, the Confucian Nguyen Van Sieu took charge in refurbishing the temple.

Ngoc Son Temple in the 19th century, After the temple was completed, there are altars dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, a big hero of Vietnam in the 13th century, who led Vietnamese people to win over Mongol invaders. Also La To, patron saint of physicians… The temple worships the Buddha, Lã Động Tân (Lü Dongbin), Quan Vân Trường (Guan Yu).

Temple Ngoc Son Architecture

To enter the temple, we will go over The Huc Bridge, a charming scarlet-painted wooden bridge of classical Vietnamese design.

The Huc Bridge

the huc bridge

The red The Huc Bride across Hoan Kiem Lake

Across the bridge, we will see Moon Gazing Pavillion (Đắc Nguyệt Lâu). This construction has 2 floors; the second floor has 2 roofs and 2 circular windows

In the right side, there is a picture named Long Mã Hà Đồ, with the image of a dragon-headed horse. It’s related to the legend about Chinese King Phuc Hy created the overall labyrinthine battle array based on brushstrokes on the back of the horse.

In the left side, a picture named Thần Quy Lạc Thư is also related to the story Chinese King Đại Vũ patrolled on the Lạc river and saw a turtle.

The architecture of Ngoc Son temple shows us religion ensemble after many years existing. The main construction is 2 connecting temples, worshipping Tran Hung Dao and saint Van Xuong.

The Huc Bridge at night

You can also take photos of the beautiful The Huc Bridge at night

Tran Hung Dao statue is put onto a 1-meter pedestal; there are 2 stone stairs on 2 sides. Tourists can take a photo with this statue. Van Xuong statue has refined manners and attitude but still majesty and August. The square roof has 8 pillars holding up: 4 stone ones outside the temple and 4 wooden one inside. This unique combination increases solemn beauty but still attractive.

The giant turtle inside Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi

One of 4 giant turtles living in Hoan Kiem Lake in the past

The turtle displaying inside Ngoc Son Temple is one of 4 giant softshell turtles having lived in Hoan Kiem lake. Locals affectionally used to call “Cu Rua”, which means “great-grandfather turtle”.The turtle is attached to the legend King Le Loi, who led Vietnamese people to fight back and expel Ming invaders from the national border. According to legend, Le Loi had the sword named Heaven’s Will given to him by the Golden Turtle God, Kim Qui. He used this sword in the battle against the aggressors. Le Loi gives back the sword

Golden Turtle God

Meaning of Ngoc Son Temple Vietnam – Temple of The Jade Mountain

Along with Pen Tower (Thap But), Ink Slab (Dai Nghien), Ngoc Son temple in Hanoi is a cultural symbol for scholars, the pride of 1000-year-old Hanoi. Ngoc Son temple Hanoi and Hoan Kiem lake became splendid evidence evoking the magnanimous history of the nation, awaking the pride and patriotism of Vietnamese people.

If you have any question, feel free to ask us.