Nestled like a precious emerald on a tiny island in the heart of Hanoi's legendary Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple stands as one of Vietnam's most enchanting spiritual sanctuaries. If you’re into culture and history, this is a must-visit place when you’re here in Hanoi! In this blog, let’s discover what Ngoc Son Temple has to offer with its rich history!

Ngoc Son Temple, whose name translates to "Temple of the Jade Mountain," stands as one of Vietnam's most enchanting spiritual sanctuaries and architectural marvels. This sacred site represents far more than a simple religious building- it embodies the very soul of Vietnamese culture, where ancient legends, scholarly traditions, and spiritual devotion converge in perfect harmony.

Located on a small jade-green islet in the heart of Hoan Kiem Lake, the temple serveos as a living testament to Vietnam's rich heritage. Here, visitors discover a unique blend of Confucian philosophy, Taoist traditions, and local folklore, all woven together through centuries of cultural evolution. The temple's significance extends beyond its religious function, acting as a cultural bridge that connects modern Hanoi with its storied past.

What makes Ngoc Son Temple truly special is its role as both a place of worship and a symbol of Vietnamese resilience. It honors revered scholars, military heroes, and spiritual guides who shaped the nation's character, while continuing to serve as a sanctuary for those seeking peace, wisdom, and good fortune in the bustling heart of Vietnam's capital.

The story of Ngoc Son Temple begins in the mists of Vietnamese history, with its origins tracing back to the 14th century. According to historical records, when King Ly Thai To changed the capital to Hanoi in 1010, he gave the temple the name of Ngoc Tuong. During this early period, the site served various spiritual purposes, reflecting the evolving religious landscape of Vietnam.

During the Tran Dynasty (13th-15th century) the temple changed its name to Ngoc Son, marking a significant transformation in its identity and purpose. This name change reflected not just linguistic evolution but also a shift in the temple's spiritual focus, as it began to embody the concept of a sacred mountain rising from the waters- a powerful symbol in Vietnamese cosmology.

The temple's most significant transformation came in the 19th century under the direction of one remarkable man. In 1865, it was repaired by scholar Nguyen Van Van Sieu (1799 - 1872). He built Tran Ba Pavillion, The Huc Bridge, and Pen Tower, turning the site into a big architectural complex at Hoan Kiem Lake.

According to the stelae at the site, Ngoc Son Temple's construction started in autumn of 1841, under the reign of the Ly Dynasty, with the current structure taking shape during this pivotal period. Scholar Nguyen Van Sieu's vision was revolutionary - he transformed what had been separate structures into a cohesive architectural complex that would represent the pinnacle of Vietnamese spiritual and intellectual achievement.

Initially, the tourist attraction was named 'Ngoc Son Pagoda'. However, in Vietnamese culture, pagodas serve as the place for Buddhism practices, while temples are dedicated to the worship of historical figures. Therefore, soon after construction, its name was changed into 'Ngoc Son Temple'.

This name change represents a crucial understanding of Vietnamese religious taxonomy and reflects the temple's unique mission to honor both spiritual deities and historical heroes. The transformation from pagoda to temple marked its evolution into a site that would celebrate Vietnamese military genius, scholarly achievement, and spiritual wisdom.

The temple's historical significance received official recognition in recent decades. It was recognized more consciously through history in 2013 when it became a National Special Relic site. This designation acknowledges not only the temple's architectural and spiritual value but also its role as a custodian of Vietnamese cultural memory.

Ngoc Son Temple is associated with many stages of development in Vietnam's history and was classified as a special national relic in 2013, cementing its status as one of the nation's most treasured cultural landmarks.

The temple opens daily from 7AM to 7PM and a bit later, until 10PM during weekends while also maintains affordable pricing that reflects Vietnam's commitment to cultural accessibility:

Important Note: Entrance fee is collected at the Dac Nguyet Lau (Moon Gazing Pavilion), after you cross The Huc Bridge. Remember to bring cash because credit card is not accepted.

To get here, you can choose multiple options such as using public buses, ride-hailing app like Grab or Xanh SM (they use electric cars) or drive yourself here. Whichever way you feel comfortable for the journey.

Visiting Ngoc Son Temple is like unfolding a carefully crafted scroll of Vietnamese culture, where its historically-engraved architecture stands out the most. To fully admire the exceptional beauty of the site, begin your journey by crossing the Huc Bridge, then go through a collection of structures before reaching the final destination - Ngoc Son Temple.

The Huc Bridge is a symbol of the Ngoc Son Temple, attracting visitors with its vibrant red color and unique Buddhist architecture. Indeed, the bridge's name means "where sunlight beams in the early morning." Thus, whenever you come here in the morning, you will surely enjoy a wonderful ambiance of full sunshine and cool breezes.

Traveloka reviews: Recent visitors consistently praise the bridge's photogenic qualities, with many noting that it creates the perfect Instagram moment, especially during golden hour. The 32-column structure provides numerous angles for photography, making it one of Hanoi's most photographed landmarks.

The tower was constructed atop a stone hill in 1865, during the reign of King Tu Duc (1829 - 1883). It is 28 meters tall and has a stone feather pen on top. Carved on the tower are 3 Chinese letters "Ta Thanh Thien", meaning "Write onto the sky".

Fascinating Fact: The Tower, resembling a pen with its nib pointing to the sky, sits on a rock pile which represents the earth. The meaning of The Pen Tower is depicted in three words 'Ta Thanh Thien' (Tả Thanh Thiên - Writing on the blue sky), which was carved on a stone slab next to the tower. This symbolizes the Vietnamese belief that true scholarship should reach toward the heavens.

Nghi Mon Gate: The entrance to the compound is identified by the Nghi Mon Gate, which consists of two columns and walls on either side. The walls and pillars all have characters written in Chinese engraved into them.

Dac Nguyet Lau (Moon Gazing Pavilion): Dac Nguyet Lau Gate, also called the "Moon Gazing Pavilion," features 2-story architecture shaded by an old banyan tree and many surrounding plants. Coming here, you will be attracted by a round window – decorated with the images of dragons and phoenixes.

Traveloka reviews: Visitors particularly appreciate the intricate symbolism embedded in each gateway. Engraved on the left side of the gate is a turtle, which represents longevity and sustainability. On the other side is a dragon, which symbolizes strength and power.

The main area includes 2 temple buildings sitting next to each other. One building worships General Tran Hung Dao and Van Xuong De Quan, with their statues displayed inside. The other displays the preserved bodies of 2 big turtles that once lived in Hoan Kiem Lake.

Fascinating Discovery: These turtles hold significant cultural and historical importance in Vietnam, particularly in relation to the legend of the lake's mystical turtle. According to folklore, a magical turtle surfaced from the lake and returned a mythical sword to Emperor Le Loi, who led Vietnamese forces against invaders! That’s why the lake is called “Hoan Kiem Lake” like today, because Hoan Kiem means to return the sword.

Outstanding with its intricate design, the pavilion means more than just the protection against natural catastrophe. It is a reminder to maintain our cultural identity despite invasion of foreign cultural values, a precious lesson deduced from years of fighting for independence.

Located south of Ngoc Son Temple, Tran Ba Pavilion was constructed to shield against evil cultural influences on the life and tradition of Vietnamese people. It was designed with two layers of roof and eight columns made of wood and stone.

The Vietnam Military History Museum is one of Vietnam's most significant repositories of military heritage. It recently relocated to a spectacular new facility that opened in November 2024. Now situated at Km 6+500 Thang Long Boulevard in Nam Tu Liem District, this state-of-the-art museum spans nearly 39 hectares and represents a monumental upgrade from its previous location at 28A Dien Bien Phu Street in Ba Dinh District, which closed to visitors on September 30, 2024.

The impressive new complex features a four-story main building covering 23,198 square meters, crowned by a striking 45-meter Victory Tower that symbolizes the heroism and resilience of the Vietnamese people throughout their military history. With modern architectural design blending traditional and contemporary elements, the museum houses tens of thousands of artifacts, documents, and exhibits that chronicle Vietnam's military journey from ancient times through the Ho Chi Minh era.

Visitors can explore meticulously curated indoor galleries displaying everything from ancient weapons and battle strategies to captured French colonial equipment and remnants of American aircraft, while expansive outdoor exhibition areas showcase large-scale military hardware, including Soviet MiG fighters, tanks, and artillery pieces that played pivotal roles in Vietnam's struggles for independence and reunification.

Imagine walking through 1,000 years of history in a single afternoon. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is like a giant time capsule buried beneath modern Hanoi, where archaeologists have uncovered layer upon layer of Vietnam's imperial past. This UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the country's political headquarters for eight centuries, hosting everything from royal coronations to military strategy meetings that shaped Southeast Asian history.

What makes this place truly remarkable is that you can literally see different time periods stacked on top of each other - ancient palace foundations from the 11th century lie directly beneath French colonial military buildings, which in turn sit above secret underground bunkers used during the Vietnam War. The towering Doan Mon gate, with its distinctive curved rooflines and intricate carvings, once welcomed foreign ambassadors and dignitaries to the imperial court.

Today, visitors can touch 900-year-old ceramic tiles decorated with dancing dragons, then walk a few steps to examine radio equipment used by Vietnamese generals in the 1960s. It's history you can actually feel, where each excavated layer tells a different chapter of Vietnam's incredible story of survival and reinvention.

The Temple of Literature is Vietnam's first university, emerging from the bustling streets of Hanoi as a tranquil oasis of learning and Confucian tradition. Established in 1070 and dedicated to literature, education, and the veneration of Confucius, the Temple of Literature represents over a millennium of Vietnamese scholarly pursuit. Its five courtyards unfold like chapters in a book, each revealing layers of architectural beauty and historical significance.

The temple's most treasured features include the ancient stelae of doctorate holders, stone tablets honoring Vietnam's earliest scholars that have survived centuries of war and weathering. Visitors today can wander through peaceful gardens where ancient trees provide shade for contemplation, examine traditional Vietnamese architecture at its finest, and gain insight into the deep respect for education that has shaped Vietnamese culture for generations.

Apart from these stunning landmarks, you can check out more of Hanoi’s interesting activities to learn more about the culture and history of Vietnam:

We hope the blog has given you great information that you need to know for your upcoming visit to Ngoc Son Temple. If you’re planning to explore more places around the city, don’t forget to read our blogs tailored to your interests. And remember, you can always book flights, hotels and travel activities with amazing deals here on Traveloka!

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