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Hanoi's four sacred temples, or Thăng Long Tứ Trấn, are four cardinal temples guarding the four directions east, west, south and north of Thang Long ancient citadel (the previous name of Hanoi). The four temples include Bach Ma temple, Voi Phuc temple, Kim Lien temple, Quan Thanh temple. For over a thousand years, these 4 temples of Thang Long have held a significant role in both cultural and historical aspects. They symbolise the prosperity of the Thang Long citadel and contribute to the rich cultural heritage of the region. These temples were built very early. They were associated with the birth of the capital Thang Long under the Ly Dynasty. They were the places where the four gods who guard the four directions of Thang Long are worshipped, protecting Thang Long (today Hanoi) through days and nights. Of these temples, Bach Ma Temple honours God Long Do in the East, Voi Phuc Temple worships Linh Lang Dai Vuong in the West, Kim Lien Temple venerates Cao Son Dai Vuong in the South, and Quan Thanh Temple pays tribute to Huyen Thien Tran Vu in the North. Recognizing their historical and cultural significance, on January 18th, 2022, the Ministers of Vietnam declared Thang Long Tu Tran (four sacred temples) in Hanoi as Vietnam’s special national relics.
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Hanoi's Four Sacred Temples
1. Bach Ma Temple (Temple of White Horse)
Bach Ma temple is located in Hanoi Old Quarter
Bach Ma Temple was built in Tho Xuong District, Hoai Duc city, now it is 76 Hang Buom Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. The temple is dedicated to God Long Do, who is the deity guardian of Thang Long Citadel, particularly protecting its eastern side (Thang Long Citadel). It was built early on and is connected to the legend of Dai La Citadel being made by Cao Bien and King Ly Thai To's Thang Long Citadel.
According to an old tale, when King Ly Thai To relocated the capital to Dai La and renamed it Thang Long, he ordered the construction of the citadel. However, each time it was built, it would get destroyed. In response, the king sent people to pray, and suddenly, a white horse came out from the temple, walked around. Eventually, the horse returned to the temple and vanished. The king followed the horse's footprints and built the ramparts accordingly, it is surprising that the citadel was prevented from collapsing since then. In gratitude for the horse's assistance, the king honoured it as "The hero who built the capital" and named the temple where it was worshipped "Bach Ma Linh Tu" (the sacred temple of the white horse).
The horse statue in Bach Ma Temple
Throughout the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties, with 52 kings making Thang Long their capital, Bach Ma Temple has witnessed the complete formation and growth of the ancient capital of Thang Long and modern-day Hanoi. Over the centuries, the temple has been restored multiple times but still retains its grand scenery and ancient vestiges, holding significant historical and cultural value. It stands as a notable architectural and artistic relic of Hanoi.
Nowadays, Bach Ma Temple in Hanoi showcases the architectural style of the Nguyen Dynasty, featuring a large scale and facing south, in harmony with its rituals and communal houses. It houses valuable historical artefacts, including steles that record legends, myths of temple construction, and worship rituals spanning a thousand years.
The Bach Ma Temple Festival, held on the 12th and 13th days of the February in Lunar Calendar each year, combines folk culture, beliefs, and royal traditions, creating a distinctive and unique event.
2. Quan Thanh Temple (Tran Vu Quan)
Quan Thanh temple is located right next to West Lake
Quan Thanh Temple is situated on Quan Thanh Street in Ba Dinh District. It was constructed during the early years when King Ly Thai To relocated the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long in 1010. The temple is located on the Hoi Long mound, northeast of West Lake. In 1823, King Minh Mang changed its name to Tran Vu Quan, and later, during the reign of King Thieu Tri in 1842, it was given the name Quan Thanh Temple as it is today.
The temple is dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the deity who safeguards the North by assisting people in warding off evil spirits and demons. He swept away turtle demons under 14th Hung Vuong deity, helped An Duong Vuong kill cock demons which delayed him building the Co Loa citadel and prevented many demons on the Red River under the Ly Thanh Tong dynasty.
The bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu
Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi became a National Historic - Cultural Relic in 1962. Inside the temple, there is a special statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu, which was officially recognized by the Prime Minister in 2016 due to its historical significance. The statue is impressive, standing at around 3.96 metres tall, with a circumference of 8 metres, and weighing 4 tons. The statue portrays a God with a square face, straight eyes, long beard, and losing hair. He doesn't wear a hat and is dressed in a Taoist robe. The God sits on a stone platform and holds a sword, which is wrapped by a snake and rests on the back of a turtle. This statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu is a remarkable piece of art that showcases the skill and expertise of ancient Vietnamese craftsmen in bronze casting.
The main Quan Thanh Temple festival takes place on the 3rd day of March in the Lunar calendar.
3. Voi Phuc Temple (Temple of Elephants)
The entrance to Voi Phuc Temple
Voi Phuc Temple is currently located in Ngoc Khanh district, Ba Dinh district. It is situated on a mound called Long Thu, facing south and leaning to the east, which is a proper direction in feng shui. The temple is dedicated to the God Linh Lang Dai Vuong and was built by King Ly Thanh Tong in 1065. According to legend, the God Linh Lang Dai Vuong rested his head on a sacred stone before ascending to heaven, leaving an indentation and this stone is now worshipped in the temple. Linh Lang Dai Vuong played a significant role in helping the country defeat invasions during the Tran Dynasty. To honour him, Voi Phuc temple festival is held every year on the 9th, 10th, and 11th days of the second lunar month. The festival features colourful flags, drums, gongs, umbrellas, decorations, and local dances.
Worshipping space in Voi Phuc temple
Voi Phuc Temple owns many symbols and parallel sentences in Chinese characters, splendidly painted in gold, mainly praising the merits and sacredness of the gods. The temple was recognized as a national historic-cultural site on April 28, 1962.
4. Kim Lien Temple (Golden Lotus Temple)
Kim Lien temple's entrance
Kim Lien Temple was constructed during the Ly Dynasty in a village called Kim Hoa, which is now known as Kim Lien village in Phuong Lien ward, Dong Da district. It was built to honour Cao Son Dai Vuong, a deity who safeguards and bestows blessings upon people, protecting them from natural disasters and formidable enemies to maintain a peaceful life.
According to legend, Cao Son Dai Vuong is the son of Lac Long Quan and Au Co. He was one of 50 children who followed their mother to the mountains and fought alongside Son Tinh against Thuy Tinh, aiming to bring peace to the people. Subsequently, he requested his father to settle in the undeveloped land, which is presently Phuong Lien ward, Dong Da district in Hanoi. To express their gratitude, the community erected temples to worship him after his demise.
The ancient beauty of Kim Lien temple
Kim Lien Temple in Hanoi has gone through a lot of changes throughout history, but it has managed to remain in its original condition. It has many objects from the Le Trung Hung period, which have left their mark on them. Even today, the temple holds rare relics that are considered precious treasures. Take 33 Royal Ordination Certificates of the Le and Nguyen dynasties; Stone Stele "Cao Son Dai Vuong Than Tu Bi Minh" in 1510, ect… for example. These relics not only provide valuable historical information about the feudal dynasties but also offer significant insights into calligraphy, linguistics, and traditional Vietnamese art.
On January 9, 1990, Kim Lien Temple was officially recognized as a National historical and cultural relic. Every year, on the 16th day of the third lunar month, the people of Kim Lien village gather to celebrate a traditional festival and express their gratitude to the gods.
On January 18th, 2022, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 93/QD-q1g ranking Special National Relics for 5 relics across the country, including the historical and architectural Four Sacred Temple Protecting Hanoi - Thăng Long Tứ Trấn, including Bach Ma Temple, Voi Phuc Temple, Quan Thanh Temple and Kim Lien Temple.
Being designated as a Special National Relic in 2022 is a recognition and honour for the historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic significance of Hanoi's four sacred temples. These temples have endured over time, contributing to the unique characteristics of Thang Long - Hanoi with its long history. This recognition also brings a greater responsibility for the Hanoi city and its citizens to protect and promote these relics.
