Hanoi, Vietnam | Quan Thanh Temple

Quan Thanh Shrine, formerly known as Tran Vu Temple, is a Taoist temple in Hanoi. Because of its history and construction, the Quan Thanh temple on Thanh Nien Street and Quan Thanh Street, near West Lake and Truc Bach Lake, has become an important religious cultural landmark in the Vietnamese capital.

During Emperor Ly Thai To's (1010-1028) reign, Quan Thanh Temple was dedicated to Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu, one of Taoism's principal deities. This is one of four sacred temples constructed in four directions to protect the capital from evil spirits.

A beautiful three-door stone entryway with a bell tower dominates the temple. Inside the shrine, a 4-meter-tall black bronze sculpture of Saint Tran Vu holds a serpent and a turtle. In Vietnamese animal iconography, the snake represents wealth, and the turtle represents protection. The statue is acknowledged as a fantastic masterpiece because to the amazing bronze casting technology used by Vietnamese people in the 17th century.

The amazing structure of the temple has endured the ups and downs of history. For Hanoians, it has become a well-known religious and cultural center. On Tet, or the first and fifteenth of each lunar month, many people attend Quan Thanh Temple to worship and pray for health, luck, and happiness for themselves and their family.

Quan Thanh Temple is a must-see for anybody interested in Vietnamese history and culture. It's about a 15-minute walk from the Old Quarter to the temple. The temple is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00, with adult entrance costing 10,000VND.