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The Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi

The Huc Bridge leads you over Hoan Kiem Lake to the Ngoc Son temple
The Huc Bridge

A visit to the the Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi is one of the visual highlights of this city.

Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) was erected in the 19th century in commemoration of Tran Hung Dao, the greatest military commander of the Tran Dynasty. With his military brilliance, Tran Hung Dao led the Vietnamese Army to several victories over the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century.

The temple is situated on a small island in the Hoan Kiem Lake.

The bridge to the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi
Another view of the bridge over to the temple

The bridge was built in 1865 during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc by scholar Nguyen Van Sieu. The bridge is called “Thê Húc” which means “the rising and perching sun”, though it’s also interpreted as “the place where the light is stored”.

The bridge serves as more than just a pathway – it’s deeply embedded in Hanoi’s cultural identity. It connects visitors to Ngoc Son Temple, one of Hanoi’s most visited attractions due to its spiritual and historic significance, with shrines dedicated to Tran Hung Dao and other important figures  The temple sits on what’s known as Jade Island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake.

The entrance to the outer courtyard of the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi
The entrance to the outer courtyard of the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi

Across the bridge and you enter the outer courtyard of the temple. Here people gather to prepare themselves for their worship, or maybe just to grab a family photo.

A group of people visiting the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi
A group of people visiting the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi

You are free to enter the temple and visit the shrines. The temple serves as both a place of worship and a cultural landmark that connects visitors with Vietnam’s rich history and spiritual traditions. The temple represents the deep spiritual heritage of the Vietnamese people and offers a serene environment for reflection and prayer.

Burning incense outside the entrance to the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi
Burning incense outside the entrance to the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi
Inside the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi
Inside the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi
A dragon carving at the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi
A dragon carving at the Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi

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