Ngoc Son Temple

 There are many significant cultural artifacts around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi but perhaps the most important and sacred is Ngoc Son Temple. Ngoc Son Temple has witnessed many of the ups and downs of the capital and has become a popular tourist destination which can't be missed. 

  With regard to history, Ngoc Son Temple was built in 19th century. Initially, the Temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda. Later on, the Temple was renamed as Ngoc Son Temple because the place was only used to worship a scholar Van Xuong and Tran Hung Dao, a hero of Vietnam in 13th century, who defeated Nguyen invaders (China). In 1985, Confucian Nguyen Van Sieu took in charge of remodeling the Temple. Some other structures like Pen Tower, Tran Ba Temple, The Huc Bridge were constructed in this time.

  
 

  Ngoc Son Temple is the unique architectural ensemble located next to Hoan Kiem Lake. To enter into the Temple, tourists will across The Huc Bridge and walk through Tam Quan, which means three - passage Gate.  In the outside of the first gate, two Chinese letters were painted in red color which means Happiness (Phuc) in the right and Prosperity (Loc) in the left. Behind the first gate is Pen Tower (Thap But) made from stones and located in Doc Ton Mountain. Pen Tower has five storeys with the height of 28m. The peak of the Tower has the shape of a feather quill pen pointing toward the sky. The body of the Tower were carved three letters "Ta Thanh Thien", which means "Writing on the clear blue Sky". The Pen Tower aims to emphasize the temple dedicated to literature and poetry. The second gate is surrounded by Taoist symbols. Specifically, on the right hand is a symbol of a dragon, on the other hand, in the left is a tiger. These symbols are characterized for the stability of a large construction, which follows the feng shui theory. The last gate has high wall, roof and rolling doors. On the roof, there is  large stone representing for an  inkpot, therefore, this gate was named Dai Nghien (the Writing Pad or the Ink-slab) having the shape of a half of a peach. Nguyen Van Sieu put this stone on the roof so that the shadow of the Pen Tower will fall on the ink stone on May 5th each year.

  In general, the architecture of Ngoc Son Temple has ancient beauty in harmony with nature. It also is a place containing a lot of historical and cultural symbols imbued with the soul and the thought of scholars at that time. Along with Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle Tower, Ngoc Son Temple is a typically cultural and historic monument of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general. This is an ideal attraction in Hanoi for who wants to explore Hanoi in the past.