Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi: the Tran Vu bronze statue by West Lake
Quan Thanh is a Taoist temple in Ba Dinh district, on the edge of West Lake, about 3 km north of Hoan Kiem Lake. It is dedicated to Tran Vu, the guardian god of the North, and is known for his large black bronze statue from the 17th century. The visit is short, 20 to 30 minutes, and the ticket is a token amount. The temple normally opens daily from 8:00 to 17:00 for 10,000 VND, but these figures come from travel guides, not an official website, so carry a little cash. It combines well with Tran Quoc Pagoda and West Lake, a few minutes further north.
Highlights
The entrance gate
The white multi-tiered gate on the street announces the temple. It is worth a few photos before you go in, especially early in the morning when the street is still quiet.
The statue of Tran Vu
In the main hall, a black bronze statue about 4 m high (3.96 m according to guides), cast in 1677, shows Tran Vu, the god of the North associated with the turtle and the snake. It is the temple's main piece, and incense offerings are constant.
The reliefs and the courtyard
The temple was restored several times, notably in 1893. In the courtyard, altars, bonsai, incense burners and stone reliefs give an idea of Vietnamese Taoist architecture, rarer in Hanoi than Buddhist pagodas.
The lake next door
Step out onto Thanh Nien street: West Lake on one side, Truc Bach Lake on the other, separated by the causeway. It is a pleasant walk to Tran Quoc.
Practical info
Tips
- The adult ticket is 10,000 VND according to the guides consulted in October 2026; some sources mention a reduced fare or free entry for children, with no consensus. No official website could be checked: look at the sign at the ticket window. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and keep your voice down in the Tran Vu hall. On the 1st and 15th day of the lunar calendar the temple gets busier and, according to several sources, opens longer: more worshippers, more incense, and less calm for photos.
How to get there
Quan Thanh street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi (south-east corner of West Lake). By Grab or taxi from the Old Quarter, allow 10 to 15 minutes; on foot from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, about 20 minutes. Tran Quoc Pagoda is about 1.5 km further north.
Opening hours
Nearby
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