Monument of King Le Thai To, Hanoi

Strolling by lake Hoan Kiem, down Le Thai Street, we noticed this monument. Out of curiosity, we went to see this place. There was hardly anyone inside.

The place has been preserved quite well till date though there have been few renovations.

History of temple:

• Built in 1896, the place is associated with the legend of returning the magic sword.
• Le Thai To, nicknamed Le Loi was a politician and a military leader who founded the Vietnamese army to fight against the Ming army.
• King of Northern Vietnam decided to commemorate King Le for defeating invaders and gaining independence for the nation.
• After becoming the King, Le Thai To was boating in the lake when suddenly the Turtle God surfaced asking the King to return the sword.
• The image here, points King pointing the sword towards the lake.

information outside the temple

entrance to temple

The complex is according to Shinto axis.

notice for visitors

communal house

Communal house is open on four sides. There are dragons on top of pillars and also on top of the roof. Another small roof sits with a golden gourd, a pot of nectar. It represents heaven, earth and human in Confucianism. Hence, it is a symbol of blessing in Buddhism and Taoism.

the pillar 

Behind the communal house is the pillar on top of which stands a statue of King Le.

 The platform is guarded on both side with stone tigers. The pillar stands on three stone steps which is 0.8 meters high.

The circular pillar reduces in circumference on top.  A 1.2 meter bronze statue of King Le stands on a square base at top. Since, the size of image is small, it had to be placed on a high pillar.

The King wears a long robe and has a sword in his right hand in a gesture of returning the sword to god Kim Quy or the golden turtle in Hoan Kiem lake. He has a square hat on his head.

A poem written by the King in stone carving

information about the poem

joss paper burning place with nghe on top

Monument of King Le Thai To

Nam Huong communal house:

Behind the pillar is Nam Huon communal house. It is one of the oldest temples in town. It was erected in the late Le and Nguyen dynasties to worship the superior gods.

pillar with tiger outside the Nam Huong communal house

inside the temple

pillar on other side of entrance with golden turtle

A very small temple which is not easily noticeable while walking down the road. It can easily be skipped but if you have time, it is worth a visit.