A Tale of Tay Ho Temple (Phu Tay Ho) in Hanoi

About 4 km away from the center of Hanoi, Tay Ho Temple (also known as Phu Tay Ho in Vietnamese) is considered one of the most sacred places in Hanoi.  TIn 1996, Phu Tay Ho Hanoi was recognized as an official historical and cultural relic by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism.

I. History of Tay Ho Temple

Built in the 17th century, Tay Ho Temple belongs to Tay Ho village, formerly an ancient village of Thang Long citadel, now in Quang An ward, Tay Ho district, Hanoi. It is located in Nghi Tam village, about 4km in the west of the capital city.

Tay Ho Temple worships Lieu Hanh Goddess (Mother Lieu Hanh or Mother of the Nation). Lieu Hanh is one of the four immortals of Vietnam. Mother Lieu Hanh is Quynh Hoa, a princess of heaven, who was banished to earth due to breaking a precious glass.

On earth, she traveled, explored many places, then stopped at Tay Ho Island, discovered this charming place. She had a great merit to help people from many places settle down, eliminate ghosts, punish corrupt officials.

In accordance with legend, Tay Ho Temple was the second meeting place of Lieu Hanh and famous Vietnamese Phung Khac Khoan (known as “Trang Bung”). When Phung Khac Khoan went on a boat trip on the lake, he met Princess Lieu Hanh. Together they wrote the poem “Tay Ho Ngu Quan” (West Lake Senses) which still exists today. 

No one knows how long Princess Lieu Hanh was there, only know that when Phung Khac Khoan returned to look for her, he could not find her. To relieve the nostalgia, he set up a temple for her. That is the thrilling origin of Tay Ho Temple.

II. Structure and Architecture of Tay Ho Temple

The architecture of Tay Ho Temple, including the gates, is in three-dimensional style. The main altar has the largest area in Tay Ho temple complex. 

The front has a 2-storey three-door gate. There is a distich “Tay Ho Hien Tich” in the middle roof, which was meticulously decorated. Four middle doors were carved respectively with the symbols of four seasons (“tu quy”), four noble animals (“tu linh”), and longevity peach shape.

Crossing the three- side gate is the Fang pavilion “phuong dinh” with 2 eaves and 8 tiers. The front house for worshipping was built close to the “phuong dinh”. Son Trang Shrine (mountain manor) was established adjacent to the hall, with 3 stories and 8 curved gradual eave tiers.

Inside, the floor was slightly elevated to worship Guanyin whilst the rest are splited into 3 compartments expressing 3 caves. 

Outside, on the yard of the temple, there are two small shrines worshipping Co (young maiden) and Cau (young boys). Moreover, this temple is full of relics with panels and frescoes at doors, votive tablet, royal seat and altar, all of them are in the style of the 19th century. 

The most notable items of temple are three statues of goddesses placed side by side. Thuong Ngan Mother is the one in green clothes symbolizing the forest, Thuy Mother is in white clothes, symbolizing water; Dia Mother is in yellow clothes, symbolizing the soil.

These three samples constitute Three Kingdoms, explaining the evolution of Vietnamese people, from forests, mountains, and rivers to the plains.

III. What do in Tay Ho Temple

Tay Ho Temple is a famous place for people to pray for fortune, luck and peace for themselves and their family. It is not only a tourist attraction in Hanoi but also a place of religions for Hanoians. 

1. Pray for Fortune and Enjoy the Scenery

The temple attracted a large number of tourists annually for praying for good luck and luck in their businesses as well as for watching the splendid view of the area as well as the West Lake. There are many elderly men sit along the small road to temple and write prayers paper which visitors will use to burn as offerings for the gods.

2. Join Tay Ho Temple Festival

Tay Ho temple festival is celebrated from the 3rd to the 7th of the third lunar month. It is dedicated to the Holy Mother – Princess Lieu Hanh. This is an event featuring procession, incense offering and van singing. On the 6th day and 7th day of the third lunar month, there writing pose contest, and musical instrument playing and singing, chau van singing at Pho Linh Pagoda (Tay Ho Hamlet).

3. Try local street food

When you are visiting Tay Ho Temple, you should also join in a Hanoi street food tour. Especially, you shouldn’t you miss out on local favorites which are shrimp cake (banh tom) and snail noodle soup (bun oc). When you start moving towards the temple through the narrow street several bars with fascinating colorful food stalls are lined up here. It’s an excellent pleasure that complements the taste of your visit!

Hanoi City Tour by Vespa

1 day

Start from:  $119 /person

Small-group Hanoi Seafood Tasting by Walking Tour

0.5 day

Start from:  $35 /person

IV. How to Get to Tay Ho Temple

The easiest way to get to temple is going by a taxi from Ba Dinh Square. You can go along Hung Vuong Street, which leads to West Lake. Then, go around the lake towards the north where the road turns to the peninsula. Tay Ho Temple is on the top of it. If you go by bus, choose the buses with numbers 31, 33, and 55 to get to the temple. 

If you are planning a trip to Hanoi, do not forget to enlist Tay Ho Temple in your travel plan. This is both a relic and sacred monument complex and a beautiful attraction of the capital.

V. Extra Tips

Here are some tips for you when visit this attraction:

• Don’t run freely, talk or comment comfortably …
• Do not wear short skirts, shorts,…
• Do not let children run around, mischief the sacrifices, touch the statues …