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

About 7.5 km by road from the centre of Hanoi, Tay Ho Temple (also known as Phu Tay Ho) is considered one of the most sacred places in the city: a working shrine to Mother Lieu Hanh on a peninsula in West Lake. Worth a short stop; skip the 1st and 15th of the lunar month, when the courtyard fills.

Is Tay Ho Temple worth visiting?

Yes, if you want to see a shrine in daily use. Mother Goddess worship joined UNESCO’s intangible heritage list in 2016, and Hanoians come to Phu Tay Ho to pray.

“Tay Ho” also names the lakeside neighbourhood north of the centre: see the West Lake guide and the best areas to stay in Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple are other heritage sites by the lake.

I. History of Tay Ho Temple

Tradition dates Tay Ho Temple to around the 17th century, though some sources say it may be later. It was recognised as a historical-cultural relic on 13 February 1996.

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 jade cup.

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

According to 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. In the story the two traded verses, and a poem called “Tay Ho Ngu Quan” is credited to them. 

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 legend of how the temple began.

II. Structure and Architecture of Tay Ho Temple

The front has a 2-storey three-door gate. There is an inscription “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.

Past the gate is the pavilion “phuong dinh”, with two storeys and eight roofs. 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.

In the Son Trang hall, Guanyin is worshipped upstairs, and three compartments below represent three 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. 

Worshippers here pray to the three Mothers of the Tam Toa Thanh Mau: Heaven, the Mountains and Forests (Thuong Ngan), and the Waters.

III. What to Do at 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 success in their businesses as well as for watching the view of the area as well as the West Lake. As of February 2025, petition writers work in a separate area in red ao dai, and shops must post their prices. An offering tray costs about 200,000–300,000 VND and must be vegetarian.

2. Join Tay Ho Temple Festival

Tay Ho temple festival is celebrated on the 3rd day of the third lunar month, the death anniversary of the Holy Mother – Princess Lieu Hanh, and again on the 13th day of the eighth lunar month. This is an event featuring procession, incense offering and van singing. On the 6th day and 7th day of the third lunar month there are art performance contests and 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 miss out on local favorites which are shrimp cake (banh tom) and snail noodle soup (bun oc). Banh Tom Hoa Nha, in an alley opposite the main gate, was reported in October 2026 to charge 230,000 VND for ten banh tom eaten in and from 60,000 VND for a bowl of bun oc.

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IV. How to Get to Tay Ho Temple

The easiest way to get to the temple is going by a taxi or Grab. It is about 7.4–7.8 km by road from Hoan Kiem Lake (4 km is the straight-line figure) and about 23 km from Noi Bai Airport. Dang Thai Mai Street was being widened in early 2026, so roadworks may remain near the temple.

When is Phu Tay Ho most crowded?

The busiest days are the 1st and 15th of each lunar month and the festival days. At Tet the management board estimated more than 10,000 visitors a day in 2019. Around Tet the temple has closed early, at 5 pm on Tet days (2020 report). For a calmer visit, pick another day.

V. Extra Tips

Here are some tips for your visit:

• Don’t run, talk loudly or joke around.
• Do not wear sleeveless tops, short skirts, shorts,…
• Do not let children run around, mischief the sacrifices, touch the statues …
• Fortune sticks and fortune-telling are banned (2020 report).
• At Tet 2019 plainclothes police worked among worshippers against pickpockets; keep your phone and wallet close.

Sources: Hanoi Moi and VietnamPlus, February 2025; no official website was found