12 Oct 2019 - Hanoi Day 1: Ngoc Son Temple and Huc Bridge

Our plan for today was to explore the vicinity around our hotel.  Ngoc Son Temple, or Temple of the Jade Mountain, was the first place where we visited.  Ngoc Son Temple was built in the 18th century on Jade Islet in the centre of Hoan Kiem Lake or the ‘Lake of the Restored Sword’.

We need to pay admission (VND30,000) to visit the temple.  It's free admission for children below age of 15.

The temple is accessible by the iconic Huc Bridge which is a charming scarlet-painted wooden bridge of classical Vietnamese design.  The bridge's name is poetically translated as "Perch of the Morning Sunlight".

The temple attracts many visitors and was built in commemoration of the 13th century military leader Tran Hung Dao who was renowned for his bravery in the battle against the Yuan Dynasty.  Buildings of the temple include the Pen Tower (Tháp Bút), the ink-slab (Dai Nghien), the Moon Contemplation Pavilion (Dac Nguyet) and the Pavilion against Waves (Đình Trấn Ba), all of which have symbolic meaning.

Inside a pagoda are a large bronze bust and other deities. There are altars dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, some ancient artefacts including ceramics and a preserved specimen of a giant turtle found in the lake weighing 250kg.

The lake and the temple offer plenty of trees and shaded spots in which to escape the busy city streets.  The temple opens at 08:00 and closes at 17:00 every day.

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