Quan Thanh Temple

HANOI, Vietnam — Quan Thanh Temple in the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi next to the southeastern corner of West Lake is a Taoist temple that dates back to the 11th century.

Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi Elephant Statue

Quan Thanh Temple sits on the southeastern corner of West Lake (Ho Tay). While not especially large, the temple is one of the city’s oldest–it dates back to the 11th century–and amongst the four designated as its most sacred.

At the heart of the main shrine is an impressive bronze statue depicting Huyen Thien Tran Vu (usually shortened to Tran Vu and transliterated as Xuan Wu), one the higher-ranking Taoist deities and often known as the God of the North. He’s also of particularly revered by martial artists–the reason that martial arts classes are hosted at the temple. The statue was cast in 1677, stands 13 feet high and weighs in at nearly 4 tons.

Photos of Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi

Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi Shrine Front View
HANOI, Vietnam – A large bronze statue is the centerpiece of the main shrine at Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi. The statue, measuring nearly 4 meters tall and weighing nearly 4 tons was cast in 1677 and depicts Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the God who administered the North and after whom the temple was originally named. The Taoist temple dates back to the 11th century and is located close to West Lake (Ho Tay). Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi Gate
HANOI, Vietnam – The main gate at Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi. The Taoist temple dates back to the 11th century and is located close to West Lake. This gate is one of the more recent additions to the temple, having been added in the last major renovations in the late 19th century. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi Incense Burning
HANOI, Vietnam – Incense sticks burn in an urn at Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi. The Taoist temple dates back to the 11th century and is located close to West Lake. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi Blue Smoke
HANOI, Vietnam – Blue smoke from the burning incense wafts through the air outside Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi. The Taoist temple dates back to the 11th century and is located close to West Lake. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi Interior
HANOI, Vietnam – The ornate interior of one of the outer shrines at Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi. The statue, measuring nearly 4 meters tall and weighing nearly 4 tons was cast in 1677 and depicts Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the God who administered the North and after whom the temple was originally named. The Taoist temple dates back to the 11th century and is located close to West Lake (Ho Tay). Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi Courtyard
HANOI, Vietnam – The main courtyard at Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi. The Taoist temple dates back to the 11th century and is located close to West Lake. Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi Huyen Thien Tran Vo Statue
HANOI, Vietnam – A large bronze statue at Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi. The statue, measuring nearly 4 meters tall and weighing nearly 4 tons was cast in 1677 and depicts Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the God who administered the North and after whom the temple was originally named. The Taoist temple dates back to the 11th century and is located close to West Lake (Ho Tay). Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi Main Shrine from Side
HANOI, Vietnam – A large bronze statue sits in the middle of the main shrine at Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi. The statue, measuring nearly 4 meters tall and weighing nearly 4 tons was cast in 1677 and depicts Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the God who administered the North and after whom the temple was originally named. The Taoist temple dates back to the 11th century and is located close to West Lake (Ho Tay). Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

What to Know Before You Go

Quan Thanh Temple is right next to the West Lake.

Next door is a military base. I don’t recommend taking photos of the military building.

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David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my gear reviews and tips here. More »