Ba Kieu Temple

Based on ancient documents and epitaphs left over from the Later Le Dynasty, the temple belonged to Ta Vong village, Tho Xuong district, in the mid-19th century changed to Ha Thanh village, Dong Cac ward, Tho Xuong district, Hanoi province. . The present location of the temple is at Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Ly Thai To Ward, Hoan Kiem District.

This place worships Holy Mother Lieu Hanh and two palace maids named Quynh Hoa and Princess Que Hoa. Thanh Mau Lieu Hanh is one of the Four Immortals along with Tan Vien (God of the Mountain), Thanh Giong and Thanh Chu Dong Tu in the custom of worshiping God, which is worshiped by Vietnamese people.

The temple was first built in the Later Le Dynasty and expanded in the middle of the Canh Tri year of the 17th century. The temple was built from precious materials including Xua wood and stone taken from Nhue mountain in the Asia region of central Vietnam. . Through the hands of skillful craftsmen, Ba Kieu temple really became a rare architectural masterpiece at that time. The temple was built in the shape of a gong, including Dai Bai (Restial Room), Phuong Dinh and the harem.

Experiencing many ups and downs of history, Ba Kieu temple was damaged and has been restored many times but still retains its ancient features like the original. The special value of Ba Kieu temple is created by the relics of the Le Tay Son and Nguyen dynasties that are still preserved to this day. The first and most precious of them is a large bronze bell (94cm high, 45cm mouth diameter) cast in the 8th year of Canh Thinh (1800). The bell was donated by Marquis Nhuan Trach Tran Duy Ung, a public servant under the Tay Son dynasty. There are also four stone axes that are considered important historical records:

- Hung Cong Bia: the stele was erected in the 8th year of Canh Thinh (1800) recording the donation of Tran Duy Ung - a mandarin under the Tay Son dynasty.

- Trung Tu Huyen Chan Tu Bi Ky: records the restoration of Huyen Chan temple (the old name of Ba Kieu temple) built in the 19th year of Tu Duc (1866);

- The statue of Thien Tien Dien. According to the stele "Restored Huyen Chan Tu Bi Ky" erected in the year of Tu Duc 19 (1866), Huyen Chan Nguyen temple belongs to Tho Xuong district and was built during the reign of Le Trung Hung.

- Le clan stele (Le clan stele) built in the 8th year of Bao Dai (1933) recorded that Le Chat Ky and Le Van An were both worshiped by local people.

Currently kept in Ba Kieu temple 27 ordination cards for Saint Mother Lieu Hanh and two fairies Quynh Hoa and Que Hoa. These ordinations are rare and precious artifacts, especially for Mother Goddess worship. Of the 27 ordinations with a letter issued in 1783 or the 44th year of Canh Hung and three other decrees in 1787 under the Le dynasty, three were ordained by Quang Trung under the Tây Sơn dynasty (1792), three others under the Lê dynasty. Canh Thinh dynasty. (1793). During the reigns of Kings Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Dong Khanh and Duy Tan of the Nguyen Dynasty, Thanh Mau was ordained as a beauty and was classified as the supreme Holy Mother.

After the French occupied Hanoi, the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake were expanded. In 1891, a part of Ba Kieu temple was taken to open Francis Garnier street (now Dinh Tien Hoang street) and the ancient temple was divided. The three-door gate of the temple is now located close to the lake, on the side of Ngoc Son temple, the main temple is on the opposite side, on the side of Lo Su.
Ba Kieu Temple is a typical relic for Vietnamese folk beliefs. With outstanding values, Ba Kieu temple together with the complex of Ngoc Son temple relics and Hoan Kiem lake area have been the pride of not only Hanoians but also Vietnamese people forever.

Opening hours: daily, from 07:00 - 16:00