Quan Thanh Temple Hanoi 2026: Tickets, Hours and History

Quan Thanh Temple (Đền Quán Thánh) is an 11th-century Taoist temple at the corner of Thanh Nien Road and Quan Thanh Street, near West Lake in Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi. Known as the Guardian of the North of old Thang Long, it houses a black bronze statue of the god Tran Vu, nearly 4 metres tall, cast in 1677. Entry is 10,000 VND.

Status (checked October 2026): open daily as normal, about 8:00–17:00 (roughly 6:00–20:00 on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month); tickets are 10,000 VND for adults, 5,000 VND for students and seniors, and free for children under 15.

Why Quan Thanh Temple is worth seeing:

One of Thang Long’s Four Guardian Temples: it protected the northern side of the ancient capital.
A masterpiece of bronze casting: the statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu, nearly 4 m tall and weighing about 4 tonnes.
Rare Taoist heritage: one of the most important Taoist temples in Vietnam.
Peaceful courtyard: old trees, stone steles and incense smoke a few steps from busy traffic.
Perfect location: between the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Quan Thanh Temple at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Đền Quán Thánh; also Trấn Vũ Quán / Chân Vũ Quán (真武觀)
Location	190 Quan Thanh Street, at the corner of Thanh Nien Road, Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi
Distance	About 2.5 km from Hoan Kiem Lake; about 1 km from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and from Tran Quoc Pagoda
Known for	Taoist “Guardian of the North” (Tran Bac) of Thang Long; 1677 bronze statue of Tran Vu
Recognition	Special national relic as part of the Thang Long Tu Tran (Four Guardian Temples)
Opening hours	Daily 8:00–17:00; about 6:00–20:00 on the 1st and 15th lunar days
Entrance fee	10,000 VND adults (about US$0.40); 5,000 VND students/seniors; under-15s free
Time needed	20–40 minutes
Best time	Weekday mornings; October–April for cooler weather
Nearby	Truc Bach Lake, West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Imperial Citadel
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor · Wikipedia

Is Quan Thanh Temple Worth Visiting?

Yes, as a short stop on the way between the Mausoleum area and West Lake. The temple is compact, but the bronze statue in the rear sanctuary is one of the most impressive pieces of traditional metalwork in Hanoi, and the courtyard is a calm, atmospheric place to understand Vietnamese folk religion and Taoism.

Best for: travellers interested in history, religion and craftsmanship, and anyone walking from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to West Lake.
Skip if: you only have half a day; prioritise the Temple of Literature or the Old Quarter.
Short on time: 20 minutes is enough to see the gate, courtyard and the statue.

History and Legend of Quan Thanh Temple

The Guardian of the North

According to tradition, the temple was built under King Ly Thai To (reigned 1009–1028), soon after he moved the capital to Thang Long in 1010. It was one of the Thang Long Tu Tran, four temples that guarded the city in the four directions: Bach Ma Temple (east), Kim Lien Temple (south), Voi Phuc Temple (west) and Quan Thanh Temple (north). It is dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the Taoist Dark Warrior of the North, whose symbols are the turtle and the snake.

The legend of Tran Vu

Local legend tells that Tran Vu helped protect the land by subduing evil spirits, including a fox spirit that troubled the area around West Lake. In gratitude, the people built a shrine to him at the northern gate of the citadel, and Tran Vu became the protector of Thang Long’s northern side.

The 1677 bronze statue and later restorations

In 1677, under King Le Hy Tong, bronze casters from the nearby village of Ngu Xa cast a new statue of Tran Vu to replace the older wooden one, together with a large bronze bell. Stone steles in the temple record many restorations over the centuries; the main gate and sanctuary were rebuilt in 1893, and a stele from 1894 records the work. In the 19th century the temple was also known as Chan Vu Quan.

“The bell of Tran Vu”

The temple bell is remembered in a famous Hanoi folk verse about bamboo branches swaying in the wind, the bell of Tran Vu and the cock-crow at dawn in Tho Xuong, one of the best-known poetic images of old Hanoi. Today the temple is ranked as a special national relic, together with the other Four Guardian Temples of Thang Long.

What to See at Quan Thanh Temple

1. The three-entrance gate (Tam Quan)

The two-storey gate faces Thanh Nien Road. Its pillars are topped with phoenixes and mythical nghe creatures, and the upper floor houses the bronze bell cast in 1677.

2. The courtyard and steles

Old trees shade a stone-paved courtyard lined with steles that record the temple’s restorations. It is a quiet spot to pause, away from the traffic outside.

3. The front hall and incense hall

The halls are decorated with lacquered and gilded panels, horizontal boards with Chinese characters, parallel sentences and carved altars. Worshippers bring flowers, fruit and incense, especially on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month.

Painted statues and altar decorations inside Quan Thanh Temple, Hanoi — Painted statues and lacquered altars inside the main hall of Quan Thanh Temple. Photo: Richard Mortel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

4. The bronze statue of Huyen Thien Tran Vu

The highlight is in the rear sanctuary: a black bronze statue of Tran Vu, nearly 4 metres tall and weighing roughly 3.6–4 tonnes, seated on a stone pedestal. One hand rests on a sword around which a snake coils, and his bare feet rest on a turtle. Its fine casting has made it one of the most celebrated bronze statues in Vietnam. A small statue beside it honours the master caster.

5. Bronze chime and ritual objects

Look for the bronze chime (khanh) and other ritual objects donated over the centuries, along with drums, weapons racks and processional palanquins used during festivals.

Ancient bronze chime (khanh) hanging at Quan Thanh Temple, Hanoi — An ancient bronze chime (khánh đồng) at Quan Thanh Temple. Photo: Nguyễn Thanh Quang, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

6. The temple festival

The main festival is held on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, usually in April, with offerings, processions and folk performances.

Quan Thanh Temple Tickets and Opening Hours (2026)

Item	Details
Adult ticket	10,000 VND (about US$0.40)
Students, seniors, visitors with disabilities	5,000 VND
Children under 15	Free
Normal hours	Daily 8:00–17:00
1st and 15th lunar days	About 6:00–20:00
Lunar New Year’s Eve	Open through the night

The temple is managed locally and has no official English website; buy tickets at the counter by the gate (cash only).

How to Visit Quan Thanh Temple, Step by Step

Buy your ticket at the small counter beside the gate on Thanh Nien Road.
Look at the gate and the bell tower before entering the courtyard.
Walk through the front hall and incense hall towards the rear sanctuary.
Spend a few minutes with the bronze Tran Vu statue; photos are usually allowed but be discreet.
Exit and cross the road to Truc Bach Lake, then walk north along Thanh Nien Road to Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Etiquette at Quan Thanh Temple

Cover shoulders and knees; this is an active place of worship.
Speak quietly and do not stand in front of people praying.
Do not touch the altars or offerings, and never climb on the statue’s pedestal.
Place incense only in the burners, and do not use flash in the sanctuary.

How to Get to Quan Thanh Temple

From	How	Time
Hoan Kiem Lake / Old Quarter	Grab or taxi (about 2.5 km) via Hang Than or Phan Dinh Phung	10 minutes
Old Quarter	Walk via Hang Dau, Phan Dinh Phung and Quan Thanh streets	30–35 minutes
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum	Walk north along Hung Vuong and Thanh Nien roads (about 1 km)	15 minutes
Tran Quoc Pagoda	Walk south along Thanh Nien Road (about 1 km)	12–15 minutes
Anywhere in Hanoi	City buses along Quan Thanh and Thanh Nien; check Google Maps for current routes	Varies

More options in our Hanoi transportation guide.

Best Time to Visit Quan Thanh Temple

When	What to expect
October–December	Dry and pleasant, ideal for combining with a West Lake walk
January–April	Cool and sometimes drizzly; Tet and the temple festival (3rd day of the 3rd lunar month)
May–September	Hot, humid and rainy; visit early in the morning
8:00–10:00	Quietest time and good light in the courtyard
1st and 15th lunar days	Crowded with worshippers; lively but busy

Local Expert Tips for Quan Thanh Temple

These tips come from years of arranging Hanoi tours for international travellers.

Visit right after the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and before Tran Quoc Pagoda: the three sights form a natural walking route.
Bring small notes for the ticket and donations; cards are not accepted.
Give your eyes a moment in the dim sanctuary before photographing the statue; it is dark bronze in low light.
Across the road, Truc Bach Lake has cafes and the spot where John McCain’s plane came down in 1967, marked by a small memorial.
Ask your guide to explain the Four Guardian Temples; Bach Ma Temple in the Old Quarter is the eastern guardian.

Quan Thanh Temple vs Tran Quoc Pagoda

	Quan Thanh Temple	Tran Quoc Pagoda
Religion	Taoist temple (Tran Vu)	Buddhist pagoda
Age	11th century (by tradition)	6th century (on its island since 1615)
Highlight	1677 bronze statue, nearly 4 m tall	15 m, 11-storey lotus stupa
Entrance fee	10,000 VND	Free
Setting	Street corner facing Truc Bach Lake	Island on West Lake
Time needed	20–40 minutes	30–45 minutes

Our view: Quan Thanh has the finer interior and the more remarkable single artwork; Tran Quoc has the better setting. They are 1 km apart, so it is easy to see both in an hour.

Nearby Attractions

Tran Quoc Pagoda: Hanoi’s oldest pagoda, 1 km north.
West Lake: cafes, cycling and sunsets.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda: about 1 km.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: about 1.5 km south.
Vietnam Military History Museum: now on Thang Long Avenue, west of the centre.
Dong Xuan Market and the Old Quarter: about 1.5–2 km east.

Sightseeing in Hanoi for First-Time Visitors: Where Quan Thanh Temple Fits

A classic first morning: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda, then Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, with lunch by West Lake. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Literature and end at Hoan Kiem Lake. For evening ideas, see our Hanoi food guide and shopping guide.

Plan your trip with our Hanoi travel guide and Hanoi tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Quan Thanh Temple

1. How much is the entrance fee for Quan Thanh Temple?

Quan Thanh Temple costs 10,000 VND for adults and 5,000 VND for students, seniors and visitors with disabilities; children under 15 enter free.

2. What are the opening hours of Quan Thanh Temple?

Quan Thanh Temple opens daily from 8:00 to 17:00, and roughly 6:00 to 20:00 on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month.

3. Where is Quan Thanh Temple?

Quan Thanh Temple is at 190 Quan Thanh Street, on the corner of Thanh Nien Road in Ba Dinh Ward, facing Truc Bach Lake near West Lake.

4. Who is worshipped at Quan Thanh Temple?

Quan Thanh Temple is dedicated to Huyen Thien Tran Vu, the Taoist god of the North, symbolised by the turtle and the snake.

5. How old is Quan Thanh Temple?

By tradition Quan Thanh Temple dates from the reign of King Ly Thai To in the early 11th century, soon after Thang Long became the capital in 1010.

6. How big is the bronze statue at Quan Thanh Temple?

The black bronze statue of Tran Vu at Quan Thanh Temple is nearly 4 metres tall and weighs roughly 3.6–4 tonnes; it was cast in 1677.

7. Why is Quan Thanh Temple called the Guardian of the North?

Quan Thanh Temple was one of the Four Guardian Temples (Thang Long Tu Tran) and protected the northern side of the ancient capital.

8. What are the Four Guardian Temples of Hanoi besides Quan Thanh Temple?

Besides Quan Thanh Temple (north), the Four Guardian Temples are Bach Ma Temple (east), Kim Lien Temple (south) and Voi Phuc Temple (west).

9. Is Quan Thanh Temple worth visiting?

Yes. Quan Thanh Temple is a short, inexpensive stop with one of Vietnam’s finest bronze statues, and it sits on the route between the Mausoleum and Tran Quoc Pagoda.