Ngoc Son Temple

Right in the middle of Hoàn Kiếm Lake, surrounded by incense smoke and a peaceful atmosphere. It feels spiritual and calm, especially with the lake reflections and the red bridge leading inside. The story behind the temple and the lake is fascinating: according to legend, a magical turtle gave a sword to a hero to defend the country, and later the sword was returned to the turtle in the lake. The turtle symbolizes wisdom and longevity, which makes it such an important cultural symbol for Vietnam. Inside the temple, there are two preserved giant turtles on display. They’re incredibly rare and sacred, but there’s almost no information about them no details like their names, size, or age. It would’ve been nice to learn more, especially since there are so few of these turtles left in the world. One turtle was very well preserved clean, shiny, and clearly cared for. But the other one sadly had spider webs and dead insects around it. It made me a bit disappointed because it’s such a special part of Vietnamese history, and visitors pay to see it. I think it deserves better maintenance. Still, overall, it’s a beautiful and safe place to visit, even if you’re traveling solo. Worth seeing for the view, the history, and the cultural story just hope they’ll take better care of those legendary turtles.

The red-lit bridge in the evening offers a completely different and beautiful view, making the place feel even more special. The temple itself is small yet peaceful, set amidst calm surroundings and a lovely lake. The preserved turtles are closely connected to Vietnam’s history and add to the cultural significance of the site. Ngoc Son Temple is definitely a good place to visit while in Hanoi.

​Ngoc Son Temple, situated on Hoan Kiem Lake, is a compact and historically significant site ideal for a short cultural visit. ​Key Highlights ​Deity & Focus: The temple is primarily dedicated to the worship of Wénchāng Dì, the God of Culture and Literature. ​Historic Significance: The main exhibit features two preserved specimens of the rare giant turtle, central figures in the famous Vietnamese Legend of the Restored Sword (Lê Lợi's sword). ​Visitor Logistics ​Admission: The entry fee is 50,000VND per person. ​Time: Visitors typically spend approximately 30 minutes exploring the grounds. ​Services: An elderly artisan offers traditional calligraphy services (Shūfǎ) for 200k VND per piece. Sample books with Chinese characters and English descriptions are available for selection. ​Facilities: A small restroom is located within the temple complex.

Ngọc Sơn Temple is a peaceful little temple on a small island in Hoàn Kiếm Lake. You cross the iconic red bridge and suddenly leave the noise of the city behind. It’s calm, shaded and charming, with traditional architecture and beautiful lake views. Not large, but very atmospheric — a lovely place to wander, take photos and enjoy a quiet moment in the heart of Hanoi.

We enjoyed this place from the outside, around the lake. If you have time, it’s nice to check out the temple from the inside. It’s flocking with tourists. Early hours are the best time to visit to avoid big tour groups. One has to dress appropriately to visit the temple. (Knees and shoulders covered). One of the prominent places in the Hanoi Old Quarter.

Only reason I give 4 stars is this is one of two temples dedicated Confucius and of the two this one is far more crowded with tourists, plus the other temple is nearly 800 years older. This temple was constructed in 1800s while the temple of literature (also a temple dedicated to Confucius) was first built in 1070. If you are short on time and staying in the old quarter this is still a great place to see as it is centrally located and in a beautiful lake setting however if you have more time I recommend going to the temple of literature. You can still get a good view of this temple from the lakeside trail without paying to enter, just somthing to consider! Still very beautiful and spiritual!

Beautiful temple in the middle of lake. Very serene atmosphere. Huge turtles preserved chambers. I like the story of turtle saving the king by providing the sword to win the war.

Our family had the most wonderful discovery right in the middle of Hanoi: the Ngoc Son Temple. This place is truly magical, or as we say, nakakagigil (excitingly captivating)! It feels so mystical and serene as it sits right in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Walking across that gorgeous red bridge (Huc Bridge) to get there was an experience in itself. You immediately feel a profound sense of peace and history once you step inside. What made it extra special for our pamilya was the location. Imagine—it was only a three-minute walk from our hotel in the Old Quarter! We were so lucky to have this mystical spot right on our doorstep. Visiting Ngoc Son Temple was a quiet, spiritual moment amidst the city's hustle. It truly felt like we found a hidden gem at the very heart of Hanoi. A must-see for anyone visiting the city!