“Still waters run deep,” they say. Here at Den Lu Lake, that couldn’t be truer. Though peaceful now, Den Lu Lake whispers tales of ancient Vietnam.
Den Lu Lake Park is open year round. It is accessible 24 hours a day. Take a moment to breathe in the fresh air. Consider the history beneath your feet.
Long ago, this area near Den Lu Lake was a cradle of Vietnamese civilization. Archaeological finds reveal tools from prehistoric times. These tools suggest early Vietnamese people thrived here. The nearby Lu Giang River flowed to the east of Thanh Tri. It eventually met the Red River. The river was once known as the “Buffalo and Ho Tay tale”. Lu Giang meant the “river of dykes.” Locals simply called it the Le River.
Den Lu Lake owes its name to Den Lu Temple, originally called Lu Giang Tu. The temple honors Pham Nguu Tat and Pham To Thu. Den Lu Temple was founded in 1399. Legend says, two millennia ago, local youths joined Nguyen Tam Trinh. They fought against Han invaders. The Hai Ba Trung sisters led this rebellion.
Later, during the early Le Dynasty, Hoang Mai became part of Keo Mo. Keo Mo was a famous area near the capital. Nguyen Trai wrote about its fertile lands in his book “Du Dia Chi”. The Kim Nguu River flowed through the area. It provided water and seafood. The Kim Nguu and To Lich rivers shaped the culture of Thang Long.
Sadly, by the 20th century, these rivers shrank. They became polluted canals. However, Den Lu Temple endured near the lake. During the Le Dynasty, Hoang Mai hosted Tram Lu. It was a major postal station on the north-south route. A stele from 1646 describes the Dinh Suu Nguyen Khac Nhu bridge. It was both beautiful and useful.
Today, Den Lu Lake provides a tranquil escape. Den Lu Temple maintains its cultural importance. Originally, the Den Lu Temple honored Pham Nguu Tat and Pham To Thu. Later, they added Princess Thuy Tinh and Marshal Tran Hung Dao. Tran Quoc Tuan was worshiped at “Den Vua” Temple. After his death in 1399, locals built Den Lu near Den Vua. Since 1954, Den Vua was abandoned. Its objects were moved to Den Lu. Den Lu Temple also honors Duc Thanh Tran.
Local legends say Princess Thuy Tinh helped villagers against floods in the 18th century. Therefore, she is worshiped with Mother Thuy. Mother Thuy is an important goddess. The Den Lu Temple features two ancient inscriptions praising her virtues.
The old Den Lu complex had three main sections. It faced southeast with a semicircular lake. It also had a screen. The front hall had curved roofs. Dragons and other figures decorated the structure. The wooden frame used a unique column style.
Den Lu Temple has been renovated. It now features many small houses. A brick courtyard sits under green trees. Urbanization has shrunk the temple grounds. The street is very close to the screen. New gates feature Chinese-style stone lions. The main hall and small lake retain their old charm.
Den Lu Temple holds valuable artifacts. There are royal decrees, bronze bells, and altars. Visitors can also find couplets and stone steles from the Le and Nguyen dynasties.
The Den Lu Temple festival happens twice a year. It takes place in the third and eighth months. The August festival honors Tran Hung Dao. In 1994, the temple became a national historical and cultural site.
During festivals, locals parade deities. This shows respect for national heroes. On regular days, female deities attract more worshipers. Den Lu Lake and Den Lu Temple remain vital parts of Hanoi’s cultural landscape.