Kneeling elephants greet you at the entrance. These stone guardians give Vinh Phuc Temple its name. Welcome to a place of ancient beauty a sanctuary from Hanoi’s bustling streets.
Vinh Phuc Temple stands as one of the four sacred temples of the old Thang Long Citadel. Thang Long means Ascending Dragon. It is the former name of Hanoi. Despite challenges and restorations Vinh Phuc Temple retains its ancient architecture. It attracts visitors from all over.
Built in 1065 during King Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty Vinh Phuc Temple honors Prince Hoang Chan. He was also known as Linh Lang Dai Vuong. The prince was the son of King Ly Thai Tong.
Legend says Prince Hoang Chan helped his father fight against Chinese Tong invaders. He died in battle. To honor him the king ordered this temple built. Residents named it Voi Phuc. Voi Phuc means kneeling elephants. The elephants stand in front.
Another legend says the prince rode a warrior elephant. On command the elephant would kneel so the prince could mount it. This was before heading to the battlefield. After victory the prince vanished into the sky. The temple was built where the elephant knelt. It was named Voi Phuc or Linh Lang. Since it was in Thu Le village it was also called Voi Phuc Thu Le Temple.
The main hall of Vinh Phuc Temple faces east overlooking Thu Le Lake. In front of the yard high stone steps lead to a semicircular well. Its architecture follows feng shui fundamentals. This represents vitality from heaven to earth.
Vinh Phuc Temple stands on a high mound south of the Thu Le Zoo. It offers a nice view of a large beautiful lake. Gardens and ancient trees surround it.
In 1994 Thu Le village residents donated a bell to Vinh Phuc Temple. The bell is 93cm high. Its mouth is 70cm in diameter. The body is embossed with Chinese characters. They read Tay chan thuong dang. This translates to Supreme God Guardian of the West.
Vinh Phuc Temple possesses many signs and parallel sentences. These praise the merits and sacredness of Linh Lang.
In 1962 the Ministry of Culture Sports and classified Vinh Phuc Temple as a national historical and cultural monument.
Every year the Voi Phuc Temple Festival commemorates Linh Lang Genie’s merits. It takes place from the 9th to the 11th day of the second lunar month. Local visitors often come to Vinh Phuc Temple for worshipping.
From the 11th to the 19th century Vinh Phuc Temple underwent several repairs. French colonialists damaged it in 1947. It was restored in 1953. During the Le dynasty Thu Le temple served as the western outpost defending the Royal Capital.
As you leave Vinh Phuc Temple consider the centuries of history held within these walls. Remember Prince Hoang Chan and the kneeling elephants. Their story echoes through time.