4 Buddhist Temples to Explore in Hanoi

One of Vietnam's two most iconic temples. The temple is built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25 m in diameter and 4 m in height, and it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, a Buddhist symbol of purity. The emperor Lý Thái Tông constructed the temple in 1049, in gratitude for having a son.

Dated to the 11th century, this Taoist temple was dedicated to Xuan Wu, one of the principal deities in Taoism. It is one of the Four Sacred Temples that were built in four directions to protect Hanoi from malevolent spirits.

Temple dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. Built in 1070, it hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university. The temple is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese đồng banknote.

Oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, is located on a small island near the southeastern shore of Hanoi's West Lake. The temple was originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Lý Nam Đế. When founded the temple was sited on the shores of the Red River, outside of the Yen Phu Dyke. Due to the river's encroachment, the temple was relocated in 1615 to Kim Ngu islet of West Lake where it is now situated.