Small Temples, Hanoi

I'm wrapping up my time in Hanoi with a few big posts full of lots of photos! I don't have so much to say here, but enjoy the pictures that Pinky and I took while exploring Hanoi's small temples, which can be found down nearly every one of the city's twisting narrow alleyways.

a small temple near Hoan Kiem Lake

Shrine of Emperor Le Loi, who led Vietnam against Chinese invaders

 

This beautiful shrine was just a short walk from where we stayed, on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake.

It's dedicated to one of Vietnam's greatest national heroes. Notice the calligraphy hanging from the temple. During holidays and festivals, calligraphy masters will write good-luck messages for visitors.

A small Buddhist temple - most temples in northern Vietnam tend to be Taoist

 

Although most temples in northern Vietnam tend to be Taoist, there are a number of important Buddhist temples around the city as well. It's not so common to enter a temple in Hanoi and find a Buddha statue, though! I'm sure there's a way to know from the name of the temple or from the outside, but for me, I never know what kind of temple it will be until I enter!

A small house temple

 

While walking down the street, we saw some prayer flags flying from the second floor of a narrow tube house building. Curiously, we approached. An old man sitting on the side of the road drinking a cup of tea waved us forward, indicating that we could enter the small house, where we found a set of narrow stairs leading to the upper-floor shrine.

A beautiful Buddhist temple

 

temple gates

This temple was one of the biggest Buddhist temples we visited. Stepping through the big, beautiful temple gate, we found a green garden and the main temple hall. Inside the hall it was very dark! It took a moment for our eyes to adjust to the dim light within.

memorial plaques

statues inside the temple

the main Buddha shrine

The temple seemed to be dedicated to Guanyin, the female Buddha and Boddhisatva (Buddhist saint) of compassion. She's really popular in Thailand (especially among the Chinese-Thai population_, but this is the first I've seen of her so far in Vietnam.

Taoist house shrine

 

This ancient temple is called a "house shrine". Unfortunately, I forget its name, but I do remember a little of the history.

house shrine

Besides being a temple, it was also a meeting place, and a location where the French colonial government would buy, sell, and trade goods and silver. Now, it's a Taoist shrine, much like any other. I was especially interested in the offering of a pot of tea, a 1000 dong note, and a cigarette that someone had left.

I don't have much to say about these temples, and I don't know much about their history. The pictures were quite interesting though, so I really wanted to share them here! Pinky and I have moved on to our next city now, so I'm trying to finish up all my posts about Hanoi and share more of my photos of the city.