Den Huong Tuong
Huong Tuong Temple, 64 Ma May, Hanoi
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Den Huong Tuong, or Huong Tuong Temple, is a small temple in the Old Quarters of Hanoi, Vietnam. It is located on Hang Buom or Sail Street.
Den Huong Tuong is truly ancient, being over a thousand years old, having been founded in the 9th century, although nothing remains today from its founding days. The temple itself dates back to its 18th and 19th century reconstruction, and still stands as one of the grandest temples in Hanoi's Old Quarters.
Den Huong Tuong is located on a very congested part of the Old Quarters of Hanoi.
Den Huong Tuong was classified a Vietnam national heritage site in 2000. Further restoration and documentation has returned Den Huong Tuong to its original architecture, and this can be appreciated by heritage enthusiasts, as the documentation is displayed on the entrance hall of the temple. The present temple consists of six sections, which are the altar curtain, square house, great house of ceremony, incense chamber, sanctuary and meeting hall.
Den Huong Tuong is one of the four major temples built during the ancient Thang Long Kingdom. Den Huong Tuong is the temple located to the east. It is built to venerate the hero Long Do. In 1010, after moving his capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long, King Ly Thai To elevated Long Do to the position of tutelary deity of his capital. According to the stelae installed within the temple, the deity was "the patron saint of a thousand-mile area, who blesses the country and its people, and who is worshipped by all kings. All the people of the capital and the neighbouring regions enjoy his merit."
I explored Den Huong Tuong with my fiancée (now wife) when we were documenting the sights in Hanoi for AsiaExplorers.
How to go to Den Huong Tuong
Den Huong Tuong is located on Hang Buom in the Old Quarters of Hanoi. To reach it from the Ho Hoan Kiem, go along Hang Dao Street which eventually links to Hang Ngang Street. Look for Hang Buom on your right, then turn in. Den Huong Tuong is on the left side of Hang Buom immediately after its intersection with Hang Giay.
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