Ngoc Son Temple night tour launched in Hanoi

Under the multicolored light, Pen Tower and Ngoc Son Temple appear shimmering and magical, completely different from the usual ancient appearance seen every day.

On January 31, the Hanoi Management Board for Heritage Sites and Scenic Landscapes launched the Mysterious Night at Ngoc Son Temple experience program to provide more enriching sensations for tourists visiting the capital.

It highlights the beauty of the ancient architecture of Ngoc Son Temple and the legends handed down at the monument.

Pen Tower in the colorful light. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Built in the 19th century, Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of Jade Mountain) is one of Hanoi's must-sees.

This temple is dedicated to Van Xuong De Quan (Wenchang Dijun), a Taoist deity of dignity and happiness, and to General Tran Hung Dao (1228-1300), who earned his place in history by leading the national resistance against the Mongol invaders in the 13th century.

In 1865, a Confucian scholar named Nguyen Sieu was in charge of renovating the temple. He inscribed two large words in Sino-Vietnamese script: Happiness and Prosperity at the entrance, hoping to bring good fortune to the people.

On Ngoc Boi Mountain, there is a large pen-shaped tower built with stones, with 3 inscribed letters "Ta Thanh Thien" (to write on the blue sky), known as Pen Tower.

Ngoc Son Temple is built on Ngoc (Jade) Island in Sword Lake. To visit the temple, people cross the red wooden bridge of The Huc from Dinh Tien Hoang Street.

Dance of the Sun Goddess on the Huc Bridge. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Ngoc Son Temple and Sword Lake are considered sacred places in the hearts of Vietnamese citizens because of their connection to the legend of King Le Loi, one of the country's heroes, who defeated Chinese invaders with a sacred sword given to him by the gods. He later returned the sword to a giant turtle, which took it before disappearing under the water.

The lake still serves as a reminder of the Vietnamese people's desire for peace and their courage and determination to fight for the country's sovereignty and independence.

The legend is revisited in the night tourism program, in which director Le Quy Duong uses sound, light and modern projection technology to convey traditional Vietnamese cultural values to visitors in the most innovative way.

The program combines modern lighting system with traditional dance and music. Photo: The Hanoi Times

According to director Le Quy Duong, Ngoc Son Temple is not only a unique landscape, but also a special relic with historical, political, cultural, artistic and spiritual significance. It is an endless source of inspiration and energy for Hanoi and the whole country.

"I feel very honored and fortunate to be invited to write the script and produce this meaningful program. Meritorious artist Dang To Nhu and I directed it together, creating an exciting journey that gradually leads audiences and tourists to discover the hidden, mysterious beauty embedded in the ancient features of Ngoc Son Temple," Duong said.

The program has five main themes corresponding to separate architectural areas of Ngoc Son Temple relics, including: Ceremony of Giving Holy Words in the Pen Tower Area; Ritual of Welcoming the Spirit of Heaven and Earth in the Huc Bridge Area; Reviving the Legend of King Le Loi's Return of the Sword in the Lake Area in front of Tran Ba Pavilion; Prayer Ceremony in the Main Temple Area; Visiting the Gallery of Specimens of the World's Sea Turtle.

Capitalizing on the ancient architecture of the special national relics site and its related rituals and folklore, the program uses sound, light and modern projection technology to showcase Vietnam's traditional cultural values.

Visitors will learn more about the legend of the Returning Sword. Photo: The Hanoi Times

By participating in the experience program, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in traditional Vietnamese folk cultural rituals right at the place where their ancestors performed these rituals.

According to Nguyen Doan Van, Director of Hanoi's Management Board for Heritage Sites and Scenic Landscapes, the program will be an interesting experience especially for the younger generation and foreign tourists.
"I hoped that Ngoc Son Temple is not only a beauty spot, but also a product of night tourism and cultural industry, interesting enough to attract domestic and foreign tourists," Van said.

The program will be held every Monday to Thursday evening, with each tour under the experimental program lasting 60 minutes and admitting between 60 and 70 visitors.