Bach Ma Temple

76 P. Hàng Buồm, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Now Open

Description

Bach Ma Temple, situated in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, is a significant historical landmark. The modest Bach Ma Temple is located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The Bach Ma Temple is usually regarded as Hanoi’s oldest temple. According to one account, the temple was constructed during the time of Emperor Ly Thai To, who ruled from 1009 to 1028. Alternatively, the temple may have been constructed earlier in the 9th century under the supervision of a Chinese Mandarin and renamed by Emperor Ly Thai To.

The Bach Ma Temple consists of four shrines. The White Horse Shrine is the most notable of these shrines. Indeed, “Bach Ma” translates to “White Horse.” According to mythology, Emperor Ly Thai To had significant difficulty erecting the city walls due to the frequently shifting foundations caused by the swampy ground. According to mythology, a white horse appeared and advised the Emperor on where and how to create impregnable city walls.

A second shrine in the temple honors the Long Do God. Again, at least two contradictory interpretations exist about who Long Do was. One interpretation, and this is the explanation provided on the information board at the Bach Ma Temple, is that the Long Do God is one of the many deities in Vietnamese Folk Religion and the god of Long Do mountain. The alternative legend holds that Long Do is a mystery figure who appeared one night to Cao Pian, the 9th century Chinese Mandarin believed by some to have constructed the temple, and that Pian constructed the temple to please Long Do following the onset of a violent storm the next evening.

The third shrine of the Bach Ma Temple is dedicated to Mu Thoi, a more recognizable Vietnamese Folk Religion deity. In Vietnamese Folk Religion, Mu Thoi is the goddess of the heavenly water palace, one of the four spiritual worlds.

The temple’s fourth shrine, dedicated to the great Chinese philosopher Confucius, was added later. The Confucius shrine was erected to the temple in 1839 amid extensive repairs.

Other notable aspects of the temple include the large wooden posts and rafters that support the structure, the intricate gold leaf design on the wooden paneling, and the courtyard garden.

Opening hours: Open everyday during 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM; 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Entrance fee: Free

Architecture Of Bach Ma Temple

The Bach Ma Temple has been recognized as an extraordinary structure and has undergone numerous restorations over the reign of various dynasties. Its layout was derived from the Chinese character for “three.” The exterior of the temple resembles an 8-roof community village home adorned with antique patterns that bore a striking resemblance to Hoi An fine arts. The majority of the pillars and wooden beams are intricately carved, and the antique portraits are expertly engraved, lending Bach Ma Temple an air of nostalgic grandeur.

It is thought that French colonialists and troops in the 19th century lacked the confidence to vandalize or even relocate the temple’s property due to its sanctity. As a result, Bach Ma remains a representative example of the architectural concepts and styles of the Nguyen Dynasty.

In the interior hall, there is an unorthodox composition of ironwood tie-beams that plays a crucial function in both decorative artistic expression and bearing capability. In addition, there are numerous altars with intricate engravings, not to mention priceless artifacts such as paintings, imperial titles, old weapon fragments, stone stelae, metal bells, and palanquins.

History of Bach Ma Temple

The 9th-century Bach Ma Temple served as a center of worship for Long Do, the ancient god of Hanoi. According to legend, Long Do the God earned considerable credit for defeating the Tang Empire’s General Cao Bien’s practice of witchcraft.

Previously, the temple was known as Lon Do. In 1010 A.D., King Ly Thai To relocated the imperial capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long (present-day Hanoi), which is now known as Bach Ma.

Numerous historical documents indicate that the King repeatedly failed to construct the new citadel without providing any explanations. When he instructed his courtier to pray, he observed a white horse depart the Lon Do temple, meandering and leaving footprints before vanishing. From that point on, Ly Thai To ordered the construction of the citadel walls along the designated paths, and he was able to move on until completion. Since then, he has decided to rename Lon Do Temple to Bach Ma, which means “white horse.”

How To Get To Bach Ma Temple

The Bach Ma temple is located in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, making its location somewhat difficult to locate due to the city’s tight and congested streets.

From the center of Hanoi, you can travel by car or motorbike for around 30 minutes from Nguyen Thai Hoc to South Gate, then turn onto Phung Hung Street, Vientiane Street, and you will see Bach Ma Temple and Hang Buom Street.

Or, you can travel by bus for approximately 8,000 VND each hour. Take bus 18, 32, or 34 for approximately 40 minutes, alight at Tran Nhat Duat, then walk around 500 meters to arrive.

If the city’s streets are fairly congested, it takes an average of 30 minutes to reach the Bach Ma Temple by motorbike or automobile.

Buses are more convenient and convenient for large groups. Purchase a ticket for the number 18 or 32 bus, get off at Tran Nhat Duat station, and the Bach Ma Temple will be 500 meters away.

If you want to take your time and see more of the city, a pedicab is the ideal option. Pedicab drivers are undoubtedly intimately familiar with the city’s streets.