Quan Thanh Temple

Throughout its lengthy history, the Quan Thanh temple has had multiple renovations, the most recent of which occurred in 1893 when the main gate and shrine were restored, so the building is a blend of the various styles of the imperial period. Initially, the temple was constructed in the style of Buddhism, the dominant religion in Vietnam at the time. In the meantime, Taoism and Confucianism contended for second place. Despite many ups and downs, the remaining architectural aspects recall the architectural style of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The entryway to the temple is a grand three-door structure built on massive stones and topped with a bell tower. Passing past the gate, visitors will discover a wide courtyard covered by a colossal banyan tree, a characteristic pattern for Vietnamese temples and pagodas. The main house is where statues and carvings are displayed, as well as the shrines. Saint Tran Vu is shown as a 4-meter-tall black bronze statue clutching a snake and a turtle. The snake denotes riches in Vietnamese animal iconography, whereas the turtle represents protection. It is the second largest bronze statue in Vietnam and a masterwork of bronze casting and sculpture in Vietnam.

In addition to bronze casting art, the Quan Thanh temple contains numerous works of art carved on the doors, pillars, and beams, as well as over sixty kanji parallel phrase poems. Authors of these poems are academically accomplished individuals. Notably, on the wooden architectural elements of the temple, topics such as four sacred animals, bats, fish, redwoods, bamboos, daisies, apricot blossoms, flowers, wine gourd, sword, a scene of earthly life, and the Heavens… are exquisitely carved and profoundly influenced by the artistic style of the Le Dynasty. In addition to storing antiques, the temple features a large number of steles relating to its restoration.

Through objects that have been maintained to the present day, Quan Thanh Temple is regarded as a very valued cultural relic, from the variety of carvings on the wooden structures to the sculptures venerated within the temple.