The preserved turtle specimen on display is estimated to have weighed approximately 250 kilograms when alive.
The temple was expanded in 1865 by Nguyen Van Sieu, a local scholar who added the Pen Tower and the Ink-Slab stand.
The name 'Ngoc Son' translates directly to 'Temple of the Jade Mountain'.
The temple foundations originally belonged to a pagoda built during the early Le Dynasty, though the current layout dates to the 19th century.
The site commemorates three separate figures, blending Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist influences in its iconography.
The 'Huc' bridge translates to 'Morning Sunlight Bridge', designed to catch the first rays of dawn.
Ngoc Son Temple is situated on Jade Island within the northern portion of Hoan Kiem Lake, connected to the mainland by the iconic red wooden Huc Bridge. Originally constructed in the 19th century, the site honors General Tran Hung Dao, the scholar Van Xuong, and the physician La To. The architecture features traditional Vietnamese elements, including triple gates and distinct tiered roof structures. Within the main sanctuary, visitors can observe a large preserved specimen of a Yangtze giant softshell turtle recovered from the lake. The complex serves as both a place of worship and a historical landmark documenting local resistance against Mongol invasions. It is the most frequently visited temple in Hanoi due to its central location in the Old Quarter district. The surrounding lake is synonymous with the legend of Emperor Le Loi and the return of a magical sword to a Golden Turtle God.
From the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake looking toward the red Huc Bridge and the temple entrance.
Visit during the early morning to avoid peak pedestrian traffic on the narrow access bridge.
Walk around the perimeter of the lake after your visit to view the temple from different angles.
Keep a quiet demeanor as the temple remains an active site of daily local worship.
Do not attempt to feed the wildlife in the lake or climb on the decorative stone railings.
Visitors must dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered; remove hats and maintain a respectful, quiet tone inside the halls.
