Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi

Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi

Long Bien Bridge

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“Hanoi” - the name means “surrounded by river” is the city of ponds, lakes, rivers and bridges. If Hoan Kiem Lake with special green water and the red bridge named The Huc is the symbol of an elegant and charming ancient city; Red river and Long Bien bridge may be seen as the symbol of courageous capital in wars. 

Long Bien Bridge History:

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The Long Bien Bridge was constructed from 1989 to 1902 during French’s occupation of the country. Though the bridge was designed by French, it was built directly by Vietnamese workers with indigenous construction materials like woods from Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa province, cement from Hai Phong, Long Tho lime from Hue.

The bridge was formerly named Paul Doumer by the French, but Vietnamese have called it Long Bien or Cai River Bridge for a long time, and Long Bien becomes the most popular name of the bridge. Originally, Long Bien had 19 spans and it was the first steel bridge across Red river in Hanoi, and one of four greatest bridges in the world at the time it was built.

Long Bien was considered the pride, symbol of architecture in the Far East. The bridge was a connection point to transport tons of rice from Northern and Northern Central area of Vietnam to Dien Bien Phu battle, and contributed to the win of Vietnam army against French, 1954.

More than 100 years with decades of war, Long Bien Bridge was bombed many times by air attacks by American army in 1967, 1972; and many spans of the bridge were destroyed. The left spans still remaining today remind us of an unforgettable past. The bridge, hence, is not only a traffic construction, a nice architecture, but also a living historical relic.

Long Bien Bridge Travel Guide:

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Today, Long Bien is only one of the five bridges crossing the Red river of Hanoi. However, it may be the most special bridge with unique historic, architectural, and cultural value. It is the only bridge in Hanoi where all the riders have to go in the left hand side, where tourists can take a walk and taste mouthwatering desserts offered by vendors (see 5 street vendors you should not miss out in Hanoi), where Hanoians can buy fresh vegetable or fish for the dinner from the small afternoon market on the bridge.

Many people living and visiting Hanoi said that Long Bien Bridge is the best place to look at the sunrise or the sunset and taking nice photos of alluvial patch. Many brides and grooms choose Long Bien Bridge as nice background in their wedding albums. Many tourists come here to visit a historical construction and view nice scenery. Many youngsters, teenagers take nice photos to keep memories of youth on the bridge or in the middle of alluvial patch with full of green tree. Many vendors and housewives still come here every afternoon for an open air market.

And many trains pass the bridge each day.

That way, Long Bien – the oldest bridge in Hanoi is still living and sharing the daily life with Hanoians silently. If you have a chance to visit Hanoi, do not forget to take a walk on Long Bien Bridge for sight seeing, feeling the daily life of Hanoians, and enjoying peaceful moments at the present but not forgetting memorable past.

How to get here

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You can rent a motorbike and remember go on the left hand side of the bridge, or walk from the centre of Hanoi to here ( just more then 1km from the Old Quarter to Long Bien bridge).

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Kim Lien Pagoda in Hanoi

Kim Lien Pagoda in Hanoi

Kim Lien Pagoda is located in Quang An Village, Tay Ho District, Hanoi. Kim Lien Pagoda was originally built on Nghi Tam Peninsula, on the bank of West Lake. The pagoda was part of the former Tu Hoa Palace of the Ly Dynasty.

Kim Lien Pagoda Hanoi

Princess Tu Hoa is daughter of King Ly Than Tong. He ordered to built Tu Hoa Palace then sent his daughter and her imperial maids to this area to help them understand and venerate their position in the society.

Formerly, it was Dong Long Pagoda and built in the 13th century. In 1771, the pagoda was renovated and changed its name to Kim Lien, which has been used since then.

Kim Lien is composed of three pavilions, each of which has 2 roof layers and the appearance of being slightly curved and supple. Apart from its nice disposition, the pagoda has a gate of sophisticated and intricate architecture. 

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Hanoi Flag Tower

Hanoi Flag Tower

Flag Tower is on Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; near Ba Dinh Square. Hanoi Flag Tower, also called Cot Co, is one of the rare architectural works in Hanoi that was fortunate enough to not be destroyed by the French administration between 1894 and 1897.

Flag Tower in Hanoi

It was used by French troops as an observation tower and communication station between command headquarters and adjacent military posts.

It was built in 1812 and is composed of three platforms and a tower. The words Nghenh Huc, meaning "to welcome dawn's sunlight," are inscribed on the eastern door. The western door bears the two words Hoi Quang, meaning "to reflect light," and the southern door, Huong Minh, meaning "directed to the sunlight."

The tower receives sunlight through 36 flower-shaped and six fan-shaped windows.

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Co Loa Historical Site in Hanoi

Co Loa Historical Site

This relic of an ancient urban area and military citadel is located in Co Loa Village, Dong Anh District, Hanoi.

Co Loa Historical Site

Throughout history, Co Loa was nominated twice as the capital of Vietnam: the first time during the An Duong Vuong era in the late 3rd and early 2nd century BC, and the second time during the Ngo Vuong Quyen reign in the middle of the 10th century.

The three ramparts archeological relics from the Bronze and Iron ages are 16km long. The complex of religious and commemorative relics includes Ngu Trieu Di Qui Communal House, My Chau Temple, and Bao Son Pagoda. Mystical relics such as Ngoc Well, Flag Tower, and Ngu Xa Castle make of this area a culturally and historically interesting area.

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Ho Chi Minh Museum

Ho Chi Minh Museum

Ho Chi Minh Museum is located at 3 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; near Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. The museum is a four-story building covering a total area of 100ha and designed in the shape of a lotus flower as a symbol of President Ho’s noble character.

Ho Chi Minh Museum  in Hanoi

This museum was completed on 9 May 1990 for the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday.
Visiting hours:
From 8:00 to 11:00 and from 13:30 to 16:30 daily except Monday and Friday.

The main showroom displays 117,274 documents, articles, pictures and exhibits illustrating the historical events that took place during President Ho Chi Minh’s life, as well as important events that occurred in the rest of the world since the end of the 19th

The museum contains other rooms such as a library, a large hall, meeting rooms and research rooms.

Since its opening, the museum has welcomed millions of domestic and foreign visitors. It is open from 8 am to 11 am and 1.30pm to 4.30 pm daily except Monday and Friday. Photography is forbidden. Cameras and bags must be left at the reception

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Fine Art Museum in Hanoi

Fine Art Museum in Hanoi

This very worthwhile arts museum features Vietnamese art of the 20th century, up to the 1970s or so. While the presentations are a bit crowded and rustic, there are explanations in English.

Fine Art Museum Hanoi

Much of the art is outstanding, although you won't really see any works of an innovative or controversial nature. Entire rooms are devoted to the Vietnamese style of lacquer and silk painting, woodblock, and folk art. Techniques are explained a nice touch. 

Interesting also are the modern works of wood statuary interspersed among the exhibits. Some are patriotic in nature, depicting daily life or events during the war or done in Soviet-influenced caricature with heavy-limbed peasants striking triumphant poses or depictions of the brotherhood of the army and the working class. 

The top floors are devoted to prehistoric artifacts and Buddhist sculptures, some of which are huge and impressive. Don't miss the famous 11th-century goddess of mercy (Kouan Yin), with her thousand arms and eyes, in the far-left room on the second floor. Best of all, the museum itself is in an old colonial, and, unless there's a tour group milling around, you can stroll around in relative serenity and rest on one of the many benches provided (no napping). The gift shop has some modern works of well-known artists for sale.

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Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hanoi

Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hanoi

Vietnam Women’s Museum is located in the centre of Hanoi on Ly Thuong Kiet St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The Vietnam Women’s Museum covers a 4,500m² area planted with beautiful trees.

Vietnam Women’s Museum

It was open on the 20th October 1995 on the 65th anniversary of the Vietnamese Women’s Association’s establishment.

Documents and objects are displayed and carefully preserved and maintained in this place, expressing the role of women in the process of the development of the Vietnamese nation. The museum is also a place for cultural exchange for Vietnamese and international women with the goal of creating “equality, development, and peace”. The exhibits are displayed on an area of 1,200m² on two-storey building; the museum organized around five main themes:

- Vietnamese women in Vietnamese community.
- The involvement of Vietnamese women in the fight for national independence and national construction.
- The Vietnamese Women’s Association and its struggle to liberate women.
- The culture of Vietnamese women expresses through traditional handicraft products.
-Women costumes of the 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups.

The museum is open daily except Monday, from 8 am to 4 pm. The entrance fee is 10,000VND. 

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Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi

Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi

Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on an islet of West Lake in Hanoi. Tran Quoc Pagoda is one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam and a cultural symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism.

It is said that, the pagoda was built under the reign of King Ly Nam De (544-548) under its original name of Khai Quoc (National Founder). It was originally built on the bank of the West Lake and the Red River. In the time of King Le Kinh Tong (1600-1618), the pagoda was removed to the Kim Ngu (Golden Fish) Islet due to the river bank crumbling and was renamed Tran Quoc (National Defence).

Behind the worshipping shrine is the Buddhist trinity followed by corridors, ten shrines and the belfry. In the pagoda, there are many valuable statues, such as the red lac­statue trimmed with gold of Sakyamouni Buddha's Parinirvana and many ancient stelae with the old- one made in 1639 by Doctoral Law- Nguyen Xuan Chinh recording the pagoda's history.

In 1959, on his visit to Vietnam, Indian Prime Minister Razendia Prasat offered the Pagoda a bodhi tree as a gift. The plant was grafted from the holy Bodhi tree where Sakyamuni sat in zen (meditation) position 25 centuries ago. Now the Bodhi tree is green and luxuriant, shading part of the pagoda's yard.

As a religious relic among spectacle ­scenery, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a favourite stop-over of many foreign visitors and pilgrims. 

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Pavilion of the constellation of Literature

Literature Temple in Hanoi

Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature is in Temple Literature on Van Mieu Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi.
Characteristic: Khue Van Cac, or Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature, was built under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945).

The artifacts, collected during the recent excavation drives around Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi proved the architecture of this site belongs to the Ly (1010-1225) and Tran (1225-1400) dynasties.

Constellation of Literature in Hanoi

Life of the students in olden times is reflected through these artifacts and seemed to be simple and pure compared to that of the city dwellers. Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (National College) now preserves 82 steles engraved with the names of 1,306 doctors who obtained the doctoral titles at 82 royal examinations, held from 1442 to 1779.

Although Van Mieu was built long ago, some architectural complexes in this area were erected much later. One of them was Khue Van Cac. In 1802, Gia Long took the throne and built the capital in Hue. In 1805, the Commander of the Northern Citadel, Nguyen Van Thanh, ordered the construction of Khue Van Cac at Van Mieu. This project was carried out at the same time as the erection of the surrounding walls around Van Mieu in 1833.

The pavilion was a two-storey complex made of wood and bricks, which is mirrored on the Thien Quang Well. Located in the third courtyard (from the front gate), the pavilion's ground floor is empty with four brick pillars of 85cm x 85cm engraved with designs of clouds. The pillars stand on a square base, 6.8m x 6.8m, which is covered with Bat Trang bricks. The upper floor, made of wooden frames, stands on four brick pillars, with four round windows facing the four directions and having rays like the sun. This floor is the symbol of the brilliant constellation that is shining. The Oriental people consider this star as a symbol of literature. On this floor, the balustrade is supported by engraved wooden pieces and a gilt board with three letters of Khue Van Cac hanging on the wall.

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Ancient houses in Hanoi

Ancient houses in Hanoi

The ancient quarter is located on an area of about 100ha, within the territory of Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi City.

Characteristic: Geometrically, the ancient quarter has a shape of triangle, whose peak is constituted by Hang Than Street, eastern side by damp, western side by the streets of Hang Cot, Hang Dieu, Hang Da and based by the axis of Hang Bong, Hang Gai, Cau Go Streets.

Hanoi Ancient houses

According to the assessment of some historians, the ancient quarter made its appearance immediately after the Thang Long's establishment, i.e. nearly a thousand years ago. Most of houses presently existing within the ancient quarter's borders have, however, their age of only more than 100 years. In this quarter, those houses that keep an air of anxiety are no longer so numerous. It is just the phenomena of extension that has sharply and negatively deformed its spatial appearance. Under such circumstances, the embellishment and preservation of this quarter has required great efforts.

The houses at 87 Ma May and 38 Hang Dao are two projects of embellishing ancient houses, launched at the occasion of 990th anniversary of Thang Long - Hanoi. They became now a tourist spot to be presented to visitors in terms of architectural value of Hanoi's ancient houses.

The house at 87 Ma May is a place to present the typical architecture of Hanoi’s ancient houses. The ancient houses have generally a small, pretty form and appearance like the Vietnamese people themselves. Following the former feudal ideology, houses were not allowed to be higher than the shoulders of the King’s palanquin, because when the King was in his palanquin, nobody was allowed to see the face of His Excellency.

The ancient houses had a tube - like shape. Their width is usually narrow, sometimes only of 2m, while their length can amount up to 60 - 70m. Under such circumstances, to get enough light and fresh air, there is always a yard between houses. The principal construction material used is wood. However, during 100 recent years, people began to use bricks and traditional mortar made from honey and leaves to build walls or stick tiles on slope roofs. The window bars, doors and roof rafters are all decorated with dragon - or phoenix - shaped vignettes, and other designs.

The house at 87 Ma May was identified to be about 110 years old. Originally, Ma May Street consisted of two shorter streets: the first section was Hang May street, where goods made from rattan were marketed, and the second one constituted a part of Hang Ma Street with things for sacrifices made from paper. In this street there were numerous businessmen, both domestic and foreign. In 1954, five Chinese families came and installed themselves in this house. That is why the house was strongly deformed, and the traditional architecture was damaged.

Originally, the ancient house at 38 Hang Dao was constructed as communal house of Dong Lac - a communal house of the former marketplace for silk brassieres. It was built under the Le Dynasty (17th century). During the years of war, it was heavily damaged. Around 1856 (year of Binh Thin under the King Tu Duc reign), it was restored for the first time. In 1941 (15th year of the King Bao Dai reign), the communal house was rebuilt as a two - floor construction. The owner’s family lived and made their business in the ground floor, while the first floor was reserved for the altar. In 1953, the house became a shop with miscellaneous goods.

The latest restoration was conducted in the period from February 2000 till April 2000. The house at 38 Hang Dao was chosen as a place for presenting the traditional construction techniques combined with modern restoration techniques. The construction materials used here are composed of reinforced concrete and wood: floors are made from concrete, while stairs are made from concrete and covered with wood.

The doors were designed in such a manner that the central one is higher, while the side ones are lower, following the architecture of ancient pagodas and communal houses: the central door was reserved for the nobles (members of the royal family, mandarins, officials), while the side ones for the mobs. The sanctuary on the first floor was restored just as its origin.

The vignettes on the handrails were kept the same as the available original patterns. The house at 38 Hang Dao has become not only a tourist spot but also a location of the headquarters of the Management Unit of Hanoi’s ancient quarter. At this address you can also get more information on ancient streets and ancient

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West Lake in Hanoi

West Lake in Hanoi

West Lake is the biggest lake in Hanoi, with an area of 500 ha and circumference of more than 12km. The lake is surrounded by 17 kilometers of Lac Long Quan, Au Co, Nghi Tam, Yen Phu, Thanh Nien and Thuy Khue streets, which run through the famous flower villages of Ngoc Ha, Nghi Tam, Tay Ho, Quang Ba and Nhat Tan.

West Lake - Hanoi

It is dotted with many famous historical, cultural and architectural vestiges of Hanoi. Geographically, West Lake is a remnant of the Red River. It bears many names, each related to a legend. According to one, in a cave in the north of Thang Long citadel lived a nine-tailed fox. It had lived for more than thousand years and could transform itself to a man. At that time, Man people lived at the foot of the Tan Vien Mountain. The spirit of the mountain taught them to grow rice, weave cloth to make clothes and construct house from timber and grass. The people were named The Man people wearing white clothing (Bach Y Man). The fox changed himself into a man and tempted people into the cave. People led a very hard life so they entreated the help of King Lac Long Quan who caused the water to rise, destroying the cave.

The place became a big lake called Fox Carcass Lake (Ho Xac Cao). Another legend has it that in the Ly Dynasty there was a giant who knew magic. He had successfully healed King Ly Than Tong. Then he was invited to China to treat the Chinese king. He was successful again and to thank him the king offered him gold and shiver. He refused, instead asking for enough black bronze to fill his small bag. At first the king agreed, but even his nine stores could not fill the small bag. He demanded his bronze back but the giant took his bag to the coast, used his hat as a boat and his cane as an oar to get home. Then he distributed most of the black bronze to the bronze casting workers, only keeping a small amount to cast a bell. Surprisingly, when he struck the bell, as black bronze is the mother of gold, a golden buffalo from the Chinese king store ran all the way to the south to look for his mother. The place he trampled looking for his mother became Golden Buffalo Lake (Ho Kim Nguu).

West Lake was also named the Foggy Lake (Ho Dam Dam) since it was sometimes foggy. In the XVth century, it was named Lake of Wave (Ho Lang Bac) because on windy days there were sometimes waves. In 1573, it was renamed West Lake (Tay Ho) in order to avoid King The Tong's name. In 1675 it was changed to Doai Ho. West Lake is a famous scenic beauty spot of Thang Long - Hanoi. It became the theme of many poems and songs. In the XIXth century, Nguyen Huy Luong composed a famous essay Tung Tay Ho Phu, praising its beauty. In feudal times, many magnificent palaces were constructed around the lake: the Thuy Hoa Palace in the Ly Dynasty, the Ham Nguyen Palace in the Tran Dynasty and especially Cuu Trung Dai with golden roofs and precious stone steps in the XVIth century during the reign of King Le Tuong Duc. Around West Lake were many cultural, historical and architectural sites such as Quan Thanh Temple, Yen Phu Community Hall, Nhat Tan Community Hall, Kim Lien Pagoda, Soc Temple, Complex of Quan La Pagoda and Community Hall, Thien Nien Pagoda, Tay Ho Palace and Kim Nguu Temple. Today, many modern hotels and villas have been built on its banks as Thang Loi Hotel, Tay Ho Hotel, etc. In addition, the specialties of West Lake such as shrimp cake, rice vermicelli with snails have perfected the tourism potential of West Lake.

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Hanoi Opera House

Hanoi Opera House

The Hanoi Opera House is situated on Le Thanh Tong St., Hanoi; near the Red River and several hundreds meters east of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Characteristics: It is an old theatre with French architecture and typical Gothic and Mosaic characters reflected on the door domes and the glassed room respectively.

Opera Housein Hanoi

For a long time, the Hanoi Opera House has been a rendezvous for those who love theatrical performance and traditional songs and music, symphonies, opera and classical opera. It is also a tourist attraction for local and foreign visitors.

The Hanoi Opera House is renowned for its unique architecture and good composition. It is furnished rationally and harmoniously. Since its establishment, the Hanoi Opera House is the largest theatre in Vietnam. Its construction started in 1901 and completed in 1911. Previously the site was a big pond, adjacent to the city gate of Tay Long (also called Tay Luong) of the ancient Thang Long Capital. The construction met with many difficulties, because the foundations of the theatre were built on the pond. Before building a concrete foundation, nearly one metre thick, the pond was emptied and dredged, then 30,000 hard bamboo stakes were placed on its bed.

The Hanoi Opera House is of the same architectural style as the Opera House in France. Some foreign architects said that due to being built nearly 300 years after the Paris Opera House, the Hanoi Opera House avoids superfluous architectural details, which make it more magnificent and attractive.

After nearly 100 years of operation, the theatre's equipment and adornments became old and run down. In 1997, the theatre was repaired and modernized under the management of two Vietnamese French architects, Ho Thieu Tri and Hoang Phuc Sinh. The original architecture of the 3-storey theatre has remained. The decorative designs on the ceiling, arches, walls, and doors were renewed. The 3-metre-high stage and the audience's hall, with 600 seats, were also modernized in conformity with international standards. The theatre has been equipped with state-of-art facilities and appliances, compatible for all types of artistic performances, from folk music and songs, ballets and piano to classical opera, reformed opera, Vietnamese operetta and drama, all made great impressions on the audience. The Hanoi Opera House has also successfully organised many large-scale international concerts.

The Hanoi Opera House is a worthy artistic centre and a cultural and architectural relic of the capital Hanoi. 

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Hanoi Zoological Garden

Hanoi Zoological Garden

Hanoi Zoological Garden is on Cau Giay and Buoi streets, Hanoi; it is located on the west side of Hanoi center-city. Characteristics: Hanoi Zoological Garden is the place where hundreds of animals are exhibited.

Zoological Garden in Hanoi

Hanoi Zoological Garden opened its doors in May 1977. It covers a total area of 29ha, in which water is 6ha. There is also Bo Mountain, Voi Phuc Temple here. Voi Phuc Temple, meaning "prostrated elephant," was built during the Ly Dynasty to worship the Linh Lang deity.

Besides, Hanoi Zoological Garden has thousand of trees and flowers. It also features entertaining games such as driving carts, ball games, and electronic games; there is a bookshop and an outdoor stage for dancing. 

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Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace

Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace

Hanoi Young Pioneer Palace is at 36 Ly Thai To St., Hanoi. Characteristics: During the French domination period, the building was divided into two parts: the northern area was a kindergarten and the southern area was a French club. 
Young Pioneer Palace in Hanoi
After Liberation Day in October 1954, the building became the Young Pioneer Center, a recreation center for children.

In 1973, the infrastructures were renovated and upgraded with the assistance of the former Czechoslovakia. Today the six-storey building features nearly 100 well-equipped rooms for the practice and study of different subjects, including technology, culture, and arts. There is also a library with thousands of books.

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Friendship Cultural Palace in Hanoi

Friendship Cultural Palace in Hanoi

Friendship Cultural Palace is on Tran Hung Dao St., Hanoi. Characteristics: The construction of the palace started on November 5, 1978 and completed on September 1, 1985.

Friendship Cultural Palace in Hanoi Capital

The Friendship Cultural Palace, also called Huu Nghi Cultural Palace, was a present from the USSR Central Trade Union Council to the Vietnam Trade Union.

The Friendship Cultural Palace covers 3.2ha, and has three major buildings: a performance house, a study house, and a science and technology house comprising 120 rooms. The Friendship Cultural Palace is the biggest cultural center in the capital of Hanoi.

The front building is the performance house, equipped with a rotary stage, and two halls (the big hall has a seating capacity of 1256, the small one 375). Behind this block is the study house with a library and rooms for clubs to hold workshops and conferences. The science and technology house connects the two buildings together. The Friendship Cultural Palace is where cultural activities, art performances, fashion shows, beauty contests, conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and sports events are usually held. 

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Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi

Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi

Hoan Kiem Lake (Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword", also known as Hồ Gươm - Sword Lake) is a lake in the historical center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam.

Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi Capital

The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life. Tortoise Tower (Thap Rua) in the center of the lake According to the legend, emperor Le Loi handed a magic sword called Heaven's Will which brought him victory in his revolt against the Chinese Ming Dynasty back to the Golden Turtle God (Kim Qui) in the lake and hence gave it its present name (the lake was formerly known as "Luc Thuy" meaning "Green Water"). The Tortoise Tower (Thap Rua) standing on a small island near the center of lake is linked to the legend.

Large soft-shell turtles, either of the species Rafetus swinhoei or a separate species named Rafetus leloii in honor of the emperor, have been sighted in the lake. The species is critically endangered and the number of individuals in the lake is unclear.

The Huc Bridge Near the northern shore of the lake lies Jade Island on which the Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple) stands. The temple was erected in the 18th century. It honors the 13-century military leader Tran Hung Dao who distinguished himself in the fight against the Yuan Dynasty, Van Xuong, a scholar, and Nguyen Van Sieu, a Confucian master and famous writer in charge of repairs made to the temple in 1864. Jade Island is connected to the shore by the wooden red-painted Huc Bridge (The Huc, meaning Morning Sunlight Bridge).

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