Hidden among the modern works of the National Convention Center, Dam Temple (also known as Quan Dam Temple, Duc Thanh Dam Temple) is like a peaceful green oasis. This place is not only a peaceful spiritual destination but also preserves the legendary story of the sacred snake god of Me Tri village.
From Thang Long Avenue to Mieu Dam street (Tu Liem ward, Hanoi), the walkway leads to a sacred space that few tourists know about. Mieu Dam is located near gate number 5 of the National Convention Center, located on a high mound, surrounded by green trees.
The ancient temple is also known as the temple of Mr. Hoang Ba because it is associated with the legend of the white snake god - the third son of the Water God.
According to Hanoi's Landscapes and Relics - Volume 1 of Hanoi Publishing House, folk legends tell that in ancient times, Me Tri village had many strong people, fertile fields, and lush ponds. The rich worked hard to plow fields, and the poor weaved nets to fish. In the village, there was an old and poor couple, living dependent on each other without children.
One day, an old man went fishing without any fish and accidentally caught a strange egg with a sparkling color. He couldn't bear to eat it but brought the egg home and placed it in the jar behind the house. Not long after, the egg hatched a white snake. The old man was half happy and half scared, just quietly raising and loving the snake like a laying snake.
The snake grew rapidly, until one stormy night, it suddenly transformed into a giant snake god and then dived into the deep lagoon. In the following days, the old man sadly went to cast nets but absolutely did not get any fish. In despair, remembering the white snake, the old man prayed for his son's blessing. Strangely, immediately after the prayer, the old man just cast nets wherever there were large fish.
Since then, the old man has kept praying for a bumper catch of big fish, while others have all suffered losses. When he honestly recounted the story, the villagers followed suit and also caught countless seafood.
To show gratitude, people together built an altar right next to the pond bank. Later, they learned that the white snake was the third son of the Water King, so they honored it as Mr. Hoang Ba or Duc Thanh Dam.
Whenever villagers prayed to the snake god, they saw a miraculous effect, favorable weather. Good news spread far and wide, news spread to the court, the king ordered people to build a large and beautiful temple, named Duc Thanh Dam.
Stepping through the temple gate, visitors will leisurely stroll on a straight stone-paved road, with rows of pine and needle trees growing year-round.
All three directions of the temple overlook the clear blue lagoon with a corridor running around, creating a picturesque landscape in the heart of the city.
The most unique point that makes Dam Temple different from any other temple is the open-air architecture of hundreds of years. In the past few years, local authorities have only allowed the erection of tarpaulin roofs.
The main shrine is quietly located under a hundred-year-old banyan tree, providing shade. Around the temple are 5 ancient kapok trees with large bodies, it takes two to three people to embrace them.
Only a few dozen meters from Duc Thanh Dam temple, Gieng Ngoc Mother Temple is the place of worship for Duc Thanh Dam's parents, associated with the legend of an ancient temple under Gieng Ngoc.
According to the temple caretaker, the bottom of this large well is his house. Notably, during previous well dredging, people discovered many traces of a massive communal house remaining deep under the well.
Throughout history, Dam Temple has always been a sacred symbol for the people of Me Tri village. Legend has it that ancient court officials often came here to offer incense and pray for national peace and prosperity, and bumper crops.
Today, the temple attracts a large number of pilgrims from all directions to worship, pray for fame, family peace and seek purity in their souls. Every year on February 18th of the lunar calendar, the people of Me Tri Thuong village organize the Dam Temple festival.
