On the 5th day of Binh Ngo Tet 2026 (ie February 21st), with favorable weather, thousands of people returned to Voi Phuc Temple (Giang Vo, Hanoi) to offer sacrifices, worship, and pray for peace at the beginning of the year.
Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Minh (Ba Dinh ward) shared that according to Thang Long folk tradition, the order of going to the four towns is East, West, South, North, in accordance with the direction of heaven and earth.
4 temples guarding the ancient capital include Bach Ma Temple guarding the East, Voi Phuc Temple guarding the West, Kim Lien Temple guarding the South and Quan Thanh Temple guarding the North.
Early this morning, I went to Bach Ma Temple and Voi Phuc Temple. In the afternoon, I will continue to the remaining 2 temples to pray for health and peace for myself and my family" - Ms. Minh said.
According to the explanation about the Special National Relic Voi Phuc Temple, the temple was built by King Ly Thanh Tong in the year Chuong Thanh Gia Khanh 1065. The relic worships Saint Linh Lang Dai Vuong - Prince, son of King Ly Thanh Tong and Vuong Phi Hao Nuong.
Legend has it that when he was born, in front of the Prince's chest there was a cluster of Bac Dau stars, and on his back there were 28 stars arranged like dragon scales. The King called him Hoang Lang. The name Vuong Ton of the Ly Dynasty was Prince Hoang Chan. The Prince was a brave general, making great contributions in the war against the Song invaders of Dai Viet in the 11th century with a glorious victory on the Nhu Nguyet River defense line (Cau River, Bac Ninh).
This victory defeated the Song Dynasty's will to invade our country and destroyed 50,000 enemy soldiers. After that, the Prince returned to live in Thi Trai (Thu Le village today) and burned there. Before burying, he rested his head on a sacred stone slab, leaving a hollow mark, which is currently worshiped in the forbidden palace.
With great merits to the people and the country, Duc Thanh was granted the title "Thuong Dang Phuc Than" by the Kings.
Currently, there are 269 places in the country worshiping Duc Thanh Linh Lang Dai Vuong Thoi Ly, he is a saint honored as Duc Thanh Linh Lang - a historical hero, with glorious merits, a brave general against foreign invaders, keeping "Quoc Thai Dan An".
By the Tran Dynasty, Duc Thanh Linh Lang had manifested his spirit and spirit to help the Tran Dynasty's generals and soldiers defeat the 2 invasions of the Nguyen - Mong invaders from the North who invaded our country.
He was granted the title "Binh Mong Vuong Thuong Dang Than" by King Tran. In the Le Trung Hung period, Duc Thanh also appeared, helped King Le and generals suppress internal rebellion and was granted the beautiful title "Phoi Dong Thien Dia, Van Co Luu Truyen" by the Le Dynasty.
On January 18, 2022, the historical and cultural relic Voi Phuc Temple was recognized by the Prime Minister with Decision No. 93/QD-TTG recognizing it as a special national relic along with the Thang Long Tu Tran relic system, which are Bach Ma Temple (Hoan Kiem ward), Quan Thanh Temple (Ba Dinh ward), Kim Lien Temple (Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam ward).
Going to pagodas at the beginning of the year is a cultural beauty of Vietnamese people in general and Hanoi people in particular through generations. This custom is not only meaningful in terms of spirituality and beliefs, but also a way to teach children and grandchildren about the cultural traditions of their homeland and nation.
