HÀ NỘI — At the beginning of the Ất Tỵ (Year of Snake), the people of Hà Nội, along with visitors, are flocking to the Thăng Long Tứ Trấn ( Four Sentries of Thăng Long) to pray for happiness and peace in the new year.

The Thăng Long Tứ Trấn are associated with the birth of the capital Thăng Long under the Lý Dynasty (1009–1054).

They include Bạch Mã Temple in the east, Voi Phục Temple in the west, Kim Liên Temple in the south and Quán Thánh Temple in the north. These temples were built to worship the gods Long Đỗ, Linh Lang Đại Vương, Cao Sơn Đại Vương and Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ, respectively.

This is an opportunity for visitors to admire the beauty of long-standing traditions and cultural history, to reflect on noble spiritual values and to nurture goodness and optimism for the journey ahead.

The tradition of visiting the Thăng Long Tứ Trấn during the Tết holiday is a beautiful Vietnamese spiritual and cultural practice, which people undertake to pray for a prosperous and peaceful new year. — VNS

Quán Thánh Temple guards the northern gate of the ancient Thăng Long Citadel, officially named Trấn Quán Vũ, and is dedicated to the god Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ. —VNA/VNS Photos Minh Đức

Voi Phục Temple is dedicated to Linh Lang – a historical figure who helped King Lý Thánh Tông defeat invaders.

Bạch Mã Temple is dedicated to the god Long Đỗ, the guardian deity of Thăng Long Citadel, who protects the eastern side.

Kim Liên Temple was built by King Lý Thái Tổ immediately after establishing the Thăng Long Citadel in 1010, with the purpose of protecting the new capital from the south.

The tradition of visiting the Thăng Long Tứ Trấn during the Tết holiday is a beautiful Vietnamese spiritual and cultural practice, which people undertake to pray for a prosperous and peaceful new year.

Local residents and foreign tourists alike come to visit and learn about the Bạch Mã Temple during the early days of the Lunar New Year.