Chem – a unique temple of Thang Long Royal Citadel

(VOVWORLD) - Chem Temple originated from an ancient shrine dating back to the 16th century with influences of Taoism and Confucianism.
Chem – a unique temple of Thang Long Royal Citadel - ảnh 1

Chem Temple in 1930 in French documents.

Chem – a unique temple of Thang Long Royal Citadel - ảnh 2Chem Temple in 2018. The temple’s architecture remains intact.   
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Chem Temple is located in Thuy Phuong ward, Bac Tu Liem district, Hanoi. The temple has a prime location by the Red River, an ideal feng shui position, leaning against the mountain and facing the river.

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4 pillars and the three-door gate of the temple.

Chem – a unique temple of Thang Long Royal Citadel - ảnh 5 A ritual at Chem Temple in 2018.
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Chem Temple’s administrative house and two steles houses with harmonious architecture, creating the temple’s unique beauty.

Chem – a unique temple of Thang Long Royal Citadel - ảnh 7The lacquered board “Heaven and Earth”.
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Chem Temple’s House of Ceremony.

Chem – a unique temple of Thang Long Royal Citadel - ảnh 9A wooden piece carved with a poem about Vietnam's four sacred animals. 
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Traces of a palanquin procession dating back to 1916 still remain on the temple’s wall. Older bricks of different colors stand out in the wall.

Chem – a unique temple of Thang Long Royal Citadel - ảnh 12In tribute to the Genie of Chem, an old carpenter, who is the ancestor of the current temple caretaker, spent 3 years to design and carve the temple’s altar.  
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Designed and carved in the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945), the altar is considered one of the most beautiful in Vietnam.

Chem – a unique temple of Thang Long Royal Citadel - ảnh 14The Chem temple festival is held annually from the 14th to 16th of the 5th lunar month. This is a very unique festival in northern Vietnam.  

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