Tran Temple

Handyhuy · CC BY-SA 3.0

A relic site honoring the Tran kings and Tran Hung Dao, famed for its early-spring seal-opening ceremony that draws tens of thousands.

Tran Temple in Nam Dinh honors the fourteen emperors of the Tran Dynasty along with meritorious mandarins, built on the former royal ancestral temple of Tuc Mac, the cradle of the dynasty. The complex comprises three main temples: Thien Truong, Co Trach, and Trung Hoa, deeply marked by ancient architecture with an imposing five-gate entrance and rows of shady old trees. Most famous is the seal-opening ceremony on the night of the 14th into the 15th of the first lunar month, when tens of thousands come to receive a seal in hopes of a year of success and fortune. Tran Temple is not only a sacred place but also a symbol of the dynasty's indomitable martial spirit.

Visitor information

When is the best time to visit Tran Temple?

First lunar month

How long do you need at Tran Temple?

Half a day

What are the opening hours of Tran Temple?

07:00 - 18:00

Did you know

Honors fourteen kings of the Tran Dynasty on the site of the ancient royal ancestral temple.
The seal-opening ceremony takes place on the night of the 14th into the 15th of the first lunar month.
The Tuc Mac area is the ancestral homeland of the Tran Dynasty.
The complex consists of three temples: Thien Truong, Co Trach, and Trung Hoa.

Travel tips

Avoid the crush of the seal-opening night; you can receive a seal on the following days instead.
Combine your visit with the nearby Pho Minh Pagoda and its ancient Tran-era tower.