The statue of King Le Thai To belongs to an architectural complex at 16 Le Thai To Street, which accommodates various cultural structures. Its brick entrance gate, designed in the traditional three-entrance, four-pillar style, stands near the sidewalk, while the main structure lies deeper inside, out of sight.
As a result, many people may not know about the statue of King Le Thai To that was placed there.
The Phuong Dinh (Front Hall) Pavilion is located in the centre of the complex’s spacious courtyard. It has an open design on all sides and reflects the elegance of ancient Vietnamese architecture.
Nestled just behind Phuong Dinh Pavilion, the King Le Thai Lo statue occupies the innermost position within the complex. The monument is perched atop a sturdy stone column.
Two guardian tiger statues flank the pathway to the statue, enhancing the site’s grandeur and architectural harmony.
The bronze statue of King Le is 1.2 metres tall. Though modest in size, its exquisite and meticulous craftsmanship gives it an aura of grandeur. Notably, the statue depicts King Le Thai To returning the sacred sword to the Golden Turtle God, a detail that vividly recalls the legend of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Besides the statue, there is a stone stele engraved with a poem by Emperor Le Loi, the founding ruler of the Late Le Dynasty.
Nam Huong Temple is directly behind the King Le Monument at 75 Hang Trong Street. In the past, this area was home to ancient villages such as Co Vu, Khanh Thuy, and Tu Thap, part of Tien Tuc Commune, Tho Xuong District. It was also a thriving cultural hub of the imperial capital.
The Ngu Ho (Five Tigers) painting is showcased at Nam Huong Temple.
Nam Huong Temple, rich in history, once served as a hub for cultural and spiritual activities, hosting village meetings and rituals honouring the local guardian deity. It was recognised as a National Historic Site in 1995.
Nam Huong Temple preserves valuable artefacts, including 19 imperial decrees from the Le, Tay Son, and Nguyen dynasties, a finely carved wooden plaque borne by unicorns, and five dragon thrones.
