Minh Tu Temple (Shrine)

Minh Tu Shrine is located in Thuong Phuc Village, Dai Thanh Commune, Hanoi City. This is a rather imposing relic with beautiful scenery, overlooking the Nhue River. The shrine worships the village tutelary god Minh Tu - Empress Dowager of King Tran Minh Tong (1315-1329), who once returned to take refuge, practice Buddhism, and build Bao Thap Pagoda and Dau Pagoda in the village.

Minh Tu Shrine currently preserves 8 royal edicts dating from the 8th year of Canh Tri (1670) to the 9th year of Khai Dinh (1924). Thus, it can be seen that the shrine worshipping Minh Tu appeared in the locality around the late 17th century and was named after the honorific title bestowed on her.

According to local elderly people, the shrine formerly had eight roofs and was built in the shape of the Cong character; it has been repaired many times. Today, Minh Tu Shrine has a Dinh-style structure, including the following components: Nghi Mon, Tien Te, Trung Cung, and Hau Cung.

Minh Tu Shrine has a close relationship with Bao Thap Pagoda and Phuc Khe Pagoda, forming a relic cluster whose central figure is Empress Dowager Minh Tu, because she was also the founder of Phuc Khe Pagoda and practiced Buddhism at Bao Thap Pagoda. Due to her many contributions to the local people, Minh Tu Shrine is an expression of the local people's remembrance of Empress Dowager Minh Tu.

Minh Tu Shrine was ranked by the Hanoi City People's Committee Historical - cultural relic in 2011.