Noi Lam Temple (Tran temple)

Located at the Southern part of Trang An grottoes complex, Noi Lam temple (internal forest) belongs to the mountainous area of Van Lam hamlet, Ninh Hai commune, Hoa Lu district, it is both accessible from Tam Coc and Trang An. 

To reach Noi Lam temple, tourists can take a 40 minutes rowing boat or trek one hour through up and down four challenging slopes while contemplating the unspoiled scenery, and discovering natural mystery and historical vestiges of the golden era in the 10th century. According to the legend, the temple was built in memory of the genius Tran Quy Minh - a general of King Hung and his wife from which the other name Tran temple originated. 

Remarkably, Noi Lam temple’s transverse bars, thresholds, pillars and eaves were all made of stone. The four eaves sided pillars were embossed with clouded dragons in the middle, phoenix and fish becoming phoenix in the top, turtles, anabas, carps, etc underneath. They were all carved in an extremely elaborate, fine and lively way by talented artisans. In addition to its spectacular features in term of architecture and carvings, the temple has long been known as a sacred place. In or around 7th of every lunar January, visitors from all parts of the country gather to pray to gods and the genius for a lucky and happy year.