According to Decision No. 93/QD-TTg on ranking special national relics, the Thang Long Tu Tran cluster of monuments (Four protectors of Thang Long including Bach Ma Temple in Hoan Kiem District, Voi Phuc Temple, and Quan Thanh Temple in Ba Dinh District, and Kim Lien Temple in Dong Da District) was recognized as special national relics thanks to many important historical values.
There are different studies on the history of Thang Long Tu Tran. On the whole, it can be seen that Thang Long Tu Tran was created right from the time of forming Thang Long capital.
According to Professor Nguyen Quang Ngoc, history books record that the areas of the East, West, and North towns in the past were all special intersections, which were extremely busy and developed trading places of Thang Long Citadel.
Bach Ma Temple in the East worships the god To Lich and was considered the navel of the dragon, which gathers all the vitality of heaven and earth. Quan Tran Vu (Quan Thanh Temple) in the North has Dieu Duc Gate, the most important water gate that leads water from the To Lich River into the citadel.
In the West, the Voi Phuc Temple worships Linh Lang Dai Vuong. The temple is in the area of Cau Giay today. In the past, this was a famous paper-making center, with a large market always bustling with trading activities.
And in the South, the Kim Lien temple worships Cao Son Dai Vuong. This was also the direction that the king looked out from his main hall in the citadel.
Thanks to the long history, formation, and development associated with the most prosperous times of Thang Long, these four relics have been recognized as special national monuments./.
