Den Ngoc Son; or 鈥楯ade Mountain Temple' is one of the most revered religious complexes in the capital. Established by the scholarly mandarin Nguyen Van Sieu (1799-1872) appropriate symbols of learning and literature mark the temple complex.

A stylised stone ink slab rests atop the arched gate at the entrance; nearby a tapering stone pillar representing a traditional Chinese brush pen rises through five levels. On its side; three Chinese ideograms proclaim ta thanh thien; or 鈥榳riting on a clear sky'. Beyond the entrance; a red-painted; gracefully arched wooden bridge leads across the still green waters to a small island in the north of the lake. This is the celebrated The Huc or 鈥楻ising Sun' Bridge; where groups of Vietnamese children often huddle hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the lake's legendary turtles. Pictures From Asia David Henley