Đông Cung Đền Và, Sơn Tây

Đền Và, also known as Đông Cung Đền Và, lies about 2km from the center of Sơn Tây town on a low hill in Trung Hưng Ward, surrounded by a centuries-old ironwood forest. Seen from above, the hill resembles a turtle swimming toward the rising sun. In addition to Đền Và, local residents call it the Eastern Palace Temple. Together with three other temples—Bắc Cung at Thính Temple in Vĩnh Phúc, Nam Cung in Tản Lĩnh, and Tây Cung at the temple of Saint Tản Viên in Ba Vì—it has long been dedicated to the mountain deity Tản Viên Sơn Thánh.

Local residents also pass down a legend that Sơn Tinh, or Tản Viên Sơn Thánh, was known as the "Foremost Deity of Supreme Blessing" and was the son-in-law of the sixth Hùng King and husband of Princess Ngọc Hoa. He rendered great service to the people by defeating Thủy Tinh in fierce battles against the floodwaters, becoming a symbol of the Vietnamese people's indomitable spirit in their struggle against nature. The temple covers a total area of up to 2.000m². Its sides and rear are enclosed by 2m15-high laterite walls on Và Hill, which is filled with ironwood, jackfruit, pine, frangipani, and mango-plum trees… The temple itself is also a miniature green haven planted with many vóc vàng trees, while two large orchid plants beside the front ceremonial hall bloom profusely each summer.

• See also: Top attractions in Sơn Tây