A King and His Companion
Over a thousand years ago, during the reign of King Lý Thái Tổ, the founder of Hanoi (then Thăng Long), a dog became a royal guardian. When the king moved the capital north, it is said the dog protected the palace grounds and alerted soldiers to danger. Upon its death, the king — moved by loyalty beyond measure — ordered a temple to be built in its honor.

That temple still stands: Thủy Trung Tiên, often called Đền Cẩu — “The Puppy Temple.” Visitors crossing its wooden bridge will notice the small stone dog at its gate, watching the lake’s reflection like a soul that refuses to leave.

Between Faith and Folklore
The Puppy Temple is more than myth. It symbolizes Vietnam’s enduring reverence for animals who embody moral virtues. In an age when animals were spiritual intermediaries — not possessions — the temple reflected a worldview where loyalty was sacred and compassion divine.

Locals still light incense at the temple’s altar. Offerings of fruit and rice are left beside carvings of dogs. Some say stray dogs often linger near the shrine, drawn by an inexplicable peace.

A Culture of Care
Vietnamese history is filled with tales of loyal animals: buffalo who mourn their masters, cats who guard ancestral tablets, and dogs who lead lost children home. The Puppy Temple stands as a monument to this quiet ethic — a recognition that devotion transcends species.

XENXEN’s Perspective — Where Ritual Meets Love
For us, this temple encapsulates what “objects of affection” mean. Each XENXEN piece is an offering — a small altar of gratitude to our companions. A silk collar replaces the garland; a handcrafted bowl becomes the modern shrine. In every object lies the same emotion that built a temple for a dog: reverence.

Closing Line:
On a small island in Hanoi, stone meets spirit — and love, once given, continues to guard us forever.