Hanoi Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is the complex of relics about the first university of Vietnam built in 1070. This is an important relic of Vietnam where many visitors come to learn about Vietnamese history, culture and fascinating architecture of the temple of literature.

The location:
The relic is located in 4 main streets: Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ton Duc Thang, Quoc Tu Giam and Van Mieu street with the gate located at 58 Quoc Tu Giam Str, Dong Da, Hanoi. Just 15 minutes walking from the Hanoi Old Quarter. 5 minutes walking to the south from Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

How to get to Temple of Literature?
If you depart from Hanoi old quarter, you will go along the Hang Gai, Hang Bong str then to Cua Nam T junction, go ahead to Nguyen Khuyen str, meet the Van Mieu Str, you will see the wall of temple of literature turn left to Quoc Tu Giam str to the Gate.
You can walk from the old quarter and take you 15 minutes. Otherwise, you could take taxi from your hotel to there.


 

Tourists visit Hanoi Temple of Literature

The Legend of Hanoi Temple of Literature:
It was built in 1070 by King Ly Thanh Tong a place to worship Confucius. IN 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong established another Imperial Academy next door and it was considered the university dedicated to king and noble families. By the time of King Tran Thai Tong. This place was renamed National Academy and recruited students of normal citizens with excellent academic ability.
In the post – Le Dynasty, the reign of King Le Thanh Tong began to build the steles of those who passed the doctorate. By the Nguyen Dynasty, Temple of Literature was established in Hue. The Thong Long temple of Literature was renovated and later changed name Hanoi temple of Literature.

The architecture:           
Hanoi temple of Literature is a beautiful tourist destination, located in an area 55 000 m2 divided in to 5 separated areas. The Great middle Gate, The pavilion of constellation, Thien Quang well and Doctor Steles, The Forth courtyard, the Fifth Courtyard.
The first area is from main gate to middle gate, on the left and right sides have 2 small doors. The left one is Thanh Duc door (passing the door to be a virtue) the right is Dat Tai (passing the door to become talented person)

The first area: The Great Middle Gate was built in 3 storey architecture on high brick floor with tile roof. In the middle of hanging a small plate of 3 words Dai Trung Mon (the Great middle gate)
 
The secondarea: is Khue Van Cac or the pavilion of constellation. An architecture work symbolizing Vietnamese literature and education.  It was built in 1805 with wood architecture and taking the image of Bright star shining. It symbolizes for knowledge.
4 sides of the pavilion of constellation shaped 4 circle shaped windows in a square wood frame present for sky and the earth as well as the harmony of Yin and Yang of Vietnamese ancestors.

The pavilion of constellation in the Hanoi Temple of Literature

The third area: Thieng Quang well and Doctor steles:
Thien Quang means well of heavenly clarity. It expresses the desire of capturing the sky essence to enhance knowledge and virtue.
The Doctors are divided into 2 rows. Each row has 41 steles which placed on the turtle which symbolizing immortality. 82 stone steles carved the name of 1307 doctors who once passed the great exams from this academy. These are the most valuable artifact symbolizing the studious of Vietnamese people through 82 examinations.

The fourth courtyard: This contains the Gate to the great success (Dai Thanh Mon). There is a house of ceremonies ( Dai Bai Duong)in the middle of the fourth courtyard where doctors came and express their respects to ancestors and Kings.
The next house is the place to worship Confucius and his four closest students Yanhui, Zengshen, Zisi and Mencius.
Chu Van An is the first headmaster of imperial Academy is also worshiped in this Hanoi temple of Literature 

Confucius statue in Temple of Literature

The fifth courtyard: This is the imperial academy which was built in 1076. In 1946 was destroyed by French. And in 2000, it was reconstructed on the original ground of Imperial Academy. This honors the talents, the culture and education of Vietnam.

Visiting the temple of literature will bring to you a knowledge activity about Vietnamese education culture, discover the art of architecture and the meaning of each place in the temple of literature.
When you are in Hanoi, do not miss the chance to explore this amazing place.

Related Articles:
Hanoi Opera House - A Landmard in the city
Unveil Hanoi Old Quarter
A must see Vietnam museum of ethnology
Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum