Temple Of Literature Introduction
What is Hanoi known for? Is Hanoi worth visiting? Of course, yes. Hanoi is not only famous for its varied cuisines, such as bun cha and banh mi… but also renowned for Hanoi tourist attractions like the Hanoi Museum of Ethnology, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, etc. In particular, visiting the Temple of Literature Hanoi is one of the top things to do in Hanoi that you should not miss.
Therefore, in your Hanoi travel itinerary, you must take the time to visit the Hanoi Temple of Literature. It is the first national university of Vietnam that the Ly Dynasty built. As a result, in May 2012, the Vietnamese Government recognized the entire Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam relic as a Special National Relic.
Furthermore, this temple of literature operated for more than 700 years and trained thousands of talents for the Vietnamese country. Nowadays, the Temple of Literature-Quoc Tu Giam is a place to visit for domestic and international tourists.
Additionally, it is a place of commendation for excellent students and a place to organize an annual poetry festival on the full moon day of the first lunar month. In particular, this is also the place where today’s Vietnamese students come for good luck before each crucial exam.
How To Get To The Temple Of Literature Vietnam
Where is Vietnam’s temple of literature? The Temple of Literature is located at 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Van Mieu Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi City.
Thus, visitors from the southern or central provinces can take a plane or train to Hanoi. Then, visitors can take a bus, taxi, motorbike, or a grab service to the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam.
If traveling by motorbike, you can follow the following directions: from Hoan Kiem Lake, follow Le Thai To street and then turn right onto Trang Thi street. After that, go straight on this road; you will meet Dien Bien Phu street and then turn left onto Tran Phu street.
From Tran Phu street, visitors turn left onto Chu Van An street. Then, turn right through Nguyen Thai Hoc street to reach the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. Visitors should note that the road around Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam is one-way when traveling by motorbike.
In addition, you can visit the Hanoi Temple of Literature by Hanoi car rental service or the Hanoi city tour full day of Culture Pham Travel. This is the best choice because you can choose your departure time and visit many other attractions in Hanoi. Besides, you can book our Hanoi street food tour if you want to enjoy the best food in Hanoi.
Additionally, you can travel by bus with bus numbers 02, 23, 25, 38, 41 or 49. Traveling by bus is not only safe and economical, but visitors also have the opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery of Hanoi city. However, this vehicle is not flexible in time and itinerary like a private car.
Temple Of Literature Entry Fee 2022
The entrance fee to the Temple of Literature in Vietnam: The ticket price is 30,000 VND/pax for adults, and the ticket for children is 15,000 VND/pax. Plus, children under 15 years old are free. Significantly, this price applies to all Vietnamese and international tourists.
Temple of Literature Hanoi opening hours: The open time is from Monday to Sunday.
- In the summer (from April 15 to October 15): From 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
- In the winter (from October 16 to April 14): From 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Hanoi Temple Of Literature’s History
From 1070 to 1370
The temple of literature was constructed in 1070 under the reign of the emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Plus, the temple of literature in 1070 was the place to worship Confucius and his disciples. Six years later, in 1076, his son- Emperor Ly Nhan Tong, issued a decree to build Quoc Tu Giam beside the Temple of Literature.
From that, it became Vietnam’s Imperial Academy – the first national university in Vietnam. Initially, this prestigious university was dedicated to royal lineage, aristocracy, and mandarins in the feudal state apparatus. Thus, the Temple of Literature, besides worshiping the deity and the master of Confucianism, also has the function of an imperial academy.
The first student was Crown Prince Ly Can Duc, son of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong and Empress Ỷ Lan. At that time, the crown prince was only five years old, and in 1072, he ascended the throne to become Emperor Ly Nhan Tong.
In 1156, Ly Anh Tong – the 6th emperor of the Ly dynasty, repaired the Temple of Literature and only worshiped Confucius.
In 1253, emperor Tran Thai Tong renamed Quoc Tu Giam to National Academy (Quốc Học Viện). Besides the nobles, they also taught the students of commoners with excellent study abilities.
During the reign of Emperor Tran Minh Tong, the emperor appointed Chu Van An as Quoc Tu Giam’s principal and direct teacher of the princes. In 1370, he passed away and was worshiped by Empeor Tran Nghe Tong at the Temple of Literature next to Confucius.
From 1484 to 2000
In 1484, Emperor Le Thanh Tong gave a decree to erect the stele of those who passed the doctorate from the year of 1442 exam onward. For each department, a stele is placed on the back of a turtle. The Le dynasty had held 12 advanced examinations at that time. Hence, emperor Le Thanh Tong (1460-1497) held it once every three years, with precisely 12 exams.
In 1762, Emperor Le Hien Tong named Canh Hung. At the same time, he changed the temple of literature to Quoc Tu Giam – a high-class training and educational institution of the royal court. Later on, he and other sages cast the Bich Ung Great Bell.
In early 1947, the French colonialists fired cannonballs and destroyed one part of the relic. Therefore, the main restorations took place in 1920, 1954, and 2000.
The Hanoi Temple Of Literature’s Unique Architecture
What to see at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi? Hanoi Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam is a complex of relics up to 54,331m2, consisting of five main areas. The Ly dynasty built it south of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The overall architecture of the Temple of Literature from the entrance includes Van Mieu gate, Dai Trung gate, Khue Van Cac, Giam garden, Thai Hoc house, etc.
1. Map of the campus of Hanoi Temple of Literature
| 1. Literature lake
2. Stelae commanding horsemen to dismount 3. Four pillars 4. Giam garden 5. Literature temple’s main gate 6. The Great Middle gate 7. Constellation of Literature Pavilion 8. Well of Heavenly clarity |
9. Stelae of doctors
10. Attained Talent gate 11. Attained Talent area (Dai Bai Duong house & Upper shrine) 12. Thai Hoc gate 13. Thai Hoc area (Khai Thanh temple & Thai Hoc house) 14. Belfry floor of the bell 15. Belfry floor of the drum |
The Tran dynasty (1225–1400) and the subsequent dynasties reconstructed the Temple of Literature Hanoi. Despite the Vietnam War and natural disasters, the Temple of Literature has preserved the ancient architectural styles of many dynasties.
Besides, many precious relics in the temple of literature have been well-preserved for nearly two centuries as well. One of the precious relics is a gold-plated ceramic tortoise made from ceramic in Bat Trang pottery village and plated with gold in Kieu Ky village. Hence, the Hanoi Temple of Literature is a famous historical and cultural landmark, and you cannot miss the chance to learn more about Vietnamese culture.
2. Literature Lake
To the south, in front of the Temple of Literature, is Minh Duong Lake or Van Ho, commonly known as Giam lake. The total area of the lake is 12,297 m2. Moreover, in the middle of the lake is the Kim Chau mound, and on the mound is Phan Thuy Duong. It is a place the literary and poetic commentaries of Confucian scholars in the ancient citadel took place.
A clear lake surrounded by shady trees, with a mound floating in the middle of the lake. Plus, it has beautiful little architecture hidden under luxuriant branches. Hence, this scene will make you feel relaxed and gentle right from the moment you set foot in the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam.
3. The Literature Temple Gate – Three Doors Gate
Next, Van Mieu Mon is the main gate of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. The Temple of Literature’s main gate was built in the Tam Quan style with three words “Temple of Literature Gate” in traditional Chinese characters.
Further, a large main gate in the middle and two side gates combined with a dome. In particular, the main door of the Temple of Literature is built into two floors, and on the 2nd floor, there is a big bell.
In front of the Temple of Literature’s gate are the four pillars (the ritual gate) and the two stelae commanding horsemen to dismount on both sides. Besides, they built four pillars with bricks and the middle two pillars with the two Nghê higher than the other two pillars left.
In terms of the spiritual concept, Nghê is a sacred animal capable of recognizing good or evil people. Plus, the two outer pillars are embossed with four phoenix birds with wings spread and tails together.
4. The Great Middle Gate
From the main gate of the Temple of Literature, entering the first courtyard is the Great Portico. And, go straight to the second gate, Dai Trung Mon (the Great Middle gate). On the left of the Great Middle gate is the Accomplished Virtue gate, and on the right is the Attained Talent gate.
Many shade trees and two rectangular lakes lie vertically outside in this area. Hence, this scene creates a quiet, elegant feeling of the place of “thousand years of civilization“.
Dai Trung Mon gate is made of 3 compartments, built on a high brick foundation, with two rows of columns and front and back porches. Besides, in the middle of the gate hangs a small sign with three words “Dai Trung Mon”.
5. Constellation Of Literature Pavilion
In 1805, Emperor Gia Long gave the command to the construction of Khuê Văn Các. It consists of two floors and eight roofs; the lower floor has four brick pillars, and the upper floor has wooden architecture. All four sides have round windows with radiating turnings on all four sides, representing the image of the shining Khue star.
Besides, the two sides enter through the Magnificence of Letters gate (Bi Văn) and the Crystallization of Letters gate (Súc Văn). Moreover, the Constellation of Literature pavilion is the place to organize doctors’ and scholars’ reviews of good poems.
6. Well Of Heavenly Clarity – Thien Quang Well
The Thien Quang well means “the well that illuminates the sky” and is also known as Vân Trì (Ao Văn). Thus, Thien Quang means light of the sky. By naming this well, the builder implies that people get the essence of the universe, enlighten knowledge, improve quality, and beautify humanity.
The well is square, and railings are around the bank to the back level. Plus, the ancients also believed that the square well symbolizes the earth, and the round gate at Khue Van symbolizes heaven. Hence, the quintessence of heaven and earth is gathered in the majestic cultural and educational center in this imperial capital.
Furthermore, a small brick path surrounds the well, allowing people to walk around the well. Besides, you can go upstairs to Khue Van Cac, enter the gate of Dai Thanh or turn to two stone gardens on either side.
7. Stelae Of Doctors – World Documentary Heritage
The steles of Doctors Van Mieu Thang Long, also called the steles of Doctors Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam. The steles are named for those who passed the doctoral examinations in the early Le, Mac and Le Trung Hung dynasties (1442-1779) in the Temple of Literature Hanoi, Vietnam.
Moreover, 82 Doctor’s stone steles engraved epitaphs with the same rank and hometown of 1304 Vietnamese Confucian doctors of the Dinh examinations in nearly 300 years. Each stele is mounted on the back of a turtle.
In addition, these 82 steles record the history of examinations and the philosophy of the dynasty on education & training and the use of talented people. Significantly, these stelae are put in four houses without doors to display and preserve Doctor’s steles from harsh weather.
Besides, 82 steles of the Doctors are divided equally into two sides on the left and the right of Thien Quang well. Thus, each side of 41 steles symmetrically crosses the well. The 41 doctoral steles on each side are erected in 2 horizontal rows, and the stele sides face the well.
On the two sides, in the middle of each stele garden, has a square communal house, with four sides empty, with a high platform and a pedestal in the middle. These are two small communal houses to worship the stele.
On March 9, 2010, UNESCO recognized 82 doctoral stelae at the Temple of Literature Hanoi as a World Documentary Heritage in the Asia-Pacific region. In July 2011, UNESCO officially recognized 82 steles of doctors as a World Documentary Heritage on a global scale. Simultaneously, UNESCO inscribed them in the World Social Memory category.
Till January 2015, the Vietnamese Government recognized 82 doctoral steles at the Temple of Literature as National gems. Hence, discovering doctoral steles is a must-do in Hanoi that you should not ignore.
8. Attained Talent Gate
Through the Dai Thanh gate, enter the third courtyard is the main area of the Hanoi Temple of Literature relic. Attained Talent gate is a 3-compartments architecture with two rows of columns on front and back porches and a row of columns in the middle. In the middle, on the roof armor is hung a horizontal painting with three characters 大成門 (Đại Thành Môn), read from right to left.
Dai Thanh Gate (the door of great success), opening the area of the main architecture, the place to worship Confucius, Seven Decades of sages, etc. Simultaneously, this is also the school’s teaching place. It was a name full of meanings that did not have any name that could replace it.
Kim Thanh on the right and Ngoc Thanh on the left are two small gates. Currently, it is Kim Thanh Mon, and Ngoc Chan Mon are horizontal with Dai Thanh gate.
However, these two doors do not open directly into the main area. That means you have to go through the brick floor road behind the two ranges of Left house and Right house from these gates. Then, you can continue going to the Khai Thanh area at the end of the monument.
9. Shrine Area (Dai Bai Duong house & Upper shrine)
When you step through Dai Thanh gate, you will see a large tiled floor courtyard of Bat Trang pottery village. In front of the courtyard is the spacious, large sanctuary of Đại Bái Đường house spanning the width of the yard adjacent to the Left house and Right house on both sides. It creates an ancient and traditional U-shaped architectural cluster.
After Dai Bai Duong and parallel to it is the Upper shrine, which has a similar scale in both height and width. Dai Bai Duong is connected to the Upper shrine by a small communal house in the square.
The upper shrine (Thượng điện or Thượng Cung) is the place to worship the masters of Confucianism. Therefore, the central compartment has an altar that worships Confucius. Besides, the two sides of the other compartments also have altars; there are thrones and tablets on the altars.
On the left, there are two thrones to worship Tăng Tử and Mencius. Plus, on the right, there are two thrones to worship Nhan Tử and Tử Tư. In addition to the tablet, all four have a sanctuary-painted wooden statue.
10. Khai Thanh Temple – Thai Hoc House
The Khai Thanh area is the last area of the relic. From the Temple of Literature to Khai Thanh, you can follow two paved roads behind the Left house and the Right house. Otherwise, you can also go from behind the Upper shrine through the three-door gate. Plus, this is the main gate, which also has three compartments, a roof and a door that opens and closes.
Besides, from the outside, entering Khai Thanh temple can also go through a small gate with open wings in the southeast corner. It is adjacent to the wall separating the Temple of Literature and Khai Thanh areas.
Most significantly, Khai Thanh Temple is the place to worship Confucius’ parents. Moreover, the left half of the yard has two stelae. In addition, the ancient Khai Thanh temple was originally Quoc Tu Giam, where talents were forged for many dynasties.
Unfortunately, in 1946, the French army fired cannons that destroyed the whole Khai Thanh temple. Hence, its architecture today is entirely new.
11. Tien Duong And Hau Duong Houses
The Front and Back houses are completely new construction by the Center for Design and Renovation of Monuments – Ministry of Culture Information and Technical Design. It is located in the restoration work of the Thai Hoc area, which started construction on July 13, 1999.
The Tien Duong House
The front house (Tien Duong or Thai Hoc house) with nine compartments with 40 ironwood columns supporting the roof. Compared with the Bai Duong house in the Van Mieu area, the main pillar of the Tien Duong house is larger and taller. Plus, the column diameter is 0.48m, and the column height is 7m.
Moreover, Tien Duong is a place to display the tradition of studiousness and respect for teachers today. At the same time, it is also a place to organize scientific conferences, national culture and art.
Plus, it has a type of sub-architecture (roof) used to connect buildings in a continuous architectural whole. It connects the Front and Rear houses and has two doors to the bell house and the drum house.
The Hau Duong House
The rear house (Also known as Khai Thanh temple) is a two-story wooden structure. Also, the first floor consists of 9 compartments and two wings with 72 ironwood pillars. Besides, there are eight pillars that are 11.5m in height and 0.56m in diameter.
The first floor is a place to honor the famous teacher of the Temple of Literature “Chu Van An”. In addition, this is also a place to display the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam Thang Long and Vietnamese Confucian education. Besides, it shows the history of the formation and development of the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam.
In addition, there are profound values of the tradition of respecting the master, being studious, promoting talents, and inheriting and promoting the national cultural heritage. Plus, the 2nd floor has five compartments, the front has five doors, and the back has four doors to the front and back railings.
Most importantly, the second floor is the place to worship the emperors who built the Temple of Literature in Hanoi and contributed to the cause of Confucian education in Vietnam. These are Ly Thanh Tong, Ly Nhan Tong and Le Thanh Tong.
Notes When Visiting The Temple Of Literature Hanoi
- When you visit the Temple of Literature and National University in Hanoi, you should note the following:
- Respect the relic and abide by the regulations of the relic management unit. Besides, do not infringe on artifacts or the scenery of the relic. Plus, do not rub the turtle’s head, write, draw, stand or sit on Doctors’ steles.
- Besides, do not bring items and combustible substances when visiting the Temple of Literature.
- Costume: You should choose neat and polite clothes, not revealing or offensive clothes. Avoid wearing too-short skirts or pants. Plus, you do not smoke and wear hats or palm-leaf conical hats in the solemn area.
- Each person only lights one incense stick, makes offerings, and burns incense at the prescribed place.
Closing
In conclusion, some of the architecture here has been destroyed through many history’s ups and downs. However, the Temple of Literature Hanoi is still considered a symbol of the educational quintessence and cultural beauty of ethnic Vietnam.
Hopefully, the above sharing of Culture Pham Travel has helped you gain more knowledge about this meaningful historical-cultural relic of the Hanoi capital. Hence, visiting the Temple of Literature is one of the best things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam.
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