Temple Of Literature

TEMPLE OF LITERATURE – MUST – SEE SITE WHEN VISITING HANOI

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is famous for its long history and the rich traditional culture. Coming to this city, you will have a valued chance to visit many beautiful sightseeing sties while discovering the historical beauty of the city. Temple of Literature always should be your very first stop-over in Hanoi, which shows the spirit of the Vietnamese’s spirit in the past. Located in the south of Thang Long citadel, Temple of Literature shows the most historical beauty of Hanoi. Follow us to explore the beauty and deep values of this sightseeing.

“Khuê Văn Các” – The Temple of Literature

Historical meaning

“Tứ Trụ” – The Temple of Literature

Visitors, in particular, foreigners, visit the Temple of Literature to take a look into its profound traditional meanings of both a Confucian temple and the 1st university of Vietnam. Temple of Literature also, known as “pagoda des Corbeaux” during the period of French colonization, was founded as a Confucian Temple in 1070. 
In 1076, the first university of Vietnam, the Quoc Tu Giam (National University) was established within this temple to educate the mandarin class of Vietnam. During the period of time that the university functioned from 1076 to 1799 (about more than 700 years), there were 2.313 doctors graduated there. Hence, the complex has been attached to the name of Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam.

A beauty-spot of architectural values

“Văn Miếu Môn” – The Temple of Literature

Nowadays it is considered that the ancient Confucian sanctuary is one of the finest historical and cultural sites of Hanoi. Spending time on looking into the art of architecture, you will be inspired by its beauty. The temple is based on Confucius’ birthplace at Qufu in the Chinese province of Shandong. It includes five yards lined out in order, entrance to the first, via the impressive twin-tiered Van Mieu gate leads to three paths that run through the length of the complex. The center path was reserved for the King only, the one to its left for administrative Mandarins and the one to its right for military Mandarins.
The first two courtyards are peaceful havens of ancient trees and well-trimmed lawns where the scholars could relax away from the bustle of the city outside the thick stone walls. Entrance to the third courtyard is through the dominating Khue Van Cac (constellation of literature), a large pavilion built in 1802. Central to this courtyard is the Thien Quang Tinh (“Well Of Heavenly Clarity”), either side of which stand two great halls which house the true reserves of the temple. These are 82 stone steles. Another 34 are believed to have been lost over the years. They sit upon stone tortoises and are inscribed with the names and birth places of 1306 men who were awarded doctorates from the triennial examinations held here at the Quoc Tu Giam (“National University”) between 1484 and 1780 when the capital was moved to Hue.
The fourth courtyard is bordered on either side by great pavilions which once contained altars of 72 of Confucius greatest students but which now contain offices, a gift shop and a small museum which contains ink wells, pens, books and personal artifacts belonging to some of the students that have studied here through the years. At the far end of the courtyard is the altar with statues of Confucius and his four closest disciples. The fifth courtyard contained the Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam’s first university founded in 1076 King Ly Can Duc, but this was destroyed by French bombing in 1947.

Graduate – The Temple of Literature

Though having gone through lots of rebuilding work, the temple still retains its very first original shape, to be one of the visit-worthy sightseeing sites of Hanoi, charming to a huge number of tourists elsewhere. 
A space of peace, green trees, and solemnity covers the whole temple of historical and traditional love for study, making tourists feel like they were lost in a land of Confucian and traditional values. If you are in Hanoi, you should really come and explore it yourself!
Being an ancient school of Thang Long and the first university in Vietnam, Temple of Literature is acknowledged as an ancient historical-cultural heritage which gives tourists deeper understanding about Hanoi’s years of values and convention. Tourists should certainly add the Temple of Literature to their visiting list in Hanoi. Coming here, tourists might see many Vietnamese students visiting the places as a ceremonial for good luck before they enter an important exam such as the entrance exam into college. Join our Hanoi city tour or contact us to get more information for your discovery this destination.

Join Hanoi city tour with Journey Vietnam to take a chance visiting The Temple of Literature.

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