Temple of Literature: History Discovery & Visiting Experience

Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy - a symbol of the tradition of learning, the first university in Vietnam, a place to honor the talented and Confucian scholars. When visiting, visitors will be immersed in the ancient space, listen to stories about ancient education and preserve peaceful moments in the heart of Hanoi. Join us to learn about the history and experience of visiting this destination.

1. Tourist coordinates located right in the middle of 4 bustling streets

Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy is considered the first university in Vietnam, located at No. 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Van Mieu Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Located right in the middle of 4 main, bustling streets of Dong Da district including: Van Mieu, Quoc Tu Giam, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ton Duc Thang.

Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy is an ideal place for tourists to stop by when visiting Hanoi, a thousand years of culture, with a campus of about 54,331m2 with lots of trees, lakes and ancient architecture creating a relaxing, peaceful space in the middle of bustling Hanoi.

Not only that, the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy is also close to famous attractions in the capital such as: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Hoa Lo Prison, etc.

Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy is located right in the middle of 4 bustling streets of the Capital. (Source: Internet)

2. Historical and cultural value of Temple of Literature

Historical value: After more than 1,000 years, the Temple of Literature still retains its ancient and solemn features.

• In 1070, under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, the Temple of Literature was built, a small temple to worship Confucius, Zhou Gong, and Tu Phoi.
• In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong built the Imperial Academy right next to the Temple of Literature. This was the place used to teach the king's children and noble families.
• During the reign of King Tran Thai Tong, Quoc Tu Giam was renamed Quoc Hoc Vien, accepting students of common origin with excellent achievements.
• During the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy began erecting steles of those who passed the doctoral exams to honor the talented and outstanding people of the country.

Temple of Literature bears a strong historical mark. (Source: Internet)

Cultural values: Besides the long-standing historical values associated with many dynasties, the Temple of Literature also brings great cultural values.

• In 1962, the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy was ranked as a National Monument. Here, there are 82 doctoral steles that have been recognized by UNESCO as a "World Documentary Heritage".
• It is a place to worship the nation's sages and talented people, the first educational and mandarin center of Vietnam, and historical evidence of a nation's civilization.
• Preserving and keeping precious cultural artifacts of our ancestors such as calligraphy and sophisticated carving techniques are also clearly shown on stone steles, horizontal lacquered boards, etc.

3. Ancient architecture in the heart of the city

The Temple of Literature is an architectural work bearing a strong traditional imprint, built along the North-South axis and simulating the structure of the ancient royal palace. The architecture of the Temple of Literature not only follows the principles of Eastern feng shui but also reflects the philosophy of Yin Yang - Five Elements, thereby creating harmony between humans and nature.

1 - Overall layout: The relic is divided into 5 main areas, each with its own function, reflecting each stage of the feudal mandarin path.

• Area 1: Ho Van and Tam Quan - is the space that leads visitors to the relic site.
• Area 2: Khue Van Cac - is a symbol of Hanoi, a place to honor knowledge.
• Area 3: Doctor's Stele Yard - where 82 stone steles are located recording the names of successful candidates.
• Area 4: Dai Thanh Dien - the place to worship Confucius and sages.
• Area 5: Thai Hoc area - a place to train and honor Confucian education.

2 - Yin Yang - Five Elements philosophy in design

• Yin - Yang harmony: Lake Van (water - yin) combined with architectural works (earth - yang) will create balance in space, bringing harmony.
• The Five Elements combine: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth - the basic elements that exist in all things, carrying the strong feng shui elements of the Temple of Literature. Specifically: Wood (columns and beams made of ironwood), Earth (Bat Trang bricks used to build walls and floors), Fire (red tile roof, the main color in decoration), Metal (decorative patterns, bronze bells), Water (including the system of wells and lakes).

4. 11 Check-in points not to be missed when coming to Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy

1 - Van Lake: Also known as Giam Lake or Minh Duong Lake, the lake is located right in front of the gate of the relic site. Van Lake is relatively large, in the middle of the lake is Kim Chau hill, on the hill is Phan Thuy Duong. This is the place where ancient Confucian scholars used to comment on literature.

2 - Van Mieu Mon and the Tam Quan gate system: Located outside the relic site, there are 3 doors, 2 floors, the upper floor has 3 words Van Mieu Mon in ancient Chinese characters, in front is the four pillars of the gate in the middle with two Ha Ma steles on both sides. Van Mieu Mon has an ancient, majestic and solemn beauty, creating a unique feature for visitors when visiting.

Van Mieu Mon and the Tam Quan gate system. (Source: Internet)

3 - Giam Garden: Located behind the inner temple, surrounded by lush green trees and grass, creating a cool, quiet atmosphere. This is a peaceful place for scholars to study, inspiring souls who love knowledge.

Giam Garden not only brings a sense of peace and tranquility but also has a profound symbolic meaning about the tradition of studiousness of the Vietnamese people. (Source: Internet)

4 - Dai Trung Mon: The second gate, consisting of 3 compartments, was built on a high brick foundation with fish-tail tiles bearing the typical features of ancient communal house roofs. In front and behind Dai Trung Mon is a large space with parallel roads stretching out, along with trees, grass, and a lake creating an airy, peaceful space.

Dai Trung Mon with three-compartment design, fish-tail tile part. (Source: Internet)

5 - Khue Van Cac: Built in 1805 under King Gia Long with a two-story square tower, in harmony with the overall architecture of the building, demonstrating the sophistication of Nguyen Dynasty construction art. The lower floor is an arched door, hanging the large-character "Khue Van Cac" plaque, the upper floor is an eight-roofed wooden house - where ancient Confucian scholars often gathered to discuss and write poetry.

Khue Van Cac - a signature structure at the Temple of Literature. (Source: Internet)

6 - Thien Quang Well: Also known as Van pond, located next to the doctoral stele area, right behind Khue Van Cac. The well is designed with a square shape symbolizing the ground, meaning the place to receive all the quintessence of the universe and enlighten knowledge.

Thien Quang Well with a square design symbolizing the ground. (Source: Internet)

7 - Doctor's stone steles garden: On both sides of Thien Quang well, there are 82 stone steles engraved with the epitaphs of Confucian doctors of the royal examinations of the Later Le and Mac dynasties. The steles are placed on the back of turtles, symbolizing the eternal existence of the national quintessence, cultural and historical values of our country. In 2010, the 82 doctoral steles were recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage.

Doctor's stone steles garden, where 82 doctoral steles are located, recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage. (Source: Internet)

8 - Dai Thanh Mon: The architecture is similar to Dai Trung Mon, built in the style of the Later Le Dynasty. Dai Thanh Mon consists of 3 compartments, the door of each compartment is painted red with dragon and cloud motifs, 2 rows of front and back porch columns and 1 row of middle columns. The horizontal plaque with 3 words Dai Thanh Mon carved on it is hung above, meaning great success.

Dai Thanh Mon area in the Temple of Literature relic site. (Source: Internet)

9 - Thai Hoc House: Located in the deepest part of the Temple of Literature, it was once used for teaching and training talented people. Today, Thai Hoc House is the place to worship Chu Van An and is a space to display many valuable documents about education in the feudal period.

Thai Hoc House used to teach and train talented people. (Source: Internet)

10 - Dai Bai Duong: To reach Dai Bai Duong, you will pass Dai Thanh Mon and a large courtyard paved with Bat Trang tiles. Dai Bai Duong has a solemn appearance with a design of 9 compartments, 2 walls on both sides. Of the 9 compartments, the middle compartment is used for placing incense altars, the rest are unused.

Dai Bai Duong is a place of solemnity and unique architecture. (Source: Internet)

11 - Khai Thanh Temple: At the very end of the relic site is the place to worship Confucius's parents. Previously, Khai Thanh Temple had 150 rooms (residential areas) for students. In 1946, Khai Thanh Temple was bombed by French colonialists, causing the building to be completely destroyed. Later, the temple was rebuilt and preserved to this day.

Khai Thanh Temple is located at the end of the relic site. (Source: Internet)

5. Experience visiting Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy

5.1. Opening Hours & Entrance Fees to Temple of Literature

1 - Opening hours

• Summer: From 07:30 am - 05:30 pm.
• Winter: 08:00 am - 05:00 pm.
• Open every day of the week.

Note:

• If you go in the summer, you should go early in the morning or late in the afternoon because the weather will be more pleasant and the number of tourists coming to the relic will be less crowded.
• When visiting the relic site, you should wear polite and discreet clothing, avoid wearing clothes that are too short or too revealing. At the same time, strictly follow the regulations for entering the Temple of Literature so as not to affect the inherent solemnity.

You should choose polite and discreet clothing when visiting the Temple of Literature. (Source: Internet)

2 - Entrance fee

• Children under 16 years old: Free of charge.
• Elderly people are Vietnamese citizens aged 60 and over with citizen identification, people with severe disabilities: 35,000 VND.
• Vietnamese students (with student card): 35,000 VND.
• Adults: 70,000 VND.
• Automatic commentary, foreign language: 100,000 VND.

Note: Entrance fees to the Temple of Literature may be adjusted during special events and holidays.

5.2. How to get to the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy

To get to the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy, you can choose many forms such as self-sufficient or booked a car. Specifically:

• Self-Moving: If you are near the monument, you can come here by motorbike, then park at the parking lot near the entrance gate. The parking fee is about 10,000 VND.
• Take public bus: To go by bus, you can refer to some routes with stops near the Temple of Literature area such as: 02, 23, 38, 41.
• Technology Car: You can use technology-based ride-hailing apps like Grab, Be, XanhSM to get to the Temple of Literature quickly and conveniently, especially during rush hour or when you are unfamiliar with the route.
• Traveling by plane (For visitors in Ho Chi Minh City or neighboring provinces): Book Vietnam Airlines tickets directly on the official website www.vietnamairlines.com or Vietnam Airlines app to ensure good ticket prices and promotions. After landing at Noi Bai airport, you can book an airport shuttle service or travel by taxi, bus, or ride-hailing apps to the city center.

Tourists from far away can easily visit the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy by plane of Vietnam Airlines. (Source: Internet)

5.3. Some interesting experiences at the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy

Coming to the Temple of Literature, you will experience some interesting activities here such as:

• Visit the relics in the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy relic complex.
• Join the poetry festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month, where poetry lovers and poets will gather and share their works, creating a unique space.
• Research and learning activities for students and researchers to learn about cultural, historical and architectural values.
• Asking for calligraphy at the Temple of Literature from the teachers brings luck, especially at the beginning of the new year with the hope of receiving luck for the whole year.
• Burn incense to pray for success before important exams.
• Check-in with virtual living corners, with unique architecture will help preserve beautiful memories here.
• Night tour of the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy with special activities, the most prominent is the night tour of the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy which attracts a lot of visitors every time it is held.

If possible, experience the night tour at the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy to discover unique cultural and artistic activities. (Source: Internet)

6. 5 must-see tourist attractions near the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy

Hanoi is a land of talented people, bearing the mark of thousands of years of civilization, therefore, besides the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy, there are also many places near the relic site that you can explore.

1 - Hanoi Flag Tower: 1.1km from Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy, located at No. 28A Dien Bien Phu Street, Ba Dinh District, is one of the historical symbols of Hanoi Capital. Here, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Hanoi Flag Tower is a historical symbol of the Capital. (Source: Internet)

2 - Thang Long Imperial Citadel: Located at 19C Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh District, 1.2km from the Temple of Literature, associated with more than 1,000 years of history of Thang Long - Hanoi.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel is associated with more than 1,000 years of history of Thang Long - Hanoi. (Source: Internet)

3 - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: One of the places you must visit when coming to Hanoi, 1.6km from Temple of Literature, located at No. 2 Hung Vuong, Ba Dinh District.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - A destination not to be missed when visiting Hanoi. (Source: Internet)

4 - Ho Chi Minh Museum: Located in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum relic complex, the Ho Chi Minh Museum is located at No. 19 Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh District, 1.7 km from Temple of Literature. Right at the Ho Chi Minh Museum is the One Pillar Pagoda, which you can also visit easily and conveniently.

Ho Chi Minh Museum is where Uncle Ho's legacy and ideology are preserved. (Source: Internet)

5 - Hoa Lo Prison Relic: Only 1.3km from Temple of Literature, at No. 1 Hoa Lo Street, Hoan Kiem District. Coming here, you will listen and understand more clearly about the courage, touching stories about the patriotism, indomitability, and resilience of Vietnamese soldiers and people.

Hoa Lo Prison is a meaningful tourist destination in Hanoi. (Source: Internet)

Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy has gone through the ups and downs and events of history but until now still retains the great historical, cultural, architectural and educational values of the nation. If you have the opportunity to come to the capital, visit the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy to have valuable experiences about this relic.

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