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As the complex of the first university in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature is not only a historical and cultural landmark but also a place where many students come to seek luck in exams and study. Here, Vntrip.vn will introduce and share the most comprehensive experience for visiting the Temple of Literature so that you can conveniently explore this famous landmark in Hanoi.
Where is the Temple of Literature located?
- Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da, Hanoi
- Directions to the Temple of Literature
Located in Dong Da District, Hanoi, right in the middle of 4 main streets including Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ton Duc Thang, Van Mieu, and Quoc Tu Giam, the Temple of Literature is definitely a must-visit destination for those traveling to the thousand-year-old capital city of Hanoi.
Image of the Temple of Literature (photo collection)
If you're coming from Hoan Kiem Lake, follow Le Thai To Street, turn right onto Trang Thi Street, continue towards Cua Nam Street, Nguyen Khuyen Street, and then turn left onto Van Mieu Street. Since Hanoi has many one-way streets, especially around the Temple of Literature area, pay attention to avoid violating traffic laws.
If you prefer to take the bus, the following routes will have stops near this area: 02, 23, 38, 25, 41.
Entrance Ticket Prices
Currently, tourists and locals visiting the Temple of Literature need to purchase tickets at the entrance. The ticket prices are 20,000 VND for adults and 10,000 VND for children. These are relatively cheap prices and apply to both Vietnamese and foreign visitors alike.
History of the Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, dedicated to the worship of Confucius, Chu Cong, and Tu Phoi. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong established the Quoc Tu Giam alongside as a university for royal descendants and noble families. During the reign of King Tran Thai Tong, Quoc Tu Giam was renamed to Quoc Hoc Vien and started admitting outstanding commoner students.
During the late Lê dynasty, under the reign of King Lê Thánh Tông, steles were erected to commemorate successful doctoral candidates. In the Nguyen dynasty, the Quoc Tu Giam was established in Hue. The Temple of Literature in Thang Long was renovated and renamed as the Temple of Literature in the Bac Thanh precinct, later changed to the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.
Architecture
The complex of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam is currently situated in a spacious area of 54,331 square meters, consisting of various small architectural structures. Surrounding the complex are brick walls. After numerous renovations, this complex includes the Lake of Literature, the Gate of Literature, the Great Middle Gate, the Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, steles of doctoral laureates, the Great Success Gate, and the House of Ceremonies.
The Great Middle Gate (image sourced)
The teaching houses on the east and west sides both have 14 compartments. The classrooms for third-grade students are divided into three rows, each with 25 compartments, accommodating two students per compartment. The entire architecture of the Temple of Literature today follows the style from the early Nguyen dynasty. The architectural ensemble of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam is arranged symmetrically, following the North-South axis, mimicking the overall planning of the Temple of Confucius in China, albeit with simpler scale and traditional ethnic artistic methods.
Khuê Văn Các and the Well of Heavenly Clarity (image sourced)
In front of the Temple of Literature, there is a large lake called Van Chương Lake, formerly known as Thái Lake. In the middle of the lake is Kim Châu mound, which used to have a tower for sightseeing. Outside the main gate are four pillars, with the two pillars on the left bearing the inscription 'Hạ Mã'. Surrounding the area, there is a tall wall. The Temple of Literature gate is built in a three-gate style, with the inscription 'Văn Miếu Môn' in ancient Han script above. Inside the Temple of Literature, it is divided into five distinct areas, each with separating walls and gates connecting them.
The Temple of Literature Gate (image sourced)
Attractions at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam
The main gate of the Temple of Literature is built in a three-gate style, with the inscription 'Văn Miếu Môn' in ancient Han script above. The Temple of Literature is surrounded by brick walls. Inside, there are dividing walls creating five zones, each with separating walls and gates connecting them.
Map of visiting the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam
Zone One
Begin with the main gate, Văn Miếu Môn, leading to Đại Trung Môn gate, with smaller gates on either side named Thành Đức Môn and Đạt Tài Môn.
Second Zone
From Đại Trung Môn gate to Khuê Văn Các. Khuê Văn Các is an architectural structure, not grandiose but harmonious and visually appealing. The architecture consists of 4 square brick pillars (85cm x 85cm) supporting the upper floor, with beautiful wooden structures.
Khuê Văn Các (image source)
Above, there are 4 circular doors, with convenient and simple wooden railings and supports, and a plain, rustic wooden roof. The tiled roof is double-layered, forming 8 roof sections, with flat eaves and roof faces.
The loft is a square floor with eight roofs, and on all four sides of the loft are round windows resembling sun rays. To the right and left of Khuê Văn Các are Bi Văn Môn and Súc Văn Môn leading to two areas of Doctoral Steles.
Khuê Văn Các in Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám has been recognized as an iconic symbol of Hanoi city.
Third Zone
Area of Doctoral Steles (photo by collector)
Comprising the Thiên Quang Tỉnh pond (meaning the well reflecting sunlight), square in shape. On both sides of the pond are the houses of Doctoral Steles. Each stele is made of stone, inscribed with the names of those who passed the Trạng nguyên examination, Bảng nhãn, Thám hoa, Hoàng giáp, Tiến sĩ. The steles are placed on the backs of stone tortoises. There are currently 82 steles from the examination sessions between 1442 and 1779. These are the most valuable relics of the monument area.
Fourth Zone
This is the central area and the main architecture of Văn Miếu, consisting of two large, parallel and contiguous structures. The outer building is the Bái đường, the inner building is the Thượng cung. This is the area dedicated to the worship of Confucius and the Four Accomplished Individuals (Nhan Tử, Tăng Tử, Tử Tư, Mạnh Tử).
Hall of Odes in Văn Miếu (photo by collector)
Fifth Zone
This is the area of the House of Scholars. During the Nguyen dynasty, the Quoc Tu Giam school in Hanoi was abolished, and the House of Scholars was converted into the Khai Thanh Temple, dedicated to Confucius's parents. However, this area was destroyed during the resistance against the French. The House of Scholars was reconstructed by Hanoi city in 1999. In this fifth zone, there is also the Front Courtyard - Rear Courtyard, where kings Ly Thanh Tong, Ly Nhan Tong, Le Thanh Tong, and scholar Chu Van An are worshiped.
Altar of Three Kings in Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám (photo by collector)
The Significance of Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám
Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám is not only the first university in our country but also like a perpetual flame, illuminating the scholarly tradition of the Vietnamese people. Here, you almost feel infused with additional motivation from the shimmering golden steles of our ancestors, filling you with energy to steadfastly pursue learning and explore human knowledge.
Furthermore, today Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám is a venue for poetry gatherings, a place to praise outstanding students, and a famous tourist attraction attracting a large number of domestic and international visitors to Hanoi. It's also a gathering place for people during traditional Tet holidays, wishing for a peaceful new year, or during important national examination seasons, filled with the hopeful anticipation of success for the candidates.
Visitor Notes
- Respect the heritage site and adhere to the regulations of the site management unit. Do not disturb artifacts or the landscape. Do not touch the turtle's heads, write, draw, stand, or sit on the Doctoral Steles...
- When visiting Văn Miếu, dress neatly and cleanly. Avoid wearing excessively short skirts or pants, revealing clothing, or indoor attire. No smoking, wearing hats, or caps in the Temple area, exhibition halls...
- Observe civilized behavior at the temple: Do not engage in uncivilized behavior, use vulgar language, or disrupt security. Show appropriate respect during rituals, each person only lights one incense stick; Offer incense properly in the designated areas.
Offering incense in Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám (photo collection)
- Exploiting the freedom of belief to engage in superstitious activities, gambling, fraud, etc., is strictly prohibited.
- Maintain cleanliness and protect the environmental landscape: No climbing walls or trees, breaking branches, picking flowers, trampling on grass, fishing, swimming, or littering.
- Do not bring weapons, explosives, or flammable materials into the heritage site.
- Park vehicles in designated areas and manage personal belongings to prevent loss.
- Filming activities at Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám may only be conducted with the consent of the site's leadership.
Having endured numerous ups and downs of time and historical events, some structures here have been destroyed, yet Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám is still regarded as a symbol of the educational pinnacle, the cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people. Hopefully, with the sharing from Vntrip.vn above, you have gained more knowledge about this meaningful historical and cultural heritage of the capital.
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