Temple of Literature - The First University in Vietnam

When thinking of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, one imagines a city steeped in history and charm with Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Old Quarter, and the poetic West Lake, or the ancient temples with centuries-old history. Alongside these landmarks, Hanoi boasts a famous cultural site, rich in heritage. It is not merely a historical relic but also a place where many students from all over come to take exams and succeed. This place is the Temple of Literature - the first university in Vietnam.

Temple of Literature

History of the Temple of Literature

Since 1070, the Temple of Literature was constructed during the second imperial examination under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong established the Quoc Tu Giam school adjacent to the Temple of Literature, marking the inception of the first university in Vietnam. Initially reserved for royal offspring and children of noble families, hence named Quoc Tu, the first student enrolled was Prince Ly Can Duc, the son of King Ly Thanh Tong and Queen Nguyen Phi Y Lan. The Temple of Literature was renovated by King Ly Anh Tong in 1156, exclusively dedicated to Confucius worship.

In 1253, King Tran Thai Tong renamed Quoc Tu Giam to Quoc Hoc Vien, expanding its scope to include outstanding students from commoner families.

Chu Van An was appointed as the Principal of Quoc Tu Giam during the reign of King Tran Minh Tong, directly imparting knowledge to royal princes. He passed away in 1370, and subsequently, King Tran Nghe Tong honored him with a shrine at the Temple of Literature alongside Confucius.

Shrine of Chu Van An

Confucianism flourished during the Later Le Dynasty. King Le Thanh Tong commissioned stone stelae to commemorate successful candidates in the imperial examinations starting from 1442. Each stela was placed atop a tortoise. During the reign of King Le Thang Tong (1460-1497), the Le dynasty held imperial examinations every three years, totaling 12 examination sessions.

Not all completed examination sessions resulted in the immediate engraving of stone stelae. Some stelae were damaged or lost over time. Throughout history, there were numerous restoration efforts, such as in 1653 - the first Thinh Duc year, or in 1717 - the 13th Vinh Thinh year. Stelae were regularly engraved until the end of the Le Dynasty, during the Canh Hung period.

In 1802, King Gia Long renamed it to the Temple of Literature Hanoi. Thus, during the Nguyen Dynasty, the Temple of Literature remained as the Temple of Literature of Bac Thanh precinct.

In 1947, the French colonialists bombarded the site, leaving only the foundation, two stone columns, and four stone stelae. The entire Thai Hoc area today, covering an area of 1530m2, was built on a total area of 6150m2.

How to get to the Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature is located at 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi, situated amidst four main streets including Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ton Duc Thang, Temple of Literature, and Quoc Tu Giam.

If you're coming from Hoan Kiem Lake, take Hang Bong Street, cross Cua Nam Street, Nguyen Khuyen Street, then turn left onto Van Mieu Street. Alternatively, you can easily book a Grab or taxi with flexible fares since the Temple of Literature is very close to Hoan Kiem Lake.

If you prefer taking the bus, these routes will have stops near this area: 02, 23, 38, 25, 41.

Ticket Prices

Currently, visitors to the Temple of Literature must purchase tickets at the entrance. The ticket price for adults is 30,000 VND and for children is 10,000 VND. These are quite affordable prices and apply to both Vietnamese and foreign visitors alike.

Admission Tickets for Temple of Literature

Opening Hours

Please Note: The Temple of Literature opens seasonally, with varying opening hours.

- Daily Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM;

Saturdays and Sundays have slightly delayed opening (at 8:00 AM) and extended closing times (until 9:00 PM).

- Seasonal Opening Hours: During the summer season (from April 15th to October 15th), the Temple of Literature welcomes visitors from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. In the winter season (from October 16th to April 14th of the following year), visitors can explore the Temple of Literature from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Architecture of the Temple of Literature

Lê Quý Đôn described the Temple of Literature during the Lê Dynasty in his work, Sketches of Architecture, stating: The Great Doorway has 3 bays and 2 rafters, roofed with bronze tiles. Both the West and East Pavilions have 7 bays each, with a small door at the rear. The administrative building consists of 1 bay and 2 rafters, 2 kitchen bays, and 3 bays for storing incense. The Thái Học Gate has 3 bays, with a tiled roof. The stone stele house to the east and west each have 12 bays, with 4 bays for storing engraved boards, and an outer honorary gate with 3 bays, the Minh Luân House has 3 bays and 2 rafters, with small doors on both sides. The teaching halls are located to the east and west, with 2 rows, each row having 14 bays. The student classrooms are arranged in three rows to the west and east, each row having 25 bays, accommodating 2 students per bay.

The architecture of the entire Temple of Literature today reflects the early Nguyen Dynasty style. The compound is enclosed by four brick walls.

Today, the architecture of the Temple of Literature is divided into three main areas: the Lake of Literature, the Garden of Governors, and lastly, the interior of the Temple of Literature.

Temple of Literature Gate

Gate of Literature

The four pillars are built of bricks, with the two central pillars being taller and featuring sculptures of two mythical creatures, Nghê. According to spiritual beliefs, these are sacred objects capable of discerning good from evil. The outer two pillars are adorned with four intertwined phoenixes. On the pillars are inscriptions in Chinese characters, roughly translated as:

The three words Văn Miếu Môn are engraved in Chinese

Văn Miếu Môn signifies the outer triple gate. The gate consists of three doors, with the middle one being tall and built in two stories. The upper story of the gate bears the three characters 文廟門 (Văn Miếu Môn). The architecture of Văn Miếu Môn is highly unique. From the outside, the triple gate appears as three distinct structures. The central main gate is actually built in two stories, with a square-shaped façade. The lower story is larger, while the upper story, smaller, is stacked on top of the lower one.

Great Central Gate

The first space after passing through the main gate, Văn Miếu Môn, is called the Entrance Path. Following the straight path to the second gate is the Great Central Gate. On the left, parallel to the Great Gate, is Virtue Fortification Gate, and on the right is Attainment Gate. Today, both sides are green spaces with trees and grass. The left and right sides of the entire Temple of Literature, along with the lateral walls of the Great Central Gate, form an almost square area, enclosed by walls leading in and out through the Great Central Gate. There are two rectangular ponds located along the longitudinal axis outside. The scenery here creates a sense of tranquility and elegance.

Great Central Gate

The architecture of the Great Central Gate consists of 3 bays, built on a raised brick platform, with a hipped tile roof, including two rows of front and back columns, with a central supporting column in between. A small plaque bears the inscription 'Great Central Gate'.

Literature Pavilion

Passing through the Great Central Gate and moving deeper inside, you will encounter a symbol of Hanoi, which is the Literature Pavilion.

Literature Pavilion

The Literature Pavilion, embodying the beauty of the star Khuê, is a square building with eight roofs, four upper and four lower. The Literature Pavilion stands nearly nine meters tall, constructed by Governor Nguyen Van Thanh of the Nguyen Dynasty in 1805. It is built on a square foundation paved with Bat Trang bricks, each side measuring 6.8 meters. Three stone steps must be climbed to reach this square foundation. The architecture of the Literature Pavilion is harmonious and unique. The lower level features four square brick columns, each one meter long, adorned with exquisite floral patterns. The upper level showcases lacquered wood architecture with gold detailing, except for the roof and corner parts, which are made of highly durable lime or fired clay material.

Khuê Văn Pavilion – Symbol of Hanoi Capital

Doctoral Steles, Thien Quang Well

At the Temple of Literature, perhaps the most valuable relic is the 82 doctoral steles erected on both sides of Thien Quang Well. Each side has 41 steles arranged in two horizontal rows, facing towards the well. Each stele garden on both sides has a square pavilion, with all four sides left empty, raised platform in the middle, with steps and a door looking straight down at the well. In the past, every spring and autumn, ceremonies were held at the Temple of Literature, preparing offerings to honor the Confucian scholars of our country, whose names are inscribed on the stone steles. Among the 82 steles, the earliest was erected in 1484, and the latest in 1780. Many steles are nested within the tortoise bases of other steles, and many have been cracked and repaired.

There are a total of 82 doctoral steles

Steles placed on the backs of tortoises

Thien Quang translates to 'Heavenly Light'. The builders named the well this to signify that all humans receive the essence of the universe, knowledge illuminating, enriching humanity. The well is square-shaped, with a high railing built around its perimeter. In ancient times, it was believed that a square-shaped well symbolized the earth, while the round gate of the Khuê Văn Pavilion symbolized the sky. The essence of both land and sky converges here.

Thien Quang Well

During the years of French colonial rule in Hanoi, the two stele gardens were sometimes neglected, overgrown with tall grass. Today, the two stele pavilions have been renovated according to the final stele pavilion design from the reign of King Tự Đức.

Great Accomplishment Gate

Passing through the Great Accomplishment Gate, you will enter the third space, the main area of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam. The Great Accomplishment Gate features a three-bay architecture with two rows of front and rear columns, and a single row of columns in the middle. Hanging above the central main roof ridge is a horizontal inscription plaque bearing the three characters 大成門 (Great Accomplishment Gate).

Great Accomplishment Gate

The Great Accomplishment Gate marks the beginning of the area dedicated to the worship of Confucius, Chu Cong, and the 72 talented scholars. It was also the teaching site of the ancient academy. The name 'Great Accomplishment' carries significant meaning - the gate of great achievement.

Confucius Altar

The courtyard of the Great Accomplishment Gate is spacious, paved with Bat Trang bricks. On both sides are the Left and Right pavilions, while in front stands the solemn and expansive Great Worship Hall, stretching across the width of the courtyard. Behind the Great Worship Hall is the Upper Shrine.

Great Worship Hall

A ceremony welcoming newly appointed scholars back to the village is recreated.

The Khai Thanh Temple

The Khai Thanh Temple is located at the far rear of the Temple of Literature. To get there from the Great Accomplishment Gate, you can either take the brick-paved paths on the Left and Right sides, or walk from behind the Upper Shrine through the Triple Gate.

Confucius's parents, Thuc Luong Ngot and Nhan Thi, are honored at the Khai Thanh Temple. Half of the temple area is the front courtyard, divided by a brick-paved road leading from the triple gate to the center of the ancestral hall.

The upper floor of the temple overlooks the bell tower.

The architecture of the Khai Thanh Temple is quite simple, with Left and Right pavilions and an ancestral hall in the middle. Formerly, the Khai Thanh Temple was the Temple of Literature or also known as the House of Scholars, where talents were trained for many dynasties. According to historical documents, the Khai Thanh area once had 150 rooms for scholars, also known as residential quarters. The French colonialists bombarded and destroyed the entire residential area in 1946, leaving no architectural remnants.

The royal seal for scholars conferred by the king is preserved at the temple.

Present-day architecture is entirely new. The entire roof of the temple is covered with two layers of tiled roofing. Between the house pillars and the stone base, a 1.5mm thick lead sheet is placed to prevent moisture from rising. The courtyard floor is paved with 30x30x4cm tiles. Surrounding areas are bordered with green stone slabs. The scale of the new Temple of Literature is grand, solemn, and harmonious with the overall architecture of the Temple. Many artifacts are currently being preserved here.

Excerpt from the doctoral stele of the Khoa Nham Tuat year 1442

Today, the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam is not only a tourist destination but also a place for many Vietnamese people to learn about their roots and express gratitude to the talented individuals in history who contributed to the nation's development. Visit the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam once to understand more about the symbol of educational excellence and the cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people!

Author: Tran Thi Nhu Quynh
*Article participating in the Mytour Golocal program