Temple of literature

My Story 

When I went to take university entrance exam, my sister insited me to go to Temple of Literature to touch on the heads of turles there to get luck. 

I didnt believe in luck because I was confidient that with my good preparation I could crash into it. 

However, I myself love the ideas of people going to the temple to do that as long as it makes them feel more confidient. Moreover, it is quite interesting to believe in that as it is part of Vietnamese culture. 

I believe you will enjoy it when you come to Hanoi.

Location

-Ba Dinh Square, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Opening hours

- From 08:00 – 17:00 from November until March and 07:30 – 18:00 for the rest of the year

- Closed on a Monday

Stories behind the name

- The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu in Vietnamese), is the Vietnam's first national university

History

- Built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Lý Thánh Tông dedicated to Confucius, scholars and sages

(Confucius - a Chinese philosopher, politician, and teacher, who lived from 551 - 479 BCE)

- In 1076, Vietnam's first university, the "Quốc Tử Giám" was built

Features

- It is superb example of traditional-style Vietnamese architecture.

- There are several historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties in a revered place

- Successful graduates had their names engraved on top of the stone turtles

- It has become a memorial to education and literature for thousands of doctors’ graduate in

- The temple is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese đồng banknote

- Just before the Vietnamese New Year celebration Tết, calligraphists will assemble outside the temple and write wishes in Hán characters. The art works are given away as gifts or are used as home decorations for special occasions

- This historic site is ranked as one of Hanoi’s most important cultural places

What can we do nearby

- Drawing

- Visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum