The Temple of Literature and Royal College

The Temple of Literature called ‘Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam’. It si a farmous historical and cultural site in Ha Noi. Originally built in 1070 in the Ly dynasty, Van Mieu was repersentative of Confucian ways of thought and behaviour.

Six years later, Quoc Tu Giam, the first university of Viet Nam, was established on the grounds of Van Mieu. Between 1076 and 1779, Quoc Tu Giam educated thousands of talented men for the country. In 1482, Van Mieu became a place to memorialize the most brilliant scholars of the nation. The name, places of birth and achievements of top students in royal examinations were engraved on the backs of giant tortoises, are still standing today and they attract great interest from visitors.

After more than 900 years of existence, Van Mieu is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture. The banyan trees in Van Mieu, which witnessed festivals and examinations during feudal times, continue to flourish. Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam is a site of national pride for Vietnamese people.

The main temple sanctuary of Temple of Literature with stork statues, symbolizing longevity

Inside Temple of Literature sanctuary, housing statue of Confucius and his four greatest disciples

Dai Trung Gate or Gates of Talent and Virtue, as view from the inside temple.

Rafters in the main temple sanctuary were constructed without nails or screws. It's interesting to note also how the building overhanging eaves help to keep these buildings cool; large doorways are also important in cooling the buildings. In the winter, when it is cold in Hanoi, the sun is lower and heats the inside.

Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) was built in 1070 during Emperor Ly Thanh Tong to honor scholars and literary men, and was dedicated to Khong Tu (Confucius). In 1070, the Royal College (Quoc Tu Giam), Vietnam's first university, was founded here to educate the children of court mandarins, which remained until 1802 when the national university was moved to the new capital, Hue. Here is the entrance gate to temple complex, which reserved for the royalties

Thien Quang Tinh pond and after it, Dai Thanh (Great Success or Synthesis) Gate, which leads into the temple precinct. The flag with 5 colours which each represents an element of the nature: metal, wood, water, fire and earth.

One of the 82 Tortoise Stelae which recorded names, birth places and achievements of the 1306 successful triennial examination candidates. All of them was erected between 1442 and 1778. The Tortoise Stelae pavilions are on both sides of the pond.

Courtyard of the temple and the Bai Duong (House of Ceremonies).