Dubbed the first university in Vietnam, Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam is also the Hanoi capital symbol. Today, in this article, we will provide exciting information about the Temple of Literature Hanoi.
1. History & Meaning of Temple of Literature Hanoi
Temple of Literature was built in 1070 during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong to worship Confucianism, Confucius, Chu Cong, and Tu Mai. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong established Quoc Tu Giam next to a university dedicated to the king’s children and noble families.
In the reign of King Tran Thai Tong, Quoc Tu Giam renamed the National Academy and accepted the children of ordinary people with excellent academic ability, then became the place to organize examinations, aiming at fostering human resources. Talents, training talented people to appoint as mandarins, and jointly build the country.
Today, the Temple of Literature is not only considered the first university in Vietnam, but it also holds great significance for the Vietnamese tradition of studying and taking exams.
Besides, Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam is also a place to organize poetry festivals, commend excellent and excellent students, and is a famous sightseeing place attracting a large number of international tourists when coming to Hanoi.
On each occasion of the Vietnamese New Year, Vietnamese people eagerly come here to “ask for words” from the adepts with the hope of a peaceful and happy new year; or every exam season, the students come here to offer incense in the hope of passing like the predecessors.
3. Some Information You Need to Know
The Temple of Literature is currently located in the middle of 4 main streets in Hanoi, including Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ton Duc Thang, Temple of Literature, and Quoc Tu Giam. Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da, Hanoi.
Starting from Hoan Kiem Lake, you follow Le Thai To street, turn right onto Trang Thi street, go towards Cua Nam and Nguyen Khuyen streets, then turn left onto Van Mieu street. If you go by bus, if you take the following lines, there will be stops near this area: 02, 23, 38, 25, 41.
Ticket price to visit: Currently, for tourists and residents to visit the Temple of Literature, they must buy an entrance ticket:
- The ticket price for adults is 30,000 VND/person;
- Children, pupils, students, people with disabilities; people in extremely difficult communes in mountainous and remote areas; people with meritorious services to the revolution is 15,000/person.
- Children under 15 years old, people with particularly severe disabilities: free of charge
Opening hours to visit: Temple of Literature is open every day of the week.
- Summer (from April 15 to October 15) from 7:30 to 18:00
- Winter (remaining time): from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
4. Visiting Areas of Temple of Literature Hanoi
The first zone
Temple of Literature Gate – the gate leading to the first area, then go to Dai Trung Mon gate, two small doors are Thanh Duc Mon and Dat Tai Mon.
Second zone
From Dai Trung Mon to Khue Van Cac, this is the architectural work that is said to be the symbol of the Temple of Literature and the capital of Hanoi; besides, the image of Khue Van Cac is also printed on the 100,000 VND bill.
The Van Cac (guarding the beauty of Sao Khue) is a square floor with eight roofs, including four upper and four lower ceilings nearly nine meters high, built on a proportionally high square platform with a length of 6.8 meters on each side.
To the right and left of Khue Van Cac are Bi Van Mon and Suc Van Mon, leading to two areas of Doctor’s stele house.
Third zone
The third area is Thien Quang Well and the Doctor’s beer garden. Passing through Khue Van, visitors will see Thien Quang well campus and Doctor’s beer garden.
The delicate features of the Khue Van Cac round door represent heaven, and the rugged features of the square Thien Quang well represent the earth. Creating harmony between heaven and earth of feng shui makes a unique point for Quoc Tu Giam.
The two sides of the lake are Dr. Each stele is made of stone, engraved with the poinsettias, Ban Longan, Tham Hoa, Hoang Giap, and Dr. The beer is placed on the back of the stone turtle. There are still 82 steles of the examinations from 1442 to 1779. These are the most precious relics of the relic.
Fourth zone
As the architectural center of Quoc Tu Giam, it consists of 2 parallel and consecutive architectural works. This is the place to worship Confucius, Chu Cong, Tu Phoi, and the seventeen sages; in the middle, there is a large courtyard called Dai Bai or Bai Duong.
Fifth zone
This is the Thai Hoc area – the first national university in Vietnam, including the works: Front Street, Hau Duong, Ta Vu, Huu Vu, bell house, an empty house. This place was built on the ancient land of Quoc Tu Giam, the place to worship Kings Ly Thanh Tong, Ly Nhan Tong, Le Thanh Tong, and Quoc Tu Giam’s private owner Chu Van An.
5. Tips When Visiting the Temple of Literature Hanoi
Temple of Literature is a significant relic, containing a lot of historical and cultural values, so when visiting here, visitors should note:
– Respect and protect relics; no acts of aggression against antiques, landscapes, etc., such as rubbing the turtle’s head, writing graffiti on the monument’s wall, or sitting on the epitaph of the doctor.
Clothing should be appropriate, neat, and clean. Because this is a place with much cultural significance, you should avoid revealing clothes and indoor clothes. In the shrine areas, do not wear hats or smoke.
– Be conscious of environmental protection, do not throw garbage indiscriminately, do not step on the grass, or break branches to pick flowers and fish.
– Carry out the incense offering and ceremony according to the regulations of the management board; no indecent acts, profanity, or disturbance of security; do not take advantage of beliefs and worship to conduct superstitious and fraudulent activities. Note that filming at Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam can only be done with the permission of the management.
Hopefully, visitors will have more helpful information before visiting the Temple of Literature Hanoi through the sharing above.
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