Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam is the first university in Vietnam that is currently preserved and welcomes visitors right in the heart of Hanoi. Capital tourism can not help but visit this relic.
Where is Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam? How to get to the Temple of Literature?
Historical relic Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam is located at 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da District, Hanoi. The relic population is 54,331m2 wide, including Minh Duong lake, Giam garden and Noi Tu. 4 sides of the Temple of Literature overlooking four streets: Nguyen Thai Hoc, Quoc Tu Giam, Ton Duc Thang, Van Mieu.
To get to Van Mieu, visitors can take the inner city bus routes such as 02, 23, 38, 25, 41. Or if you use a private vehicle, from Hoan Kiem Lake you go to Le Thai To Street, turn right on Trang Street. Thi, go to Cua Nam, Nguyen Khuyen and turn left onto Van Mieu street.
Information to visit monuments:
– Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00
– Admission fee: 20,000 VND / adult, 10,000 VND / child (Apply for both Vietnamese and foreign guests).
Temple of Literature Quoc Tu Giam lies quietly in the heart of Hanoi
History of Literature Temple Quoc Tu Giam
Temple of Literature was built in 1070 under King Ly Thanh Tong. If at first the project was built only for the purpose of worshiping the gods, the Confucian Sages such as Confucius, Chu Cong and Tu Tu and was the study place of the king’s son, by 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established next to it to become the first university in Vietnam, dedicated to the king’s children and aristocratic families.
In 1253 (the reign of King Tran Thai Tong), Quoc Tu Giam was renamed the National Academy and accepted the children of commoners with excellent academic abilities.
In the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, at Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam, there began to have stele of those who passed the doctorate.
The big turning point took place in early 1947, when the French bombarded it, where only 2 columns and 4 pieces remained, made of stone. Later thanks to renovations and rebuilds and the work looks like it is today. The current function is mainly to worship Confucius & Chu Van An – the first Principal of this school.
Overall works of the Temple of Literature before
Architectural overall
The current Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam relic complex is located in the area of 54331 m2, including many different small and delicate architectural works. The relic is designed according to the layout posted for each zone, the architectural style of the Nguyen Dynasty is clearly shown. The campus is surrounded by walled bricks, in front of the large gate are four pillars separating the building completely from the noise and hustle out outside of life.
The overall Van Mieu includes many different parts such as Ho Van, Van Mieu Mon, Dai Trung Mon, Khue Van Cac, Thien Quang Well, Doctor Stele, Dai Thanh Mon, Thai Hoc House. Teachers in the east and west are two rows of 14 rooms. The classrooms of the students of the three-halls have three rows of 25 rooms each, with 2 people each.
Ho Van Chuong (Thai Ho) is located in front of Van Mieu. The gate of the Temple of Literature was built in the style of Tam Quan, on which there are 3 words “Temple of Literature” in ancient Han script. The inner area is divided into 5 distinct areas and connected by 1 main door, 2 auxiliary doors on both sides.
Ho Van Van Mieu
Sightseeing area at Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam
Visiting Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam , tourists in turn visit 5 inner self areas.
– The first area: The first gate is the Temple of Literature. The three-door gate has 2 floors, the lower floor is large, the upper floor is small. There are 3 doors in this area: The middle door is wide and high with a small sign with the name Dai Trung Mon, 2 side doors inside the rolling door without wings named Thanh Duc Mon and Dat Tai Mon. The top floor of the roof is designed with dragons facing the moon.
The first area – Temple of Literature
– The second area: Khue Van Cac is the second stop, this is a symbol of Hanoi’s history and tourism. Unique building architecture has the form of a small floor, including 4 square brick pillars below to support the upper floor, with very beautiful wooden structures. Upstairs there are 4 round doors, a row of paved rails and a simple and rustic wooden roof support. The double-layered tile roof creates 8 roofs, roof edges and flat roof surfaces.
The attic was an eight-roof square, four sides of the attic wall were circular windows in the shape of a shining sun. The two on the right and left of Khue Van caves are Bi Van Mon and Cuc Van Mon, leading to the two Dr. stele houses.
Admiring this symbol of Hanoi city, you feel like you are seeing a shining “star Khue”.
Khue Van Cac is a symbol of Hanoi tourism
– The third area: Step to Thien Quang Well and Doctor Beer Garden. With the structure of the circular door Khue Van Cac represents heaven, Thien Quang well represents the earth; Some people also think that Thien Quang well is a well for the sun. 2 sides are the beer doctor. Stone steles placed on the back of stone turtles are engraved with the names of poinsettias, tagboards, detective flowers, royal armor, and doctors. At present, there are 82 steles of the exams from 1442 to 1779. It can be said that the third zone is the place containing the stars of the universe, illuminating human knowledge. 
Doctor’s beer garden at Van Mieu
– The fourth area: The center of Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam – Dai Thanh Mon. The shrine area consists of 2 large works arranged parallel and successive: the outer building is Bai Duong, the inner court is Thuong Cung. Tourists can come here to offer incense to Confucius, Four Coordinates (Nhan Tu, Sang Tu, Tu Tu, Manh Tu), Chu Cong, Seven Second Sage. The left and right sides of the shrine are the two blocks of Ta vu and Huu Vu houses forming a U-shaped architectural cluster.
Bai Duong Building in Dai Thanh Mon
– The fifth area: Thai Hoc house area – where the talent of the dynasties is trained. The house including Tien Duong and Hau Duong worships kings Ly Thanh Tong, Ly Nhan Tong, Le Thanh Tong and the private enterprise of Quoc Tu Giam Chu Van An. In addition, the 5th area displays materials demonstrating the tradition of fondness for learning and respect for religions of generations through the dynasties.
Thai Hoc house at Van Mieu
In addition, in the relic area, there is a gift shop selling souvenirs showing unique culture for visitors to buy as souvenirs or to give to friends and relatives.
Meaning of Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam
Not just a school monument – where visitors learn more interesting historical knowledge or explore unique architecture; The Temple of Literature and Temple of Literature is like a torch that illuminates the Vietnamese tradition of fondness. From admiring their fathers’ golden table, many young people have more motivation to explore and explore the knowledge of mankind.
Every Tet holiday, visitors come here to pray for a favorable way of studying and exam. This is also the time when poetry and word associations take place. Excellent and excellent students were rewarded on this land.
When visiting the Temple of Literature , you also have the opportunity to watch daily art performances at Nha Thai Tien Street such as traditional music and dance with ethnic performances at your request. guest.
Some things to note when visiting Temple of Literature
– This is a national heritage, you absolutely do not destroy, damage antiques, or invade the landscape of monuments. Especially do not rub turtle’s head, write on or stand, sit on doctor’s stele …
– Dress politely, avoid clothes that are too short. Entering the shrine area without a hat.
– Maintain common birth and protect landscape and environment, avoid tree breaking, picking flowers, fishing, littering …
– Speak politely, do not cause disorder; offering ceremony, burning incense at the right place.
– Filming activities can only be conducted with the consent of the site’s leader.
– Do not bring weapons, explosives, flammable substances into the Van Mieu area.
Superstitious activities, gambling, fraud, etc. are strictly forbidden.
After many ups and downs of the capital, Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam still exists as a symbol of Vietnamese culture and education. If you have the opportunity to travel to the Capital, do not forget to schedule this place in your itinerary.