Temple of Literature (Van MieuQuoc Tu Giam) Tourism

Type of destination: Historical site

Ideal visit duration: 1-2 hours

The Temple of Literature, known as Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam in Vietnamese, is a historic complex in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam. Established in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, it is dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars. Initially serving as a university for princes and mandarins, it became the country's first national university. The temple's architecture is a quintessential example of traditional Vietnamese style, with five courtyards, each offering a tranquil escape from the bustling city, and vibrant gardens. Its pavilions, halls, statues, and stelae of doctors pay homage to education and literature. Visitors can admire the ancient Vietnamese calligraphy and the Well of Heavenly Clarity (Thien Quang Well) amidst the peaceful ambience. Throughout the complex, there are numerous altars and shrubbery, signifying the blend of natural beauty with cultural reverence. As Vietnam's symbol of education and literature, the temple holds significant cultural importance and offers a glimpse into the country's scholarly heritage.

Top 5 Reviews on Temple of Literature (Van MieuQuoc Tu Giam)

l_ngng_cb_cht2024

Wrote on 15th Jul, 2024

Excellent hotel!

The staff went above and beyond to help with any inquiries and offered well-organized tours for those keen on sightseeing. Highly recommend this hotel for a pleasant and convenient stay!

JAnneBNYC

Wrote on 12th Jul, 2024

Lovely, historically important site

This is really a must see destination in Hanoi. It is a beautiful temple site with important history, popular with locals and tourists

748adityam

Wrote on 20th Jun, 2024

Culturally rich and very calming.

When entering the temple of literature you need to buy tickets for admission. You also have an option of getting an audio guide while touring the area. However be wary of vendors trying to sell you it..

999mariahk

Wrote on 24th May, 2024

Nice place to walk and see

We spent maybe 45 minutes strolling through the temple. The architecture is nice, and it's worth your time to check out if you're already in Hanoi. I wore long pants and made sure my shoulders were co..

einsbr

Wrote on 23rd May, 2024

Worth Visiting

I was there during exam and graduation time, so there were big groups of students with their certificates having photos taken and giving thanks for the academic success. I rented the audio guide and ..