Temple of Literature – the Vietnam's first national university

Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam) was constructed as an university in 1070 special for Confucius, scholars and sages. It is a Vietnamese traditional style of architecture, offering a range of literature, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards and passageways. Temple of Literature is the place where took place important examinations to find the doctors of the country. There were thousands of doctors who graduated in the first national university and now they have become a memorial to education and literature of Vietnam.

Coming to Temple of Literature, travellers will understand more about the literatural and educational tradition of Vietnam. Everyone has chance to see and explore the typical architecture here. Entering the Temple of Literature, tourist firstly will see "a little forest" with many kinds of ancient trees here and the special performance architectures. There are five courtyards from the entrance to the final part of Temple of Literature. Each courtyard has its own function and symbol. For example, at the first courtyard, it extends from the Great Portico to the Great Middle Gate; the second courtyard has “Constellation of Literature Pavilion, and besides of it, there are Crystallization of Letters gate and the Magnificence of Letters gate; third courtyard has the Well of Heavenly Clarity. Besides it, there are 82 tombstones those mention names and origins of 1307 doctors. All of these are fully displayed in this place.

Besides, the symbols and vestiges in the past which are still preserved intactly in the attraction make tourists take the change to discover and experience some traditional clothes and songs of Vietnamese such as: uniform of students of the imperial academy, ca tru. Yearly, on the time of examinations, there are so many students who come here and rub the turtle heads to hope for luck.

Visiting the Temple of Literature and feel the beauty of literature and education of this place, tourist definitely will understand more about Vietnam culture and education. Then, getting a deep impression with this attraction.