What to do in Dong Da District, Hanoi?
Founded in 1070 at the time of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, the temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. It is a great example of Vietnamese architecture. In 1076, Vietnam’s first national University (Quốc Tử Giám – Imperial Academy) was built to educate only the members of the elite.
After that, the entrance was soon granted for everyone. This is the place where Vietnamese students often visit before taking their important exams (mostly High school entrance exams and University entrance exams). They want to pray for the success, asking for the Confucius, sages and scholars’ guidance in having clear thinking and peace into their hearts before taking the exams. If you go to the Temple of Literature in the first days of Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán), you will get to see a lot of calligraphists writing couplets of nice wishes in Chinese characters as the gifts for anyone who wants to receive (Most of Vietnamese people often take these to hang on the walls or doors in their houses with their belief in health, happiness and prosperity in the new year).
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm (from about 15/4 to 15/10); 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (the rest days)
Admission prices: Adult: 30 000 vnd; Children under 15: Free.
Address: #58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da, Hanoi.
All photos on this post taken by Tung Pham
The Temple of Literature is really a great place to visit, you can not only know about history about it but also enjoy the beauty in architect. I love visiting there.