Hanoi Temple of Literature & Imperial College

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Hanoi Capital City boasts an endless amount of grandeur, history, and magical tales that can enchant any traveler. Entangled with hidden tourist attractions of serenity and peace, this city possesses a treasure with rich historical imprints, which was considered the first country national university – Temple of Literature and Imperial College (Vietnamese: Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám). Visiting this spot, you will recognize there still exists tranquil place in the city center.

Temple of Literature

Location: No 58 Quốc Tử Giám, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa, Hà Nội
Opening hours:  Daily
In summer time ( From April to October) : 07:30-17:30
In winter time (From October to April)     : 08:00-17:00
Entrance Fee:
Adults: 30,000 VND (~US$ 1.3) for Locals and foreigners
Students: 15,000 VND (~US$ 0.7) (student card required)
Children under 15: Free
Dress code: Cloths to cover Shoulders & Knees.

History of Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) and Imperial College (Quốc Tử Giám):

Temple of Literature and Imperial College located to the south of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Temple of Literature was founded in 1070 by King Ly Thanh Tong as a Temple for worshipping the Chinese philosopher Confucius.

Imperial College

In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong established the Imperial College as a royal school for only members of royal family and gorvernment officers such as princes, nobles, and bureaucrats.

In 1253, King Tran Thai Tong expanded and recruited the children of civilians with excellent academic ability to study in Imperial College. The function of the Imperial College became more and more prominent than the function of a ceremony place.

In the reign of Tran Minh Tong, Teacher Chu Van An was appointed as the official of the Prince in charge of Industry (equivalent to the present Principal), directly teaching the princes. In 1370, when he died, King Tran Nghe Tong established a worship alter for him at Van Mieu next to Confucius.

In the late Lê Dynasty, Confucianism was very popular. In 1484, Le Thanh Tong erected the steles of those who passed the doctorate examinations from 1442 onwards (the policy was set in 1442 but not implemented). Each department, a stele is placed on the back of the turtle. By that year, the Lê Dynasty had organized 12 senior examinations. Le Thanh Tong (1460-1497) held regularly every three years, exactly 12 examinations.

In 1762, King Le Hien Tong amended it as Quoc Tu Giam - a high-class training and educational institution of the court.

During the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), Quoc Tu Giam was established in Hue. In 1802, King Gia Long appointed this place as Hanoi Temple of Literature. The northern governor of Nguyen Van Thanh built Khue Van with the side of square wells. So at the beginning of the Nguyen Dynasty, Van Mieu Thang Long was once changed to just Van Mieu of Bac Thanh town, later changed to Van Mieu in Hanoi. Quoc Tu Giam was changed to the school of Hoai Duc government and later in this area built Khai Thanh temple to worship Confucius' parents.

In early 1947, French colonialists fired cannons to collapse the house, leaving only a foundation with two stone pillars and four stone tablets. Today, the entire Thai Hoc area was built with an area of 1530m² on a total area of 6150m², including the main architectural works of Tien Duong, Hau Duong, Ta Vu, Huu Vu, bell houses, and empty houses modeled after the architecture. tradition on the ancient land of Quoc Tu Giam.

How to Get to Temple of Literature and Imperial College?

Temple of Literature and Imperial College is located about 3 km west from Hoan Kiem Lake and 1km south of Thang Long Imperial Citadel. You can get to Temple of Literature and Imperial College in just 10 minutes using a taxi and about 30 minutes walking on foot from Hoan Kiem lake.

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Adventure Journey