The Temple of Literature in Hanoi is Vietnam’s first university and an over 900-year-old historical and cultural relic steeped in Confucian tradition. As the dedication stone states, Vietnam’s Ly Dynasty founded the temple in 1070 to honor Confucius and promote scholarship. For centuries, the tranquil temple grounds have symbolized Hanoi’s rich history as a center of Confucian learning and exams to train administrative mandarins. Today, the well-preserved Temple of Literature offers visitors fascinating insight into Confucian ideals that shaped Vietnamese government administration and education for nearly a millennium.

The formal name Văn Miếu-Quốc Tử Giám translates to “Temple of Literature-National University.” As suggested by the name, the temple served a dual purpose. The Văn Miếu section is a Confucian sanctuary consisting of altars and memorials dedicated to Confucius, his disciples, and accomplished scholars. At the same time, the Quốc Tử Giám section housed Vietnam’s Imperial Academy, a prestigious school that prepared students to become mandarins in service to the royal court. For centuries, the temple symbolized Hanoi’s preeminence as Vietnam’s capital and the country’s center of Confucian education and examinations. Today, as in the past, the temple grounds exude a peaceful, scholarly ambiance befitting the ideals of its Confucian namesake.

The story of the Temple of Literature begins in 1070, when Emperor Lý Thánh Tông decided to build a temple to Confucius, the revered philosopher whose teachings had become the foundation for governing principles and the examination system in Vietnam. As the inscription on the temple’s dedication stele records, the Văn Miếu sanctuary to revere Confucius would also motivate citizens to “follow his example in loving justice, integrity, loyalty and righteousness.”
The emperor concurrently established Vietnam’s first national university, the Quốc Tử Giám or Imperial Academy, within the Temple grounds. The school educated royal princes and recruited exceptional scholars as candidates to serve as mandarins, administrative officials trained in Confucian doctrine. Success in the rigorous entrance exams gave scholars and their families esteemed status and privileges. Graduates assumed positions drafting edicts, collecting taxes, overseeing building projects, performing state rites, and other vital governance duties for the royal court.
The temple’s design further reflects how Imperial leaders used Confucian ideology to validate royal authority. Its layout adheres to traditional principles with the Văn Miếu sanctuary oriented to face south at the fore of the complex while the academy buildings stand behind it to the north. As mandated by Confucian canon, the temple architecture also followed symbolic cosmic orientations connected to ancient Chinese legends. For instance, the square layout of the Well of Heavenly Clarity at the temple center evokes the legend of the divine creature Linh Quang who emerged from the sea to give Emperor Yu the magical tools to halt the Great Flood and establish the ideal kingdom.

Despite damage during 14th century wars with the Ming Dynasty, kings from following dynasties continued using and restoring the Temple of Literature until Vietnam fell under French control in the 1800s. In 1896, French scholars undertook the first restoration to preserve the temple’s historical structures and heritage. Their efforts focused on the sanctuary area with its altars, stelae, gateways, pavilions and the Imperial Academy’s Well of Heavenly Clarity.
In the 20th century, the Temple of Literature entered a decline until celebrated as a National Monument in 1962. In order to restore the temple to its former scholastic glory, Hanoi City coordinated with educational institutions to completely renovate the grounds between 1982 and 2000. These works repaired deteriorating infrastructure while excavating and rebuilding lost structures like the imperial academy classrooms, dormitories and lecture halls. The extensive restorations allow today’s Temple of Literature to resemble its heyday as a center of prestige for scholars in service to the royal court.

Approaching from outside on Quoc Tu Giam Street, visitors first reach the imposing three-entrance Great Middle Gate added during Vietnam’s Le dynasty in the 15th century. This entrance opens onto the structured sequence of courtyards and pavilions defining the Văn Temple sanctuary.

Passing through the Great Middle Gate, the second courtyard comes into view. Two tranquil lotus ponds reflect the Khue Van pavilion standing across the courtyard with its distinctive sweeping tiled roof. Called the Constellation of Literature, this attractive pavilion now connects to exhibition space tracing the temple’s history.
Continuing further along the central path reveals the third sanctuary courtyard with the prominent Founders Pavilion at the rear. This open two-story structure houses 10 carved wooden thrones honoring the 10 chief disciples of Confucius. Positioned in front sit altars for offering sacrifices to Confucius along with Chu Van An, the renowned 13th century scholar. This appointed to oversee Vietnam’s Imperial Academy by the Tran dynasty.

The third courtyard of the Temple of Literature also holds stone turtle steles placed on pedestals. Which along with centered ornate stone stelae recorded names and accomplishments of exceptional doctorate scholars from 1442 to 1779. The inclusion of this scholarly pantheon reflects the prominence examinations. That held for administrative aspirants seeking to demonstrate their mastery of literature, law and governance issues.
The adjoining fourth courtyard maintains this scholastic ambiance. Two rectangular lotus ponds on either side reflect the ceremonial red-painted Dai Trung or Great Middle sanctuary. The imposing tile-roofed structure enshrines a large ceremonial altar dedicated to Confucius. There are some smaller altars honoring his four eminent disciples and two additional Chinese scholars. Ceremonial grounds in front host annual temple festivals presenting offerings. These performances exalt Vietnam’s long scholarly traditions.

The next sections formed the Imperial Academy with three successive courtyards for scholarly learning. Just behind the temple stands the first academy courtyard incorporating rebuilt dormitories around Well of Heavenly Clarity. Regarded as the spiritual heart of the complex, this intricately decorated well provided divine wisdom for scholars. Through the symbolism of its square terraces aligned with cardinal directions. North beyond the Well unfolds the lively second academy courtyard. Now commonly called the Constellation of Literature courtyard. Picturesque Chinese scholastic symbols like stone stelae, turtle steles and richly ornate pavilions. These adorn this section along with mature shade trees. The third tranquil rear courtyard has an added gallery displaying historical prints, photos and maps documenting major restoration initiatives to revive Hanoi’s ancient sanctuary of scholarship.

Today, frequent school field trips along with 1,300 engraved scholar stelae preserve the legacy. This construction is an enduring Confucian emblem of Vietnam’s academic and administrative ideals. Its long history has become entwined with Vietnam’s quest for independence and identity. While wars, neglect and weather eroded its structures, devoted efforts restored the temple as a symbol of national heritage. The prominent sanctuary now attracts residents and visitors to bask in its historic academic ambiance. The popular graduation ritual of takes photos wearing university graduation robes. This peacefully sublime landmark continues demonstrating how Confucian precepts traditionally molded Vietnamese education.  The government service examinations yielded an ethical scholarly bureaucracy. The Temple of Literature stands as one of Asia’s most well-preserved Confucian temple complexes. It is retaining Vietnam’s prestigious spiritual heart for honoring education.
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