Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature (Vietnamese: Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám) is a historic Confucian temple complex in central Hanoi, Vietnam. Founded in 1070, it served as Vietnam’s first national university and remains a prime symbol of the country’s reverence for education and scholarship.
Key facts
Founded: 1070 CE
Founder: Emperor Lý Thánh Tông (Lý dynasty)
Original purpose: Confucian temple and royal academy
UNESCO status: Part of Hanoi’s tentative heritage list
Architectural style: Traditional Vietnamese with Chinese Confucian influence
Layout and architecture
The site is organized into five courtyards aligned along a central axis. Architectural highlights include the Great Gate, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, the Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature (Khuê Văn Các), and rows of stone stelae recording the names of doctoral laureates. Red-lacquered wood, tiled roofs, and lush courtyards exemplify northern Vietnamese design.
