Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)

Category: Special National Cultural Heritage | Location: 58 Quoc Tu Giam, Dong Da, Hanoi

The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam) stands as the foremost monument to Vietnam's venerable educational heritage and Confucian scholarship, established in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. In 1076, the imperial academy was founded alongside it, officially establishing Vietnam's first national university that nurtured prominent scholars, mandarins, and statesmen for over seven centuries. The complex is laid out across five symmetrical courtyards enclosed by ancient brick walls, anchored by the iconic Khue Van Cac (Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature) with its circular sunburst windows. Its crowning jewel is the serene Garden of Stelae, home to 82 weathered stone doctor stelae mounted on stone tortoises, meticulously recording the names of doctoral laureates from 1442 to 1779, honored by UNESCO as World Documentary Heritage. Today, the site remains a sacred cultural haven where graduates and students come to seek academic blessings and celebrate scholastic achievements. Visitors can wander through lotus-filled reflection ponds, admire preserved ancient calligraphy scrolls, and experience the timeless intellectual dignity of old Thang Long.