Two weeks in North Vietnam - 12/21 - 1/3/2023

Day  8- Temple of Literature 12/28/2023

Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) was established as a temple dedicated to Confucius by King Ly Thanh Tong in 1070. In 1076, his son founded the Imperial Academy, considered as the first university in Vietnam, and was famous for educating hundreds of well-known scholars and mandarins.

The temple is located to the south of the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long is a significant historical and cultural landmark in Hanoi,

The main gate to the temple of Literature.

Under the French protectorate, the Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám was registered as a "historic  in 1906. During the period of 1945–1954, the French demolished parts of the temple to make additional room for the Saint Paul Hospital since hospital capacity was full during times of war. Campaigns of restoration were pursued in 1920 and 1947 under the responsibility of École française d'Extrême-Orient (French School of the Far East)

As soon as you step in there is a large courtyard.

The entrance has a main door flanked by 2 small doors. On top of the gate there are 3 words written in ancient Chinese characters which translate to “Van Mieu Gate” 

Courtyard leading to the middle gate.

The Great middle gate (Dai Trung Mon) is the second gate inside the temple and after passing the main gate.  

The Great Middle Gate is supported by 9 red pillars with a red tiled roof in the style of an ancient communal house roof.

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We are now heading to Khue Van Pavilion (Khue Van Cac)

The entrance gate of Khue Van Pavilion

An ancient tree in the courtyard.

Khue Van Pavilion is a project built by Governor Nguyen Van Thanh in 1805, during the Nguyen Dynasty. This is a 2-floor structure, nearly 30 ft. high and includes 4 square brick pillars supporting the upper attic. The structure is located on a square ground, each side length is about 22 ft.

Thien Quang Well right after entering the Khue Van Pavilion.

 The Well and Khue Van Cac represent the essence of heaven and earth gathered in the ancient cultural and educational center of Thang Long Imperial Capital.

 On either side of the well stand two great halls which house the Doctorates's stone tablets.

The construction of the stone tablets began in 1484 under the Emperor Lê Thánh Tông. He erected 116 Tablets of carved blue stone turtles with elaborate motifs to honor talent and encourage study.

The tablets were inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2011.The 82 preserved stone tablets were erected between 1484 and 1780 and holds the names of the laureates of royal examinations held between 1442 and 1779 under the Le and Mac Dynasties. The tablets, designed as tortoise-mounted tablets, are clear accounts of around 300 years’ history of training and recruiting talented individuals to serve the national construction and defense of the country. The tortoise is traditionally considered a symbol of longevity and everlastingness in Vietnamese culture. The said inscriptions are written in Chinese.

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Dai Thang Gate leading to the 4th courtyard.

Panoramic view of the 4th courtyard.  In the center is the House of Ceremonies and on each side stand two halls with the original purpose was to worship the seventy-two most honored disciples of Confucius and Chu Van An (a rector of the Imperial Academy).

Large courtyard

Incense burner in the courtyard.

House of Ceremonies was used for important rituals and ceremonies. This area is dedicated to the worship of Confucius and his disciples.

Roof with dragon sculptures

The House of Ceremonies is supported by red columns and wooden beams.

Entering the Pagoda.  Hoa's rubbing the belly of a Heron for luck!

We are entering Thuon Dien temple.

Ornate dragon sculpture up on the roof.

The central Altar where Confucius and his four closest disciples Yanhui, Zengshen, Zisi and Mencius are worshipped. The sanctuary also hosts altars to ten honored philosophers

Here people come to burn incense and pry for good luck.

The altar with Confucius statue.

Buddha's hand (a variety of citrus that get its name from its unusual shape) on display at the altar.

We are now entering the 5th courtyard which is the final one.

The 5th courtyard is dedicated to the three monarchs who contributed most to the foundation of the temple and the academy: Lý Thánh Tông (1023–1072), who founded the temple in 1070, Lý Nhân Tông (1066–1127), who founded the Imperial Academy, and Lê Thánh Tông (1442–1497), who ordered the erection of the turtle stone stelae of doctor laureates in 1484.

The altar of Chu Van An who was a Confucian, teacher, physician, and high-ranking mandarin of the Trần dynasty. 

More altars lining the wall.

Books and manuscripts

Student outfit on the left and on the right is the a list of name of the 46 top graduated students.  exams are given once every 4 years and to be on the list you have to the top student.

NEXT... Maison Centrale (Hoa Lo)