How To Visit The Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s Most Serene Attraction
Here’s how to visit the historic courtyards and traditional architecture of Hanoi’s famed Temple of Literature. Plan your visit with our in-depth guide to this must-see cultural landmark.
Tucked away in the leafy streets, hidden from Hanoi’s Old Quarter cacophony lies the exquisite Temple of Literature (Van Mieu).
Established in 1070 to honour and teach the learnings of Chinese philosopher Confucius and the pursuit of knowledge, the quiet calm and well-preserved Vietnamese architecture makes The Temple of Literature one of the top attractions in Hanoi (book a tour here).
Spread across a large, manicured site, and set across five courtyards, it’s on these very grounds that generations of Vietnam’s brightest minds sought enlightenment and wisdom, and you’ll feel the tangible history as you stroll the gardens and courtyards.
The complex features a marvellous array of traditional Vietnamese architecture, including halls, ponds and manicured gardens, and the stunning details and muted colours are breathtaking.
The Temple of Literature is so significant in Vietnamese culture that it is enshrined on the Vietnamese 100,000 Dong banknote.
Given the rich historical and symbolic significance of the site, we think this place is unmissable for any Hanoi itinerary. In this guide, we share the key information to plan your visit, including the historical context, what to see, when to visit, and additional tips to enjoy your Temple visit.
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TEMPLE OF LITERATURE SNAPSHOT
WHERE | The Temple of Literature/Van Mieu, Dong Da district, Hanoi
HOW TO GET THERE | Join a tour, Grab or walk from Old Quarter
COST | 70,000 VND per person, and 35,000 VND for students
OPENING HOURS | 8 am - 5 pm, daily
TOURS | Visit with this Hanoi half-day tour., or this Hanoi motorbike tour
UNDERSTANDING THE HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, HANOI
Ashamedly, we had little idea of the reverence and significance of the Temple of Literature before we visited, so we think it’s important to actually understand the history of the complex, and what place it holds in Vietnamese society and culture before you step foot inside.
The temple was originally built by Emperor Lý Thánh Tông all the way back in 1070 and was dedicated to China's most famous teacher, philosopher, and political theorist, Confucius, whose teachings deeply influenced Vietnamese society and governance at the time. Makes sense, considering China is a close neighbour, and their influence was (and still is) strong in the northern reaches of Vietnam.
The Temple increased in significance in 1076 when Emperor Lý Nhân Tông established the Imperial Academy (Quốc Tử Giám) within its walls.
The academy was Vietnam’s first national university (and remained until 1779) and aimed to educate the sons of Vietnam's bureaucrats, nobles, royalty, and other members of the elite, before opening to intelligent commoners in 1253.
The curriculum was based on Confucian texts, including the "Four Books and Five Classics," which at the time were essential study material to understand the Confucian worldview and pass the imperial exams.
Over time, The Imperial Academy became the epicentre of Vietnamese intellect, and scholars from across the kingdom travelled to Hanoi to explore philosophy and learning in the hope of serving in the imperial bureaucracy (cushy bureaucracy was all the rage, even back then!).
In 1802, the Nguyen dynasty founded Hue as the national capital and established a new imperial academy in the city. Thankfully, though, the French protectorate registered the Temple as a historic monument (maybe the only good thing the French did in Vietnam), and despite wars and revisions to the Temple over time, it remains pretty much the same as it was, all those years ago.
A WALK THROUGH THE FIVE COURTYARDS OF THE TEMPLE OF LITERATURE
The Temple of Literature isn’t a single temple, but rather a collection of five separate courtyards that make up the greater site. The Temple layout is inspired by Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, which is situated in the northeastern province of Shandong, China.
Upon entry into the complex, you’ll follow the central path which extends throughout the whole complex, taking you to each of the five courtyards.
Each courtyard has its own unique features and historical significance, which we’ll run through below, but you should most definitely visit, and spend time in each courtyard during your visit.
#1 | VAN MIEU MON (THE GREAT PORTICO) TO ĐẠI TRUNG MÔN (GREAT MIDDLE GATE)
As far as entrances go, The Great Portico, which leads to Đại Trung Môn, nails the grandeur and aesthetic game. The wildly impressive, two-tiered grand portico has three doorways and stylised reliefs on each side - the central and largest doorway was traditionally used by the Emperor and is flanked by two smaller side doorways, which, according to lore, signify the complementary virtues of talent and morality.
Above, on the second level, there's a bronze bell that was historically rung to announce the arrival of distinguished visitors to the temple complex, however on our visit, there was a distinct silence that fell over the complex as we entered… not unsurprising, really.
Once inside, the courtyard spans out, filled with neatly trimmed lawns, ancient trees and two rather murky, lotus-filled ponds. The central pathway leads to the pretty open-air pavilion of Đại Trung Môn.
#2 | KHUÊ VĂN CÁC (CONSTELLATION OF LITERATURE PAVILION)
Stepping through Đại Trung Môn, the cobbled pathway leads you under towering Banyan trees to the second, and most impressive courtyard, Khue Van Cac, or Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature.
Built in 1805, the stunning two-storied pavilion symbolises the temple's dedication to culture and learning and features a four-square roof, intricate stone and wood carvings, elaborate terracotta roof, and round windows that, against the backdrop of the deep-green trees, is absolutely beautiful.
Look out for the topiaries, and bushes that are trimmed into shapes, each which represents the 12 zodiac animals.'
#3 | THIÊN QUANG TỈNH (WELL OF HEAVENLY CLARITY) AND THE STELAE OF DOCTORS
Once you’ve passed through the delicate pavilion of Khue Van Cac, the courtyard of the Well of Heavenly Clarity (Thiên Quang Tỉnh) opens up before you. Surrounded by a colourful bouquet of flowers and plants, the rectangular pond symbolises purity and clarity. And while it’s beautiful, it’s certainly not clear nor pure.
On either side of Thiên Quang Tỉnh stands two great halls that contain the most unique and intriguing features of the complex, the Stelae of Doctors. Emperor Lê Thánh Tông initiated the creation of the stone stelae, and commissioned 116 of them, each mounted on carved blue stone turtles which symbolise wisdom and longevity in Vietnamese culture.
The stelae list the names and achievements of scholars who passed the royal exams and attained doctoral ranks in the royal courts, between 1442 & 1779, and while only 82 remain, they remain super popular with current-day students, who come to rub the heads of the statues before their exams.
Out of all the courtyards, we probably spent the most time here. The stelae in particular were super intriguing, and the backdrop of the pond, banyan trees and the pavilion of Khue Van Cac made for some of our favourite photos from the trip.
It’s also worth noting that this scene is on the 100,000 Vietnamese Dong bank notes.
#4 | ĐẠI THÀNH MÔN (GATE OF GREAT SYNTHESIS) AND THE MAIN TEMPLE
The fourth courtyard is the ceremonial heart of the Temple of Literature. After stepping through the impressive Đại Thành gate (Great Synthesis gate), a large square spans out, filled with detailed bronze statues and topiaries (and a LOT of people).
The house of ceremonies (Đại Bái Đường) stands at the rear of the courtyard and is grand and ornate - all crimson doors and wooden columns etched with intricate carvings, flanked by large potted bonsai (penzai).
Throughout the day, shadows dance through open doors, and glimpses of light illuminate hidden corners. This part of the temple is gorgeous, so it’s understandable it was once so sacred that even the emperor was forbidden entry.
Inside, amongst the floating incense trails, Confucius and his four closest disciples—Yanhui, Zeng Shen, Zisi, and Mencius, are worshipped. You’ll notice offerings of all types sat upon the elaborately decorated altars, from lollies and biscuits to ubiquitous lotus flowers.
There are also numerous bronze cranes standing on the backs of tortoises throughout the temple. As with everything in the complex, there’s symbology attached to these - the tortoises represent heaven and earth, and the crane longevity.
A small museum nearby displays artefacts such as inkwells, pens, books, and personal items belonging to the students who once walked these hallowed grounds.
#5 | THÁI HỌC (HOUSE OF CEREMONIAL TEACHING)
The final courtyard in the Temple of Literature complex is known as Thái Học. This was where the original Imperial Academy/university once stood, built by Emperor Lý Nhân Tông in 1076. However, it was raised in 1946 during the First Indochina War to house war victims.
Thankfully, it’s been carefully rebuilt and restored in its original style over the last 25 years. While not as significant as other courtyards, we found it the least interesting, mostly due to its lack of original form, it’s massive, and its main building, Thái Học, houses a number of exhibits on the Confucian education system in Vietnam.
While the lower level contains a statue of Chu Văn An, a respected teacher and former rector of the academy, the upper level, in particular, is worth a look - it’s dedicated to the three most important monarchs to have served over the Temple’s lifespan, Lý Thánh Tông, who founded the temple; Lý Nhân Tông, who established the Imperial Academy; and Lê Thánh Tông, who commissioned the turtle stone stelae.
Additionally, we suggest checking out the bell and drum tower, which houses a large bronze bell and a drum.
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE INFORMATION & FAQS
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE MAP & HOW TO GET THERE
The Temple of Literature/Van Mieu is located in the Dong Da district, a leafy green neighbourhood about a 30-minute walk/10-minute Grab west of the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
Thankfully, it’s quite close to a number of Hanoi’s major attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Precinct, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and Train Street (southern), so we suggest including it as part of your sightseeing in the area.
To get there, we suggest using a Grab, or walking. Grab is Asia’s Uber equivalent, and we found it the best way to get around Hanoi. Alternatively, if you’d prefer a more local experience, buses 2, and 41 stop at Van Mieu bus stop (map).
Address | 58 P. Quốc Tử Giám, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa, Hà Nội, Vietnam (map)
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE TICKET PRICE AND OPENING TIMES
Given its popularity, especially amongst Vietnamese students hoping for good luck, and posing for graduation photos, the Temple gets busy, especially on weekends and in the lead-up to Tet (Vietnamese New Year).
As we always recommend for any attraction around the world, arriving early will provide a better experience to explore the complex without crowds.
TICKETS
Entrance tickets are 70,000 VND per person, and 35,000 VND for students, while children under 16 enter for free. Tickets are purchased at the entrance gate which can be found here. Once a ticket has been purchased, you’ll use your printed QR code ticket to enter through the e-ticketing gates at the Grand Portico.
It’s our understanding that there are no family ticket options (we asked, but things were lost in translation), however, if you find otherwise, please let us know in the comments below.
OPENING HOURS
The opening hours of the Temple of Literature are 8 am - 5 pm, daily.
We'd advise giving at least 1 - 2 hours for a suitably paced visit, however, if joining as part of a tour, expect to be done in under an hour. If you wish to take your time and truly embrace the calmness of your surroundings, by all means, stay longer.
Before visiting the temple, note the following:
Dress conservatively and avoid revealing clothes
Do not make loud noises, especially around the worshipping areas
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE TOURS
While there are no tours of the Temple per se, the Temple is included on several Hanoi city tours, including half-day and full-day options.
If you’re in Hanoi for a short time, we suggest joining one of these city tours and they provide a great insight into Hanoi’s rich history and culture, as well as seeing a number of the city’s major attractions.
Below are three of the best tour options which include visits to the Temple of Literature:
HANOI HALF-DAY TOUR | Experience Hanoi's rich culture on this half-day small group tour. Visit key city highlights such as the Old Quarter, Ho Chi Minh Complex, and the Temple of Literature. The tour includes English-speaking guides, transfers, and morning or afternoon departures.
HANOI CTY TOUR BY MOTORBIKE | One of the most exciting tours in Hanoi, this fun motorbike tour takes in key landmarks including the St. Joseph Cathedral, Long Bien Bridge, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and the Temple of Literature. The tour ends with Hanoi's famous egg coffee.
HANOI CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS TOUR | Visit Trấn Quốc Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature as part of this full-day cultural tour of Hanoi’s major attractions. In addition to the tour, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch and explore the vibrant Old Quarter.
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