04/10/2026
Welcome to the Temple of Literature, one of the most important historical and cultural sites in Hanoi.
The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070, during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong. It was originally dedicated to Confucius and other great scholars.
In 1076, the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university, was established here. For many centuries, it was a center of education where talented students from across Vietnam came to study and prepare for the royal examinations.
The complex consists of five courtyards, with beautiful traditional Vietnamese architecture, gardens, ponds, and ancient trees.
One of the most famous features here is the 82 stone steles, which record the names of successful doctoral candidates from the royal examinations. The steles stand on the backs of stone turtles, which symbolize longevity and wisdom.
For Vietnamese people, the Temple of Literature is not only a historical monument but also a symbol of education, knowledge, and respect for teachers.
Even today, Vietnamese students often come here before important examinations. They believe that visiting this place can bring good luck and success in their studies.
So, when you walk through the Temple of Literature, you are not simply visiting an old building. You are experiencing an important part of Vietnam’s 1,000-year-old tradition of education and scholarship.
I hope you enjoy your visit and discover the beauty and history of this special place.
Stone stelaes :
The most important historical relics are found in the third courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard is a square pool called the “Well of Heavenly Brilliance.” This is flanked on the east and west by two rows of stone stelae on pedestals shaped as tortoises, representing permanence.
The stelae record in ancient Chinese characters the names of the 1,304 successful candidates in the 82 mandarin examinations held between 1442 and 1779 under the Lê and Mạc dynasties. Under the feudal social system the king relied on a set of imperial officials (mandarins) to govern the country. This meant that not only had the king to be a man of virtue himself but he also had to select virtuous men from all quarters of his realm to assist him. This led to the establishment of a rigorous examination system to choose who would become mandarins.
The examinations were open to all young men of property. Under the Lê Sơ dynasty (1428–1527 CE), three categories of men were not allowed to attend examinations: criminals, musicians and singers, and those in mourning. The examinations were gruelling, involving numerous stages over several months.
