Van Mieu, Temple of Literature, Confucian temple and ancient university in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Van Mieu, the Temple of Literature, is a Confucian temple complex and former university in Hanoi, Vietnam. The compound extends across five connected courtyards with ceremonial halls, gardens, study pavilions, and stone tablets mounted on turtle pedestals.
Emperor Lý Thánh Tông founded the temple in 1070 as a Confucian site for honoring scholarship. Six years later Vietnam's first national university opened here, training mandarins for over seven centuries until 1779.
Stone tablets resting on turtle pedestals honor 1307 scholars who passed doctoral examinations between 1442 and 1779. Visitors today see students dressed in traditional robes praying before the stelae for luck in their own exams and posing for photographs.
The complex opens daily and works best for a morning visit when the courtyards remain relatively quiet. Visitors move through the five courtyards in sequence, following shaded pathways that run between the pavilions.
The Khuê Văn pavilion in the second courtyard appears on the 100,000 dong banknote and serves as a symbol of the country's educational tradition. The wooden structure from 1805 shows four circular windows with sunburst patterns symbolizing enlightenment through knowledge.
Location: Hanoi
Inception: 1070
Founders: Lý Thánh Tông
GPS coordinates: 21.02861,105.83556
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:00
Vietnam retains an architectural heritage that spans several centuries. From the Confucian temples in Hanoi to the Cham towers in the country's interior, including the imperial citadels of Hué, these structures reflect influences from Hindu, Chinese, and European traditions that have shaped the land. Each building illustrates a specific period, from the 7th century with Po Nagar's towers to modern constructions of the 20th century. The Temple of Literature in Hanoi, founded in 1070, embodies the Vietnamese educational tradition with its five successive courtyards. In Hué, the Thien Mu Pagoda has stood since 1601 with its seven-story tower rising 70 feet (21 meters) over the Parfum River. The Cham towers of Binh Dinh and Nha Trang showcase the craft of this civilization through their brick ornaments and stone sculptures. The port city of Hoi An features an architectural ensemble from the 15th century, combining Chinese, Japanese, and European styles. These sites offer a tangible journey through the country's architectural and cultural evolution.
Vietnam extends more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from mountain regions in the north to the Mekong Delta in the south, offering travelers a wide range of natural and historical sites beyond urban centers. The country includes Buddhist temples like Bai Dinh and Thien Mu Pagoda, cave systems such as Son Doong and Hang En, and rice terraces at Y Ty and Hoang Su Phi. Geographic features span from limestone formations in Ninh Binh to coastal areas at Phu Quoc and Ly Son islands, and waterfalls at Ban Gioc along the Chinese border. Historical sites document different periods of Vietnamese history. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long in Hanoi preserves royal palace remains, while Po Nagar Cham Towers in Nha Trang date to the 7th century. My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam holds temple ruins from the Champa civilization, and Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City served as an underground network during the Vietnam War. The Mekong Delta in the south consists of waterways, floating markets and traditional villages, while Mui Ne sand dunes and Lang Co Beach present different coastal landscapes.
Hỏa Lò Prison
1.2 km
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
901 m
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
612 m
Saint Joseph Cathedral
1.4 km
Stone stele records of imperial examinations of the Lê and Mạc dynasties
1 m
Presidential Palace of Vietnam
1.2 km
Hàng Đẫy Stadium
288 m
Quán Thánh Temple
1.6 km
Ho Chi Minh Museum
845 m
Flag Tower of Hanoi
620 m
Presidential Palace Historical Site
1.1 km
Vietnam Military History Museum
634 m
Quán Sứ Temple
1.1 km
Lenin Park
527 m
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts
267 m
Hanoi Botanic Garden
1.4 km
Hanoi Citadel
1.1 km
Trụ sở Bộ Ngoại giao Việt Nam
804 m
Cua Bac Church
1.5 km
Phố Bích Họa Phùng Hưng
1.6 km
B-52 Victory Museum
1.2 km
Hanoi Police Museum
1.2 km
Dai Trung gate
60 m
Constellation of Literature pavilion
55 m
Main gate of the Temple of Literature, Hanoi
1 m
Well of Heavenly Clarity
140 m
Vietnam Contempory Art Theatre - Lotus Water Puppet Center
1.6 km
Huu Tiep Lake
1.4 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes