VietNamNet Bridge – Let’s explore Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature), the first university of Vietnam through 360 degree pictures.

The Temple of Literature was constructed in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty, first to honor Confucius and nowadays to celebrate doctorates and high ranking scholars of Vietnam. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong continued the work and built Quoc Tu Giam as the first university of Vietnam.

The temple is divided into five courtyards, each with its own significance and history. The first courtyard stretches from the main gate to Dai Trung gate; the second stands out with Khue Van Cac pavilion. If you notice well, you will find the pavilion symbol on all street signs of Hanoi. The third courtyard is where doctor names were listed on a tombstone above tortoise backs.

There are a total of 82 tombstones, with names and origins of 1307 doctors, corresponding to 82 examination courses from 1442 to 1779. If you visit the temple at the beginning of the year or in May when many important examinations take place, you will catch sights of numerous students who come and rub the tortoise head. Such an act is believed to bring them luck to pass the test.

The fourth courtyard is dedicated for Confucius and his 72 honoured students, as well as Chu Van An- a famous teacherknown for his devotion to teaching. This is also where local authorities choose to cherish brilliant students in Hanoi, like those with top entrance results to university or top graduation outcomes.

The last and also furthest courtyard is Thai Hoc house, which used to be Quoc Tu Giam- the first university of Vietnam. Thai Hoc house holds a small collection of old time costumes for students and mandarins, as well as an explanation of the process of taking and passing the national examination.

The Temple of Literature has one of the most typical architecture style for centuries in Vietnam, composed of wood and tiles. Along the pass are100-year-old trees that have witnessed the ups and downs of history.

Van Mieu Mon or the three-door temple gate of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam. Khue Van Cac is a tower built by General Nguyen Van Thanh of the Nguyen Dynasty in 1805. Khue Van Cac is a symbol of Hanoi.     Thien Quang Well or Ao Van (Literatural Pond) is located behind Khue Van Cac. Thien Quang Well is also considered as the center of Van Mieu because all doctoral steles face the well.   On the two sides of the Thien Quang Well are 82 doctoral steles, with brief information about 1,304 doctors of 82 examinations from 1442 to 1779, which are placed on stone turtles.   Dai Thanh Mon is the third gate between Thien Quang Well, the doctoral steles and the temple. The gate is the entrance to the major architectural works of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam.     Dai Bai Duong is the place for rituals. Behind it is Thuong Dien (upper temple), where people worship the ancestors of Confucianism.   Thai Hoc courtyard, like Bai duong courtyard, was the place for examinations. Today it is the place for granting the title of Professor and Doctor.   Khai Thanh Temple is the last work. The first floor is the altar of teacher Chu Van An and where provides an overview of the history of the development of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam. The second floor is to worship the people who built Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam and contributed to Vietnam’s education of Confucianism, such as Kings Ly Thanh Tong, Ly Nhan Tong and Le Thanh Tong.   The drum tower on the right side of Khai Thanh Temple.   The bell tower on the left of Khai Thanh Temple. There are two independent works in Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam: Ho Van (Van Lake) and Vuon Giam (Giam Garden).   The diagram of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam.

Compiled by Pha Le

From vietnam-beauty/Zing