Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi, northern Vietnam, as known as the Temple of Literature, is a temple of Confucious. The temple hosts the Imperial Academy, the very first national University in Vietnam. Van Meu Quoc Tu Giam was built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, 1054-1072, it dedicated to Confucious, sages and scholars. There are statues of Confucious, his four best disciples, Yan Hui, Zengzi, Zi Si, Mencious and Duke of Zhou. Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam was established within the temple to educate Vietnam’s bureaucrats, bobles, royalty, other members of the elite, and of course the Crown Princes studied here. The university remained opened from 1076 to 1779, but then the academy lost its prominence due to the change of the capital in Nguyen dynasty. The temple layout is similar to the temples where Confucious’s birthplace are. It covers 54,000 square meters, including the Van lake, Giam park and the interior courtyards which are surrounded by a brick wall. The best time around to visit is during Tet, a traditional New Year in Vietnam. You will find many calligraphists assemble outside and write wishes in Chinese characters. The art works are given away as gifts or are used as home decorations for special occasions. You can also have a chance to see orchestra performing traditional music in honor the royal founders and Confucious.
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