Temple of Literature - Vietnam's first university

The Temple of Literature was built in October 1070 for worshipping sages and saints of Confucianism (Confucius, Mencius and others).

The Temple of Literature was built in October 1070

Six years later (1076), the National University was built at the rear of the temple. Originally, it was only a University for princes, but later it also admitted bright students from the populace.

The whole Temple of Literature is surrounded by brick walls. Inside the complex, there are walls separating it into five sections. The first one begins at the great portico on which Han characters are inscribed. Under the gate, there are two stone dragons made in the style of the early Lê Dynasty (15th century). The main path running through this gate leads to the Great Middle Gate which marks the second section. 

This gate is flanked by two smaller sates. The main path leads to the Khue Van Cac (Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature). There are also two small gates on both sides of Khue Van Cac. The third section is that between the Khue Van Cac and Dai Thanh Mon (the Gate of Cheat Synthesis). In the middle of this area there is a square lake called Thien Quang Tinh (Well of Heaven Clarity), which is bordered by walls.

At the rear of the Great House of Ceremonies is the Quốc Tử Giám

On both sides of the well are pavilions of steles. These steles record the names of those who attained the Tien Si, or doctor laureate degree. In 1993, with the financial aid from an American business organization, eight pavilions were built to protect the steles.

Tiến Sĩ were those attaining the highest degree in the Court examinations (thi Đình). In ancient times, students after about ten years of study were able to participate in the thi Hương ( interprovincial competitions-examinations) which were held once every three years. Those who scored the highest marks in such exams were conferred with the title of Cu Nhan (bachelor). A year later, these bitchcJors came to the Capital lo take part in the first stage of the Court competition-examination (thi Hội). 

Winners of this stage were allowed to go ahead with the second stage, thi Đình. Winners of the tiến sĩ might be appointed court mandarins or local administrators, up to date, 82 steles have been preserved, the oldest of which records the exams in 1442 and the most recent is the 1779 exams. These steles are the most valuable relics of the Temple of Literature. Walking through Đại Thành Môn, we come to the fourth section.

The National University was built at the rear of the temple

There is a large courtyard to the left and right of which stand two rows of houses, originally used to accommodate the altars for the 72 disciples of Confucius. At the rear of the courtyard is the Great House of Ceremonies and the Sanctuary where various precious objects are found: a bell cast in 1768, on the left and on the right is a stone gong with an engraved essay telling us the usage of this musical instrument.

The present appearance of the Temple of Literature dates back at least to the Le Dynasty (15th-18th centuries), except for Khue Van Cac which was constructed at the start of the 19th century. However, the present general disposition of the Temple of Literature is similar to that in other countries (such as the Temple of Literature in Qu-fu, China, the birth place of Confucius - where there are also the Great Middle Gate, Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature, the Gate of Great Synthesis, the Sanctuary of Great Synthesis and stone steles). The Khuê Văn Các in Hà Nội’s Temple of Literature used to serve as the place for commenting on excellent poems and essays by examinees.

At the rear of the Great House of Ceremonies is the Quốc Tử Giám, the National University of the Lê Dynasty. When the Nguyễn Dynasty moved this University to Huế, this area was converted into Khải Thánh Temple dedicated to Confucius’s parents. It was damaged during the recent wars. However, this site has been restored with new constructions this year in 2000 as a contribution to the celebration of the 990th anniversary of Thăng Long-Hà Nội.

Hà Nội Past and Present Nguyen Vinh Phuc - The Gioi Publishers