The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) was founded in 1070 as a temple to Confucius, and a few years later the Imperial Academy, often called Vietnam’s first university, was established beside it. For centuries scholars studied the Confucian classics here and sat the royal examinations.
Today you walk through five walled courtyards along a central axis: gardens and ponds, the Khue Van Cac pavilion that has become a symbol of Hanoi, and the stelae of doctors — 82 stone tablets on the backs of stone turtles recording the names of laureates of the examinations from the 15th to 18th centuries. They are inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World register.
What to see and do: Temple of Literature
Walk the five courtyards
Allow around an hour. The last courtyard holds the Imperial Academy buildings and altars.
Find the stelae of doctors
Touching the turtles’ heads was once thought to bring luck in exams; today they are protected by railings.
Watch the graduates
In spring and at graduation time students come in gowns or ao dai for photos — colourful and busy.
How to get to Temple of Literature
- By Grab or taxi: about 10–15 minutes from Hoan Kiem Lake; the entrance is on Quoc Tu Giam street.
- On foot: roughly 30 minutes from the lake, or combine with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum 20 minutes further north.
- With a tour: almost every city highlights tour includes it.
Insider tips
- Go at opening time to avoid the tour groups.
- Shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Evening night tours with lighting are offered on some dates.
Best tours & tickets for Temple of Literature
These GetYourGuide experiences include Temple of Literature or pair well with it:
Walking tour from €25 Hanoi City Highlights Walking Tour — Landmarks & History
A long walking tour through Hanoi’s landmarks with the history explained — a good first-morning orientation.
- Landmarks and history on foot
- Local guide
- Rated 5 stars
City tour from €29 Hanoi: Guided Half-Day City Highlights Tour with Transfers
A guided tour of the classic sights with transport between them. Check the listing for the exact stops on your date.
- Hanoi’s main landmarks with a guide
- Transfers included
- Half-day or longer options
Craft village tour from €14 Hanoi: Incense Village, Hat, and Lacquer Artisanal Tour
A trip to craft villages outside Hanoi: the photogenic incense village, conical hat makers and a lacquer workshop. Very popular and inexpensive.
- Incense-making village
- Conical hat makers
- Lacquer art
