Temple of Literature was built in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty to honor Confucius, doctorates and high rank scholars of Vietnam. In 1076 under Ly Nhan Tong’s dynasty, Quoc Tu Giam was constructed, serving as the first university of Vietnam. It was renovated in 2000 on the occasion of 990 years anniversary of Thang Long, Hanoi. At first, it was school only for children of royal family and later on for all children in society.
Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam is divided into five courtyards indicating five elements according to Feng-shui theory such as Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. The Four Pillars (Great Gate) is the main gate of Temple of Literature. In the past, it reflected themselves into Lake “Ho Van” opposite Van Mieu. According to the fengshui, this shows the correspondence between yin and yang. On the top of the Four Pillars are “flanking young lion and dancing phoenix” usually built in ancient temples. In addition, young lions were believed to have ability to recognize good and bad things and protect the sacred land. Parallel sentences written in the Four Pillars show the fondness for learning of people.
There is a path connecting the Four Pillars to the Three Door Gate. The Three Door Gate or Van Mieu Gate has two storages and eight eaves. Above the gate are two dragons flanking the moon . Dragon is the first animal in the four sacred animals of Vietnam including “dragon, unicorn, tortoise and phoenix” to symbolize power. Dragon is always associated with King and usually appears in
architectural decoration in Royal Palace, temples and pagodas. Moreover, dragon can fly in the sky so it also symbolizes people’s desire to free themselves from limitations. Dragon symbolizes yang while moon associates with yin; therefore, the image “Two dragons flanking the moon” shows the correspondence between yin and yang. On the left of the gate is the image of “fish and dragon gathering” which depicts the happiness of successful students. On the right is the image of
“big tigers going down from mountains” referring scholars are ready for new era. Again, sentences written on the Three Door Gate aims at praise studying of people. In the past, only the King and senior mandarins used the main door while students and ordinary people went through the two small side gates.
The path takes visitors to Dai Trung Gate. There are two small lakes on the both sides of the path, symbolizing two eyes of a dragon, which usually appear in the architecture of pagodas, temples and sacred houses in Vietnam. Here in the past, it was said to be the favorite place for scholars to have discussion about poetry. Parallel with the path are two smaller ones leading to the two small doors called Thanh Duc on the right side and Dat Tai on the left side. Thanh Duc means obtaining virtues while Dat Tai means achieving talent. Virtue and Talent are two indispensable qualities of a sage. Studying will help to create men who have both talent and virtue to serve the King and country.
The third courtyard opens with Khue Van Pavilion and the two small doors “Bi Van” and “Xuc Van”. Bi Van and Xuc Van mean concise, clear and polished literature. Built in the dynasty of Nguyen Gia Long, Khue Van Pavilion has 8 eaves and one top. Khue Van is the constellation of literature, education and examination. Khue Van Pavilion reflects itself into the Well of Heavenly Clarity.
Khue Van was said to be the brightest constellation in the sky of 28 stars. The Well of Heavenly Clarity has a square shape symbolizing the land. The round window of Khue Van Pavilion with rays resembles the brilliant sun. It means that this place is the gathering of the quintessence of the Heaven and Earth. Students, native people and tourists have to pass through the Well, reflect themselves into
the Well to clear their ideas and purify their minds before entering the most sacred area of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam. There are now 82 stele of doctors in both sides along the Well of Heavenly Clarity. In 1484, the Emperor Le Thanh Tong erected 116 steales put on the head of turtles. Turtle, according to traditional belief, is one of the nation’s four holy creatures symbolizing longevity and wisdom. Among the 82 remaining steles is the one on which a famous sentence was engraved in the Year of Dai Bao “Virtue and talented people are the national resources.” On the steles, names, birth, native land of graduates of doctors were carved in order not only to honor them but also to encourage the next generation to follow their examples. Two stelea houses on both sides contain two stele of the
first exams of Le Dynasty in 1442 and 1448.
The fourth courtyard starts from Dai Thanh Gate. Its structure is similar to Dai Trung Gate. It was built under the Ly Thanh Tong dynasty and rebuilt under Nguyen dynasty. There are two small side doors called Kim Thanh and Ngoc Tran in the East and the West respectively leading to the inner Courtyard of Dai Bai and sanctuary Dai Thanh. The Great Kowtow Hall (Dai Bai Duong) is the place for worship ceremonies. There are fresh fruits and flowers on the incense table because Vietnamese people think that the alive and dead people are the same. In front of the incense table are statues of a crane standing on a turtle. It is believed that crane and turtle are close friends. When there is flood, turtle will help to take crane to higher area. When there is drought, crane will carry turtle on its back
and take turtle to water area. The two halls on each side of the fourth courtyard are the place to do worship for 72 successful students of Confucius. Dai Thanh Temple is the place to worship Confusius and his most talented students. On the East side were statues of Nhan Hoi and Tu Tu.
At the back of Dai Thanh temple is Thai Hoc Gate leading to Thai Học House. This is the fifth courtyard. It is the place for students to study. In the past, it was the center of training and teaching for talented people chosen from different areas nationwide. The whole Thai Hoc area contains a lot of parts, of which the Back. House is a two-storey wood building. On the first floor, in the middle of the house is the place to worship Teacher Chu Van An – the first Deputy Headmaster of Quoc Tu Giam. He is known as the Teacher forever and sets a good example of a good teacher. He is famous for his talent, virtue and outstanding teaching capability. On the second floor are there three statues of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, Emperor Ly Nhan Tong and Emperor Le Thanh Tong who had direct contribution to Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam’s construction and talented people training.
