Overview
Founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong of the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, the Temple of Literature is also home to Vietnam's first national university — Quoc Tu Giam, established here in 1076 and producing the country's elite mandarins for 700 years. A masterpiece of traditional Vietnamese architecture, the complex unfolds across five successive courtyards: the carp pond in the second, and the famous 82 stone stelae mounted on turtle backs in the third — each engraved with the names of 1,307 doctoral graduates. The complex appears on Vietnam's 100,000 VND banknote as a symbol of Vietnamese education and culture. Admission VND 30,000 (students 15,000). About 10 minutes by Grab from Hoan Kiem.
Travel Tips
During graduation season (May-July), Vietnamese students come to touch the turtle stelae for good luck — a special atmosphere. Adding a guided tour gives deeper insight into Vietnamese Confucian culture.
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🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers
Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Hanoi, Vietnam from Seoul (ICN).
Korean Passport · Visa
Check visa rules for Vietnam on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.
Flight from Incheon (ICN)
Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Hanoi on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.
KRW ↔ Local Currency
Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.
Korean Community · Korean Food
Many cities have an active Korean community in Hanoi with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Hanoi 한인" before you go.
Attractions near Temple of Literature
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Things to Do in Hanoi
Hanoi Motorbike Tour
Hop on the back of a local riders motorbike to explore the Old Quarter, Train Street, Long Bien Bridge, and West Lake. Reach hidden alleys inaccessible on foot.
Water Puppet Show
Watch the 1,000-year-old Vietnamese water puppet tradition at Thang Long Theatre. Wooden puppets perform folk tales on water accompanied by live traditional music.
Bia Hoi Experience
Join locals on plastic chairs at Ta Hien Street in the Old Quarter for fresh draft bia hoi, one of the world cheapest beers at VND 5,000-10,000 per glass.