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.
Opening Hours
Daily 08:00-17:00 (until 18:00 in summer)
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.
Hotels near Temple of Literature
Hotels and guesthouses in Hanoi, Dong Da, Hanoi
Other attractions in Hanoi
Hoan Kiem Lake
A scenic lake at the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter, famed for the turtle legend and Ngoc Son Temple.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
The grand monument enshrining the embalmed body of Vietnam's founding father Ho Chi Minh.
Hanoi Old Quarter (36 Streets)
A thousand-year-old maze of alleys, each street historically selling a different trade's goods.
Hanoi Train Street
Hanoi's iconic alley where trains thunder past houses with mere centimeters to spare.
West Lake (Ho Tay)
Hanoi's largest lake with a 12 km shoreline, home to Tran Quoc Pagoda and a thriving cafe scene.
Halong Bay Day Trip
A UNESCO World Heritage bay studded with more than 1,600 dramatic limestone karst islands.