Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, the Temple of Literature, is a walled complex in Dong Da, Hanoi, founded in 1070 by King Ly Thanh Tong to honour Confucius. In 1076 it became home to Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam’s first national university, which trained the country’s scholars for centuries. Its best-known sights are the Constellation of Literature pavilion and 82 stone steles recording doctoral laureates from 1442 to 1779.
It is open every day, costs 70,000 VND for adults and is free for children under 15. An hour covers the courtyards; understanding them takes someone to explain what you are looking at.
Walk the five courtyards with someone who reads the stones
Our half day spends most of its time here, with a calligraphy session and pickup and drop-off wherever you ask.
★Temple of Literature Half-Day Private TourVietnam’s first university in depth, a calligraphy session with a scholar, and the Ho Chi Minh complex. · 4 hoursSee the tour →Hanoi Through Its Scholars, Temples and Streets: Full-Day Private TourThe Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison, the Old Quarter and a water puppet show. · About 9 hoursSee the tour →Two names, one place
Van Mieu means Temple of Literature: the shrine to Confucius and his disciples. Quoc Tu Giam means the Imperial Academy: the school that grew behind it. Visitors walk through both in one continuous line of courtyards, which is why the site carries a double name.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1070 | King Ly Thanh Tong founds the Temple of Literature to honour Confucius |
| 1076 | Quoc Tu Giam opens as the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first university |
| 1253 | Under the Tran, the academy admits gifted sons of ordinary families, not only nobles |
| 1442–1779 | Stone steles record the laureates of the royal doctoral exams |
| 1805 | The Constellation of Literature pavilion is built |
| 2026 | The 950th anniversary of Quoc Tu Giam |
The five courtyards, from street to school
The complex runs north in a straight line, each gate leading further from the city and closer to learning.
| Courtyard | What you find |
|---|---|
| First and second | Quiet lawns and old trees behind the main gate; the Great Middle Gate |
| Third | The Constellation of Literature pavilion and the square Well of Heavenly Clarity, flanked by the halls of steles |
| Fourth | The Great Success Gate and the main sanctuary honouring Confucius and his disciples |
| Fifth | The Imperial Academy, rebuilt, with shrines to the kings who founded and supported it |
The pavilion on the banknote
The Constellation of Literature pavilion — red-lacquered, raised on four white brick pillars, with a round window on each side — is the symbol of Hanoi and appears on the 100,000 dong note.
Visiting: tickets, hours and what to wear
| Detail | Now |
|---|---|
| Address | 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Dong Da, Hanoi |
| Hours | 8:00–17:00 daily; 7:30–17:30 from mid-April to mid-October |
| Ticket | 70,000 VND (~$3) for adults; free under 15 |
| Time needed | About an hour on your own; 90 minutes or more with a guide |
| Dress | Shoulders and knees covered |
Mornings are quieter before school groups arrive. At weekends in spring and early summer, the courtyards fill with graduates in gowns taking photographs — lively to watch, harder to photograph around.
The Temple of Literature, explained
Private half day with a licensed guide and a calligraphy session; pickup and drop-off wherever you ask.
Temple of Literature Half-Day Private Tour4 hoursSee the tour →Hanoi Through Its Scholars, Temples and Streets: Full-Day Private TourAbout 9 hoursSee the tour →Questions about Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam
What is Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam?
The Temple of Literature in Hanoi: a shrine to Confucius founded in 1070 and, from 1076, Vietnam’s first national university, the Imperial Academy.
How much is the ticket to the Temple of Literature?
70,000 VND (~$3) for adults; children under 15 enter free.
What are the stone tortoises at the Temple of Literature?
Stone tortoises carrying 82 steles engraved with the names of doctoral laureates from 1442 to 1779, recognised as a national treasure.
How long do you need at the Temple of Literature?
About an hour to walk the courtyards; 90 minutes or more if you want the history explained.
Is the Temple of Literature on the 100,000 dong note?
Yes, its Constellation of Literature pavilion is.
See the courtyards with a guide
Tell us your date; we arrange the half day, the calligraphy session and your pickup.
★Temple of Literature Half-Day Private TourVietnam’s first university in depth, a calligraphy session with a scholar, and the Ho Chi Minh complex. · 4 hoursfrom$35/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$95BOOK →2 guests$110BOOK →3 guests$125BOOK →4 guests$140BOOK →See the full tour page →Hanoi Through Its Scholars, Temples and Streets: Full-Day Private TourThe Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh complex, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison, the Old Quarter and a water puppet show. · About 9 hoursfrom$84/ person›
Choose your group size · price is the group totalSolo traveller$195BOOK →2 guests$240BOOK →3 guests$285BOOK →4 guests$335BOOK →See the full tour page →Dates, hours and ticket prices were checked in September 2026 against the site and published sources.