The Temple of Literature in Hanoi was built in 1070 by Emporer Ly Thanh Tong and is the location of Vietnam’s first university. It is still in good condition (compared to a lot of other historical sites we’ve seen) and is a great example of Vietnamese architecture.

The temple itself is dedicated to Confucius and contains 82 stelae inscribed with the names, birthplaces, and achievements of exceptional scholars. The stelae (pictured below) are mounted on top of stone tortoises, which represent wisdom, learning and stability. A visit here is awesome and a welcome escape from the busy city of Hanoi.

The outer gateway. Be sure to dismount!

Confucius says...

The stone stelae, inscribed in ancient Chinese.