A lovely setting for Vietnam's oldest university. Wanderinf throgh the lovely gardens is peaceful - particularly as once outside the crazy traffic is buzzing continuously. The temple and its history is worth learning about. We were amazed that people tossed coins and some smaller notes onto the roof!

The Temple of Literature consists of five courtyards. The first two are quiet gardens while the last three contain halls which you can enter. There are also five ponds in the first three courtyards filled with water lillies. You can see the tablets which honoured exceptional students in the third courtyard. The two-storey building in the 5th courtyard, destroyed in 1946 and reconstructed in 2000, is the most impressive building. Adjoining the Temple courtyards is another garden open space that stretches its length. It is a quiet space in the bustle of Hanoi and it wasn't overly busy when we visited though you'll always have people posing for photos in front of the gates between each of the courtyards. On a practical note there is a wonderfully air-conditioned café onsite that serves delicious smoothies.

Exploring the temple complex was a peaceful and enlightening experience. The beauty of its ornate gates, traditional-style pavilions, and well-manicured gardens captivated me at every turn. The mix of vibrant reds, greens, and golds created a visually stunning atmosphere.

This place is a must while in Hanoi. Anything that is featured on the currency of a nation is usually worth checking out. Really beautiful grounds with trees, plants, pools, temples, and other buildings. We walked here from the Old Quarter, it’s not very far. We spent about an hour, but you could spend more looking at some of the various exhibits. Add this to your Hanoi trip!

Peaceful place with steele, tablets of stone, commemorating successful students in national exams to select government officials for 500 years. Interesting bonsai trees with miniature figures. Old temples.

Beautiful and peaceful! The oldest university in Vietnam, right in the middle of the city and easy to get to. The architecture was great. Lovely pools and plenty of greenery. Give yourself 45 minutes and enjoy. We were there in the middle of the afternoon, so there were a lot of people---it might have been less busy earlier, but it was not over crowded. There are nice shrines and some neat historical stuff to see. Worth a stop.

It was incredibly fantastic to hear about historical and current emphasis on morals and their education. Additionally, I was able to get contacts of why so many students will come and rub the heads of the turtle sculptures (despite the fact that they are protected today and are not intended to be disturbed). Even while we were there, there were parents walking about with their young children, encouraging them to approach the turtles and put their hands on their heads. The histories of the remaining structures are quite interesting.

We very much enjoyed our visit to the Temple of Literature, which was built in the 11th century and dedicated to Confucius and various scholars, as well as being home to Vietnam’s first national university. The design and meaning of the various buildings was really interesting, and it was a very peaceful place despite being in the middle of the city. I highly recommend spending a couple of hours here.

This is a peaceful manicured garden in the middle of the city and then some courtyards surrounded by small exhibitions. It doesn't take long to walk through. The exhibitions cover the history of the place, where student examinations were held and it is interesting to learn about that. You can also learn in general about the history of Hanoi city, and there are also some shrines dedicated to key rulers of the city. It is nothing groundbreaking and not truly essential, but worth a stop if you are in Hanoi for more than a couple of days.

A must-see for anyone looking to immerse themselves in unique Vietnamese culture. With its beautiful architecture, interesting displays, and ancient stelae, it is a perfect place to learn about the history of the country. The temple's courtyards and gardens are a tranquil haven in the bustling city, and the displays provide an insightful look into the past. An absolute must-visit for anyone looking to explore Vietnam's rich history.