Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám

- History
The Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu) was built in October 1070 to worship
Confucianism's saints and sages. Six years later (1076), Quốc Tử Giám house (closed to Văn
Miếu), at beginning it is a place to educate the sons of mandarins.
- Construction
This ancient site offers a lake of literature, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles,
pavilions, courtyards and passageways that were once used by royalty. The Temple of
Literature is a place of study rather than a religious landmark. There are five courtyards at the
temple, two brimming with landscaped gardens, the third is home to a large pond known as
the Well of Heavenly Clarity, the fourth courtyard is called the Sage Courtyard and features a
statue of Confucius and a house of ceremonies, and the last courtyard is Thái Học in which
stands a large drum and bell tower.
The layout of the temple is based upon the birthplace of Confucius with a magnificent
main entrance and a path, once reserved solely for the king, running through the centre. The
immaculate gardens are rich in ancient trees and are considered a serene place in which
students can relax. There are stone statues and inscriptions dotted throughout the temple
which has retained many of its original features as the most renowned landmark of academia
in Vietnam.
  Hoàn Kiếm lake
- Location
Hồ Gươm is located in the center of Hà Nội capital, with an area of 12 hectares, the
length of south-north, the width of east-west is 200 meters. Hồ Gươm is an old stretch of the
Red River left over when it diverted to the east, which is a natural freshwater lake of Hà Nội
city.
- History
The lake has existed for a long time, a few thousand years ago, but before its official
name is Hoàn Kiếm, the lake has many names associated with different stories such as the
name of Lục Thủy Lake due to its green water all year around or “Thủy Quân Lake” (Hồ
duyệt binh) or “Tả Vọng Lake” under the Lê Mạt Dynasty... The name that people still use is
Hồ Gươm. The name “Hoan Kiem Lake” happened in the 15 th century which went with the
legend “Returned Sword”.
One day in early 1428 when King Le Loi boating on the lake, the Golden Turtle God
rose out of the water and asked for his magic sword. To celebrate this event, King Le Loi
decided to change the name of the lake to Hoan Kiem Lake which means that “The Lake of
Restored Sword”. The Turtle Tower in the center of the lake was also related to this legend. In
its original form, Hoan Kiem Lake was much larger than the lake of today.
 Ngọc Sơn Temple 
● Location 
Ngọc Sơn Temple Hà Nội is located on Ngọc Sơn Island in Hoàn Kiếm Lake, also
known as Hồ Gươm. Located on Hàng Dầu Street, the first gate consists of four pillars made
of bricks and two Mezzanine sections.
● History 
Ngọc Sơn Temple was built in the middle of the 19th century, exactly in the late 40s
of the nineteenth century. At first, it was called Ngọc Sơn Pagoda, but it was later renamed
Ngọc Sơn Temple because in the temple, worship only gods and not Buddha. In 1841 Hướng
Thiện repaired a temple, built a place of worshiping more worshiping God to enter the bell
tower that Tín Trai had built and this whole complex was called Ngọc Sơn Đế Quân Temple,
later called Ngọc Sơn Temple. Thus, from 1841-1842 in the temple has just worshiped
Buddha, worship Quan Đế and Văn Xương. The present temple is a completely new temple.
● Construction
Ngọc Sơn Temple was built in the shape of Tam. In the temple there are couplets,
diaphragms and sacred objects. The roof of Ngọc Sơn Temple is square, with three roofs, and
a two-storey roof with eight pillars supporting it. The system of the four outer pillars of the
temple is made of stone and the four inner pillars are wooden. The main temple is two
connected temples, worshiping Hưng Đạo Đại Vương - Trần Quốc Tuấn and Văn Xương Đế
Quân. In addition, the temple also worships Amitabha Buddha, Lã Động Tân and Quan Vân
Trường.
 Tháp Bút 
Tháp Bút was built in 1865, as of 2020 was 155 years old. The tower was built on a
mountain by stones. The square tower has five floors and on the fifth floor is a brush tip.
Thus, the total tower is 28.9m high.
 Đài Nghiên 
Đài Nghiên is located on the first building leading into the temple, it was a piece of
blue stone ink carved in the shape of a half peach, cut vertically, cut concave. A half peach
has three sickle thorns (toads), such as three tripod legs. Especially, the stone of Đài Nghiên is
engraved with the article of author Nguyễn Văn Siêu.

Thê Húc Bridge 

This ancient bridge was built during the reign of King Tự Đức (the fourth king of the
Nguyễn Dynasty). The first time was in 1897, Thành Thái dynasty. The second time was in
1952 after a bridge span broke on New Year's Eve in the Nhâm Thìn. The bridge was rebuilt,
instead of wood, the foundation was re-cast with cement. The bridge has a circular shape,
with 16 rows of piles, beams of horizontal and vertical casting by concrete. The deck and the
bridge are still wooden. The bridge is oriented to the east, oriented to the rising sun to catch
the integrity of that atmosphere.
 Đắc Nguyệt Floor 
The reason that the floor is called a moonlit floor is because in this position you can
enjoy the full moonlight. The architecture is a lovely small floor, consisting of 2 floors, 8
roofs, a smaller upper floor planted on a larger lower floor. Each floor has 4 roofs, on the 2nd
floor there is a circular window facing the East, above the window there is a sign painted with
yellow lipstick with 3 words Đắc Nguyệt Lầu. 

Ba Đình Square 
● Location 
Ba Đình Square was the west gate of Thăng Long Citadel with a dense population.
During the French colonial period, Ba Đình was the headquarters of the administrative offices
of the French Governor General in Indo China. 
● History
After the August Revolution 1954, the new Vietnamese Government also decided to
get the name of Ba Đình Revolution to name this special land of Hà Nội. After that time, the
Square was also called Độc Lập Square. During the anti-French resistance war, Ba Đình
Square was also called Hồng Bàng. From January 1, 1955, a solemn meeting was held to
welcome President Hồ Chí Minh, the Central Party Committee and the Government back to
Hà Nội Capital, this place was again called Ba Đình Square.
● Architectural  
In addition to Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum, the Ba Đình Square is also home to many
historical works, attractive attractions such as the Presidential Palace, The Stilt House, One
Pillar Pagoda... 

Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum 

Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum is also called by Việt Nam people with many names such as
Uncle Hồ Mausoleum, Ba Đình Mausoleum, Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum. Is a famous
architectural work built with the contribution of Việt Nam and Russia. On August 28, 1975
the Mausoleum of President Hồ Chí Minh was completed and inaugurated.
The mausoleum consists of three floors: The first floor is a series of stands built in the
shape of a ladder. The second floor is the Central part of the Mausoleum containing the
corpse room, the corridors and stairs up and down. The remains of President Hồ Chí Minh are
housed in a glass cage. The upper floor is a three level Mausoleum.

President Palace (Phủ Chủ Tịch) 

 President Hồ Chí Minh lived and worked at the Presidential Palace for 15 years (from
1954 to 1969). During the French colonial rule, the building was called the Governor General
of Indochina.
The Presidential Palace relic area is located in Ngọc Hà ward, Ba Đình district, Hà
Nội city. The entire area of the relic is more than 10 hectares, including houses, green
gardens, lawns, fish ponds and yards, paths. According to the nature of the architectural works
and activities of President Ho Chi Minh in those places, the relic is divided into three areas: 
Zone A: is the place where President Hồ Chí Minh lives and works.
Areas B and C: including the President Palace guest house, the Government Office
and the gardens surrounding these places. Currently, this sector State and Government are still
working.

One Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột) 

● Location 
Located in Ba Đình District, Hà Nội, near President Hồ Chí Minh’s Mausoleum and
located in the west Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long. The pagoda is also known as Diên Hựu
Pagoda, Mật pagoda, Liên Hoa Đài or Nam Thiên Nhất Trụ.  
● History 
The pagoda started construction in October 1049 lunar year. According to historical
books, the pagoda was built according to a dream of King Lý Thái Tông (1028 -1054).
● Architecture 
 The pagoda has a square structure made of wood, roofing tiles, with four roofs, four
curved heads with dragon heads. The stone pillar consists of two blocks attached to each
other. The path to the temple is a small staircase made of bricks. The upper part of the
cylinder consists of a system of wooden bars that form a solid frame supporting the temple
built above, similar to a lotus rising from the lake. 

Bát Tràng pottery village 

Location:  on the left bank of the Red River, now in Bát Tràng commune, Gia Lâm
district, Hà Nội, more than 10km southeast of the city center. This is a famous traditional craft
village for ceramic products. 
History: This craft village was formed in the Lý Dynasty, over 500 years of history
with many ups and downs at the same time, but the name Bát Tràng still exists and continues
to develop until now. 
 Vạn Phúc silk village 
Location: also known as Hà Đông silk weaving village in Vạn Phúc ward, Hà Đông.
Having existed for more than 1000 years, Vạn Phúc silk village is one of the most beautiful
silk weaving villages in Việt Nam. 
History: Vạn Phúc silk village was formerly known as Vạn Bảo. Due to the Nguyễn
Dynasty, the village was renamed Vạn Phúc. In 1931, for the first time, Vạn Phúc Hà Đông
silk was promoted to the international market at the Marseille fair and was rated by the French
as one of the most beautiful and delicate silk lines of Indochina. By 1958, Vạn Phúc silk was
exported to Eastern European countries and so far Hà Đông silk is popular in many countries
around the world. 

Phú Vinh bamboo and rattan village 

 Location: Phú Vinh craft village in Gò Đậu, Phú Nghĩa commune, Chương Mỹ.
Famous for the craft of bamboo and rattan from about the 17th century, about 20 km from the
center of Hà Nội. 
The village is famous for delicate and beautiful bamboo and rattan products, ranging
from items such as baskets, baskets... to souvenirs, decorations such as couplets, photo
frames, royal duels... or objects such as tables, chairs, vase, ... The materials that make up the
products are carefully selected by the craftsmen from the highlands and carefully handled:
bamboo drying, peeling, polishing, drying, splitting small…

Long Biên bridge

● History
Long Biên Bridge is the first steel bridge in Hanoi, also one of the first bridges built
by the French in Vietnam. The more than one-hundred-year-old bridge was constructed from
1899 to 1902 with the idea and construction of the architects Daydé & Pillé of Paris.
At the time it was built, Long Biên Bridge was one of the four greatest bridges in the
world.
● Construction
With the length of 2290 meters, Long Biên Bridge crosses the Red River, connects
two districts of Hà Nội – Hoàn Kiếm and Long Biên. Long Bien Bridge, one of the famous
bridges in Hanoi, started its construction in September 1898 and it finished after 3 years 7
months.
Long Bien Bridge includes 20 piers and bridge abutment with the depth of 30 m and
13.5 m in height. The construction of 2 roads on both sides and a railway in the middle seem
the most prominent of the bridge. With a length of 1,682 m and about 896 m long of
approaching the bridge, Long Bien bridge is divided into 9 frames with 61 m in length of
each, and it is the first bridge of the railway route running through Indochina and Hanoi – Hai
Phong route as well.

Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (Hoàng thành Thăng Long)

● Location 
The Imperial Citadel is located at 19C Hoàng Diệu Street, while the archeological site
is at 18 Hoàng Diệu Street. This is one of the most prominent monumental complex of the
capital. It is bounded by the Northern road of Phan Đình Phùng Street, South of Bắc Sơn
Street, West of Điện Biên Phủ Street, East of Nguyễn Tri Phương Street.
● History
The Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, is an intriguing relic of Vietnam’s history and,
signifying its historical and cultural importance, was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in
2010. Also known as the Hà Nội Citadel, many artefacts and items dating back to between the
6th and 20th centuries were excavated in 2004, including foundations of old palaces, ancient
roads, ponds and wells. The ancient site was the political centre of the country for 13
consecutive centuries and served as the capital of Việt Nam for eight centuries. 
● Artchitecture
The World Heritage Site comprises two sections: the archaeological site at 18 Hoàng
Diệu Street and the central axis of the Nguyễn Dynasty’s Citadel of Hà Nội, which together
create an integrated heritage complex.
Standing monuments in the Nguyễn Dynasty’s Ancient Citadel include the Flag
Tower (Kỳ Đài), the South Gate (Đoan Môn), the Kính Thiên Palace Foundation, the
Princess’s Pagoda (Hậu Lâu), and the North Gate (Bắc Môn).
 Hà Nội Flag Tower (Cột cờ Hà Nội)
Flag Tower is known as one of the most iconic symbols of Hà Nội. Built in 1805
under the reign of King Gia Long, Flag Tower is one of the few constructions of Hà Nội
Citadel, which have survived almost intactly. It now lies within the Việt Nam Military History
Museum compound.
Flag Tower consists of three storeys of bases and one tower. The pyramid-shaped
bases are tiled with bricks. There is a 54-step spiral staircase leading to the top inside. The top
of the flag tower takes the shape of an eight-sided observation floor. At the top of the floor is
a round column, where the flag has been fixed since Hà Nội’s liberation day (10 October
1954).

The 18 Hoàng Diệu Archaeological Site (Khu khảo cổ 18 Hoàng Diệu) 

The Archaeological Site at 18 Hoàng Diệu Street covers the area of 4.53ha, about
100m to the west of Kính Thiên Palace.
It houses many architectural vestiges and artifacts from Pre-Thăng Long period to
Đinh - Pre-Lê (10th century), Lý - Trần (11th to 14th centuries), Post-Lê - Mạc (15th to 18th
centuries). Artifacts here are mostly porcelain and ceramic wares used in the imperial citadel
through various stages of development.
 Kính Thiên Palace (Điện Kính Thiên)
Kính Thiên Palace was the centre of Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long in Lê Dynasty
and Hà Nội Citadel in Nguyễn Dynasty. Kính Thiên Palace is the central relic in the complex.
It was built in 1428 and used as a place to celebrate imperial ceremonies and major national
affairs. In 1886, the French colonists destroyed Kính Thiên Palace, except for two sets of
stone dragon steps and had a house built on the foundation of the palace including 2 floors
with 7 rooms. The house was used as the French headquarters of artillery and called Dragon
House.

Princess’s Pagoda (Hậu Lâu)

Hậu Lâu was built of brick and consists of a basement and 3 floors above. Hậu Lâu
was built in the north (the back) of Kính Thiên Palace for peace according to feng shui
principles. Therefore, it’s called Tịnh Bắc Lâu or Back Pavilion. Hậu Lâu was also known as
the Princesses’ building because it was accommodation for concubines of Nguyễn Kings
during their trip to Hà Nội Citadel. At the end of the 19th century, Hậu Lâu was seriously
damaged due to war and reconstructed by the French as a military post of the French army.
  North Gate (Bắc Môn)
Bắc Môn (Northern Gate) is the last remains of five gates of Hà Nội Citadel under the
Nguyễn Dynasty. Built of brick and arches of stone in 1805. Its two wooden doors, 16 tons in
weight, spread over 24m², running on bronze wheels weighing some 80kg. The two holes
caused by the cannonballs from a French war ship on 25 April 1873 in its outside wall still
remain. The gate is now used as a place to worship the two former governors of Hà Nội:
Nguyễn Tri Phương and Hoàng Diệu.
 South Gate (Đoan Môn)
Đoan Môn was built in the Lê Dynasty and located to the south of the Citadel. Only
members from the royal family were allowed to pass this gate. There is one main gate in the
middle and four smaller gates on the sides. Đoan Môn is the main gate of Forbidden Citadel,
directed toward the South. Constructed of stone and large square bricks, Đoan Môn has three
floors. The first floor includes 5 doors. The second floor is surrounded by a balustrade and
reached by two flights of stairs. The third floor features a gazebo-style pavilion with a two-
layer roof.
 Hỏa Lò Prison Museum
Location
Hoả Lò Prison (now a historical site of Hoả Lò Prison) is located at 1 Hoả Lò Street,
Hà Nội. In the past, this land belonged to Nam Phụ village, Tiền Nghiêm canton.
History
Hoả Lò Prison was built by the French in 1896 and named "Central Prison". The
location of the prison's premises is located on a trapezoidal plot of land in Phụ Khánh village.
Architecture
The total area of Hỏa Lò Prison and adjacent roads leading to the prison is 12,908
square meters. Surrounding the prison is a solid wall built of stone 4m high, 0.5m thick,.
Hoả Lò Prison is where the French colonialists once imprisoned tens of thousands of
Vietnamese patriotic and revolutionary soldiers throughout the provinces of Bắc Kỳ and Đà
Nẵng province .
After peace was established (October 10, 1954), the prison was renamed "Hà Nội
Prison Camp" and assigned to the Hanoi Military Management Committee, under the
management of the City Police. . From 1964 to 1973, Hoả Lò prison was also a place to hold
American pilots.

Trấn Quốc pagoda

Location
Trấn Quốc Pagoda is located on an eastern peninsula of West Lake, near the end of
Thanh Niên Street, Ba Đình District, Hà Nội. This pagoda is one of the oldest pagodas in
Vietnam, with a history of 1500 years.
History
Trấn Quốc pagoda was built during the reign of King Lý Nam Đế (in 541-547) in An
Hoa village, Quảng Đức district, near the banks of the Red River with the name "Khai
Quốc". During Lê Thái Tông dynasty (in 1440-1442), the king changed the name of the
pagoda to An Quốc.
In 1844, King Thiệu Trị of the Nguyễn Dynasty went to the North, visited the temple
and changed its name to Trấn Bắc, but now at home, the bell hangs on the diaphragm with the
words Trấn Bắc Tự, but the name Trấn Quốcc pagoda is too familiar to people.
Architecture
 Like most other temples in Vietnam, the structure and interior of Trấn Quốc Pagoda
are arranged in sequence and according to strict Buddhist principles. Consisting of many
layers of houses with three main houses: Tiền Đuờng, Thiêu Hương and Thượng Điện,
connected into the shape of the word “Công”.
The temple campus has the Lục Độ Đài Sen stupa built in 1998. The large stupa
consists of 11 floors, 15m high. Each floor of the tower has 6 arched doorways, in each box
there is a precious stone statue of Amitabha Buddha. The top of the tower has a nine-storey
lotus (called the Cửu Phẩm Liên Hoa) also made of precious stones.

Quán Thánh Temple

Location
Quán Thánh Temple is located on Thanh Niên Street, Hà Nội, this temple is not only
one of the Four Towns of Thăng Long but also becomes the oldest temple in Hà Nội.
History
Quán Thánh Temple was built during the reign of Emperor Lý Thái Tổ (1010-1028).
In 1823, King Minh Mạng changed the name of the temple to Trấn Vũ Quán. During the reign
of King Thiệu Trị in 1842, it was renamed QuánThánh Temple to this day.
Construction
The temple was repaired in 1838. The architectural parts of the temple after restoration
include: three gates, courtyard, three pavilions, the front hall, the middle palace, and the
apse.Statue of Huyền Thiên Trấn Vũ was reconstructed in black bronze. The statue is 3.96m
high, 8m in circumference. This statue is a unique work of art, marking the bronze technique
and talent of the Vietnamese people 3 centuries ago.

Đồng Xuân market

● Location:
Located in Hà Nội Old Quarter, in Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội. The market borders
on Hàng Khoai Street to the North, Cầu Đông Street to the South, Đồng Xuân Street to the
West, Đồng Xuân market lane to the East.
 ● History 

.In 1890, the small market meeting places were removed by the French government,
collected into an empty land in Đồng Xuân ward and established a market with the same
name.
On February 14, 1947, Đồng Xuân market was the place that suffered the biggest and
fiercest battle of Hà Nội's army and people in the early days of the resistance war.

In 1997, the market was once again caught on fire, causing heavy damage.
Experiencing many ups and downs in history, the market has been built and remodeled 3
times.
 Currently, it still has the old design but is equipped with emergency exit doors and fire
fighting equipment.
● Architecture

The market consists of three floors built gradually from bottom to top with a total area
of 14,000 square meters, with more than 2,000 large and small trade stalls. Not only has a
large space, the market also designs convenient aisles for customers to shop: 3 front
entrances, 3 rear entrances, 2 side entrances and many systems of stairs, elevators inside the
market.

Hà Nội Old Quarter

 ● Location
Located in the east of Thăng Long Imperial Citadel to the Red River, concentrated
mainly in Hoàn Kiếm district, Hà Nội.
● History
The Old Quarter was formed in the Lý – Trần dynasties. At this time, people from
villages around the Northern
 ● Architecture
Hanoi Old Quarter is a unique architectural complex bearing the Vietnamese national
identity. Area 36 streets are part of the urban area in the overall Thăng Long citadel, formed
from the point of view of feng shui theory.
 Hà Nội Opera House

● Location
Hà Nội Opera House is an architectural work for performing arts located on August
Revolution Square, at 01Tràng Tiền Street, Hoàn Kiếm district, not far from Hoan Kiem Lake
and the Vietnam History Museum
 ● History
The land for the construction of the Opera House was formerly a swampy area
belonging to the land of two villages of Thach Tan and Tay Luong of General Phúc Lân, Thọ
Xương District.

● Architecture
The designers of the work sought to refer to the ancient Greek architecture of Corinth
combined with the style of the castle of Tuylory and the Paris Opera to create a separate
architectural block.
 Tip
When traveling to Hà Nội, should go in the flower seasons and especially the autumn.
Flowering season: Hà Nội is full of flowers all year round such as cherry blossom
(January), ban flower (February), lotus flower (Summer), milk flower (September - October),
chrysanthemum flower (October - December).
Autumn and early winter: Hà Nội at autumn until early winter is the best time in the
city. October of autumn is the most beautiful time to visit, every morning or sunset, the fields,
and rivers in Hà Nội have mist and hazy afternoon smoke.
We should limit to Hà Nội in the summer, from May to July and in the winter time of
November and December.
Cultural places: Hà Nội has many famous cultural tourist sites such as: One Pillar
pagoda, Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology, Hồ Chí Minh Museum, Ngọc Sơn
Temple, Trấn Quốc Pagoda, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, ...
Romantic places: Long Biên bridge, Gươm Lake, Tây Lake, Red River rocky beach,
Bách Thảo park, Thủ Lệ park, ...
Fun places: Big Church, iced tea on sidewalks anywhere, lakeside café, Keangnam
building more than 70 floors, ...
Shopping areas: Hàng Bạc Street, Hàng Gai street, Đồng Xuân market…
When coming to Bat Trang pottery village, you can experience pottery making right
there and can bring objects created by yourself.
Note
● The Temple of Literature
Wear neat, clean, dignified polite clothes.
Absolutely do not wear hats or smoke or carry flammable materials on the premises.
Only light 1 stick of incense at the prescribed place.
Go softly, speak quietly, maintain the hygiene of the environment.
Do not carry out superstitious activities, scams, gambling on the premises.
Do not rub turtle's head, write, draw, stand, sit on doctor's stele
● Ba Đình Square
Do not bring garbage indiscriminately around the square area do not step on the
grass…
Dress politely and seriously, do not wear too short offensive clothes when entering the
Mausoleum.
Go softly and quietly line up the right way to visit. Avoid shouting, loudly, jostling,
lining up in order.
Do not take photos or videos in prohibited areas, especially inside the Mausoleum.
Children under 3 years old are not allowed to enter the Mausoleum. 
Take your hat off your head and don't put your hands in your pockets or pants
Portable mobile phones need to be muted without making noise.
● Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long
Do not bring weapons, explosives, food with strong odors into the relic.
Wear polite clothes and do not do offensive actions.
Do not step on the grass, climb on the heritage sites or litter indiscriminately.
Do not use profanity, write or draw on the wall on the tree stump, causing disorder in
the relic.
Visiting time in the morning is 8:30am to 11:30pm from 14:00 to 17:00 except
Monday.
Do not use ultralight aircraft (flycam) filming and editing requires permission.
● Ngọc Sơn Temple
Only sells tickets for visitors to visit the central area of the temple.
 Need to keep order when going into the worship area and the places of worship of the
temple.
Do not wear clothes that are too short, lack of sophistication when entering the temple.
You should also not wear a hat, cover your umbrella when you burn incense and pray.
Should travel gently, limit laughing to ensure the solemnity of the temple.
When entering the temple you should remove your shoes and sandals outside.
Tourists who come through can freely take pictures outside.