The Temple of Literature was built in 1070 (the second year of King Ly Thanh Tong), dedicated to the saints, monks and nuns, and also served as a royal school. His first student was Prince Ly Can Duc, son of King Ly Thanh Tong. In 1076, King Ly Nhan Tong set up Quoc Tu Giam at the Temple of Literature as a school dedicated to the king's children and the great nobles in the court. In 1253, King Tran Thai Tong changed the National Academic Institute to the National Academy, extending and acquiring all the children of ordinary civilians with excellent academic qualifications. In the life of King Tran Minh Tong (1314 - 1329), educator Chu Van An was appointed National Quoc Tu Gie (headmaster) and teacher directly to the prince. In 1370, after his death, King Tran Thien Tong worshiped at the Temple of Literature next to Confucius.In 1785, King Le Hien Tong changed the National University to Thai Studies. At the beginning of the Nguyen Dynasty, Quoc Tu Giam was established in Hue, the Thai school changed into the Holy Revelation.
From the outside, the entire Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam area is surrounded by four sides by a wall made of large bricks - a popular architectural material in the post Le, creating an ancient space. glass, dignified, full of nostalgia. Inside the wall, the ancient architectural roofs hidden beneath the sumptuous leaves of the ancient trees that make this place a completely different scene with the outside, creating a special attraction for visitors.
In front of Temple of Literature, across the Quoc Tu Giam, there is a large lake, called Ho Van. Previously, in the middle of the lake there is Kim Chau moutain, on the set of a family - "Judge Thuy Dinh", where the ceremony of the Confucian poetry. Now the family has died, on the mound still stele set up in 18 Tu Duc 18 (1865) records the renovation of the Temple of Literature.
Located in a large campus, the interior of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is divided into 5 areas, separated by the walls built ancient brick.
The first area starts from the Temple of Literature to the Middle Ages. Before entering the Temple of Literature, visitors will have to go through foreign subjects including four large columns (four pillars) are built of brick, in which the two pillars are higher, the top of the two statues; the lower two pillars, the top of the head of the phoenix, the tail bunched together, four heads turn in four directions. The body embossed the pairs of Han opposite. Both sides have two beer "Lower code" (down horse).
Throughout the foreign subject, visitors will go directly to the Temple of Literature (inner psychology) including 3 arch doors, in which the central door 2 floors. The lower floor is designed to be large, with stairs upstairs. Outside of the lower floor only a roll door, two wooden wings, a semicircular door with two dragon faces on the moon. Upstairs is smaller, designed as a two-story 8 floor roof with 4 porches and 4 roofs. This floor is open 3 door rolling, the middle door has hanging bells, around the corridor wide, 4 sides with railing.
From Temple of Literature, follow the path tiled straight, visitors will come to the second gate is the Middle of the three rooms built on high brick, tile roof, three rows of columns, two sides with two small doors is the subject of Germany and the University.The three-door wall of the Great Middle East stretches out to the side of the wall along the outside, along with the horizontal wall where the Temple of Literature forms a square frame, with many green trees and shade. visitors feel relaxed when walking between the stately, stately.
The brick path from the Temple of Literature will continue to bring visitors to the second area, from the Middle Ages to Khue Van The. Built in 1805, Khue Van Cac is a square floor with 2 floors, 8 roofs. Downstairs are 4 brick bricks, 4 sides are empty. The upper floor has wooden architecture, roofed tile roof, four faces wooden board, each side is a round door, with the lane symbolizing the stars of Khe is shining in the sky. The two sides of Khue Van Cac are the two doors of the Secret and the Animal - meaningful names that praise the beauty and value of literature. Khue Van Cac is considered as a unique architectural symbol of Vietnamese culture and literature.
Stepping through Khue Van Cau, tourists will come to the third area of ​​the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam monument complex, which is Thien Quang well and the Dr. The Thien Quang well (Thien Quang province) is also known as Van Tri (Ao Van) is square, year round full of water. The water became smoothly reflecting the shade of Khue Van and the old trees, creating the scene shimmering, fanciful. In ancient times, the square well represents the land, the door guard Khue Van symbolizes the sky. The essence of heaven and earth is concentrated in the center of cultural education majestic midtown.
The paved road surrounding the Thien Quang well will lead visitors to Dr. Pham's house built on the left and right sides of the well. This is considered a valuable relic in the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam relic complex, including 82 stone inscriptions engraved with articles of enlightenment enrolled in the Confucius Confucian Institute of the Late Le Dynasty and the Mac (1442-1779). All the stelae are made in the same style