A Confucian Heritage

It was a warm afternoon when I arrived, and Hanoi was humming with traffic and life as usual. The noise subsided as I stepped down from the famous Hanoi rickshaw and stepped inside Văn Miếu, the Temple of Literature. It was like walking into an oasis of silence I hadn’t expected in the middle of the city.

Walking through the gates felt like entering another time. Inspired by the Confucian temple in Qufu, China, its design is characterised by symmetry, simplicity, and harmony with nature.

Each of the five courtyards that I crossed had its own individual charm. The stone paths, green gardens, and lotus ponds created a serene atmosphere, where you naturally lower your voice and slow your steps.

One of the most memorable sights for me was the collection of stone steles resting on the backs of turtles—a sacred animal in Vietnamese culture. These steles are engraved with the names of scholars who passed the royal exams hundreds of years ago.

Locals and tourists alike lit incense sticks and bowed respectfully at the altar of Confucius and his four main disciples.

What touched me most was how young students still visit the temple before exams to pray for good luck. It reflected how Confucian principles of hard work, respect for teachers, and learning are still vital in Vietnam.

There was an event for which the students had created the examination pods out of bamboo, as it was traditionally made. I took the opportunity to sit on one of them for an experience.

Before leaving, I chose a shaded corner to write in my travel journal. As I picked up my pen, I realised how important it is to preserve spaces like this. The Temple of Literature, built in 1070 by Emperor Lý Thánh Tông, is not just a monument—it's a living reminder of values that are easy to forget in our fast-moving world: respect for learning, humility before wisdom, and the quiet dignity of scholars.