Van Mieu, Hanoi

Whilst in Hanoi, we visited Van Mieu, the historic Temple of Literature, built during the Ly and Tran dynasties, beginning in 1010 AD. This Confucian temple was built to honour those scholars who were awarded their doctorate whilst studying there during the 700 years that it operated.

The final examination for each student was oral, and was administered by the emporer, who would question the student for several hoursin matters if history and philosophy, and administration.

In 1484, the emperor Le Thanh Tong began to inscribe the names of the graduating doctors on steles, the turtles.