While Hanoi’s Temple of Literature is a bustling symbol of academic achievement, Hue’s own Temple of Literature (Văn Thánh Huế) offers a quieter, more contemplative experience—rich with history and spiritual reverence.
Established during the expansion of the Nguyễn Lords, the first Temple of Literature in Phú Xuân (now Hue) served as the Confucian worship site of southern Vietnam (Đàng Trong). Though the original construction date remains unclear, it was relocated to Long Hồ commune in 1770 and later rebuilt under King Gia Long in 1808. A defining feature of this reconstruction was the replacement of Confucian statues with wooden ancestral tablets, a shift reflecting the Nguyễn Dynasty’s belief that statues were inappropriate for worship.
Perched on a hill in Hương Long Ward, facing the Huong River, the temple’s elevated position—nearly 3 meters above its surroundings—offers a commanding view of the tranquil countryside. The site spans about 3 hectares, enclosed in a square citadel with impressive architectural symmetry. The complex includes:
- Đại Thành Palace, the main hall honoring Confucius, the Four Sages, and the Twelve Philosophers.
- Đông Vu and Tây Vu, dedicated to other Confucian scholars.
- Hữu Văn Đường and Di Lễ Đường, where kings and officials prepared for ceremonies.
- Thổ Công Temple, along with auxiliary structures such as a kitchen and warehouse.
The temple’s architecture, primarily built from Lim wood, radiates scholarly elegance. Visitors enter the grounds through three symbolic gates: Linh Tinh Môn, Văn Miếu Môn, and Đại Thành Môn, transitioning from the outside world into a sacred space.
In the central courtyard stand two imperial steles: one from King Minh Mạng forbidding eunuchs from politics, and another from King Thiệu Trị banning royal in-laws from governmental roles. Flanking these are 32 Doctoral Steles, engraved with the names of 293 scholars who passed imperial exams between 1822 and 1919. These finely carved stones are not just academic records, but works of art reflecting the reverence for intellect in Vietnamese culture.
A unique feature is the “Khuynh cái hạ mã” stele, reminding officials to lower parasols and dismount before entering—an ancient expression of respect.
While less crowded than its Hanoi counterpart, Hue’s Temple of Literature holds a deep, quiet charm. It speaks not with grandeur, but with a soft reverence for learning, tradition, and the enduring spirit of scholarship that once shaped the Nguyễn Dynasty’s imperial capital.