HaNoi's Temple of Literature ("Văn Miếu")

On Friday, 19 January, spent about three hours here at the Temple of Literature 

It is dedicated to Confucius, and also commemorates several of his best disciples

This temple is nearly 1,000 years old. It was built in 1070, 

during the reign of King Lý Thánh Tông

 

The temple hosted Vietnam's first national university, 

the Imperial Academy (Quốc Tử Giám), from 1076 to 1779.

It has undergone numerous expansions and reconstructions in its time

At top center is a statue commemorating Confucius. 

During the some of the wars VietNam experienced 

in the 20th Century, huge sections of the temple 

were buried in sand protecting them from bombardment

In the final building are statues commemorating the first three monarchs 

during whose reigns the temple was built, and an influential 

rector / mandarin / teacher at the temple, Chu Văn An.

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Across the street from the temple, beautiful plaza, 

behind which is a small lake with an island, connected by an 

elaborate foot-bridge. Tết (VietNamese New Year: February 10th this year) 

preparations are evident in the stunning 

red and yellow lanterns and other decorations.