Van Thanh - Temple of Literature

Temple of Literature, or Temple of Letters, popularly known as Van Thanh, was dedicated to Confucius (551 - 479 B.C) and the most celebrated Confucian scholars of China and Vietnam. It was also here that stone steles bearing names of successful candidates in the national examinations in Nguyen times (1802 - 1945) were erected.

In Hanoi, there had been another Temple of Literature dating back to 1070 in Ly times preserving 82 stone steles inscribed with lists of laureates of the Le Dynasty (1428 - 1789).

Dai Thanh Gate

After Hue had been made the capital of the country, the construction of a new Temple of Letters was started in 1808. It is located on the north bank of the Perfume River, 500m west of the Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady. It was once an ensemble of seven buildings and many minor constructions including 32 stone steles that bore the names of doctors and some others. They covered an area of some 3sq. hectares. The main and biggest Temple took the central position surrounded by others.

Most of the wooden structures have been damaged by time and wars. Remains of greatest value now are the stone steles on the court of the main temple. Two small houses shelter two steles with Emperors Minh Mang and Thieu Tri's inscription banning the privilege abuse by eunuchs and royal maternal relatives.

On 32 stone steles set in two facing rows are names, ages, and places of birth of 293 successful candidates in national examinations during 1822 - 1919. Most of them became the country's historic and cultural dignitaries such as Phan Thanh Gian, Phan Dinh Phung, Ngo Duc Ke, Huynh Thuc Khang, etc.

Doctoral stele at Van Thanh Hue