On top of the historical and cultural sites in the capital of Vietnam is the Temple of Literature functioning as the Confucian temple as well as Vietnam's first university. It has long been the tourist attraction in the city of Hanoi and also become the place many students come to pray for luck before entering the important examinations.

The temple was founded in 1070 by the emperor Ly Thanh Tong in honor of Confucius. In 1076, the Quoc Tu Giam or Imperial Academy was established within the temple for the purpose of educating mandarins' children, the aristocrats and the brightest commoners. It is considered as the first university in Vietnam training thousands of talented men over the period of 700 years.

The structure consists of five separate courtyards. The central pathways and gates between them were reserved for the Kings. From the main twin-tiered Van Mieu gate to the Dai Trung gate is the first courtyard. Next is the second courtyard running from the Dai Trung gate to the Khue Van pavilion which was built in 1802 and is a fine example of Vietnamese architecture. The first two courtyards are restful places of secular trees and well-trimmed lawns.

The true treasures of the temple are in the third courtyard stretching from the Khue Van pavilion to the Dai Thanh gate. Central to this yard is the Thien Quang Tinh (Well of Heavenly Clarity), either side of which stand two halls housing 82 stone steles which are considered as the most precious artifacts in the temple. The steles placed on top of stone turtles records names, places of birth of 1306 doctor laureates in the triennial exams held from 1442 with a view to encouraging spirit of study and bestow honor on the talented men who assisted the Kings in defending the country.

The fourth courtyard used to contain altars of 72 of Confucius' greatest students but now it contains offices, souvenir shops and a small museum displaying some old artifacts. The fifth courtyard included the first university of Vietnam, Quoc Tu Giam, but it was devastated in wars.

The Temple of Literature is the largest and most important temple complex in the city of Hanoi. It is a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture that tourists should come and explore once visiting the capital of Vietnam.