Van Mieu (The Temple of Literature) was constructed in 1070 during Ly Thanh Tong's dynasty. Its original purpose was to honor Confucius. In 1076, the first university of Vietnam called Quoc Tu Giam (The Imperial Academy), was established within this temple by Emperor Ly Nhan Tong. That's the reason why the complex has the name of Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam up to now. Initially, Quoc Tu Giam was the school for princes and children of royal families and then expanded in the following year to admit top students from around the country.
Nowadays, Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam is one of the most famous tourist destinations for both Vietnamese people and foreigners. It's also a place to celebrate doctorates and high ranking scholars of Vietnam. One special thing about this place is that there are 82 Doctors' stone tablets. They are tombstones with names and origins of 1304 doctors placed on the backs of stone tortoises. If you come here at the beginning of the year or in May, when many important examinations take place, you will catch sights of numerous families and students who come and pray for luck.
Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam opens daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the entrance fee for each adult is 30,000 VND.
Bat Trang Ceramic Village
“I wish I could marry you/ I will buy Bat Trang bricks to build our house” are the beautiful folk words honoring Bat Trang ceramic & pottery quality, the pride of northern Vietnam
Bat Trang, a small village in the north of Vietnam, is about 13 kilometers south east of Hanoi center, on the other side of Chuong Duong Bridge.
Why is its name popular to most tourists to northern Vietnam? The answer is its ever famous ceramic and pottery products of high quality. If you have known about Vietnam, you may not be surprised that Bat Trang’s vases, bowls, dishes, and many other kinds of ceramic products have been exported worldwide. Should you would like to contemplate workers making ceramic products by hand, just come here! What’s more, you can also try it yourself!
Bat Trang village is said to be established in 14th or 15th century in several documents. However, according to the villagers, the village perhaps appeared earlier. There are always two stories concerning the village origin.
One of these tells that under Ly dynasty, in 1100, when the nation was in its independence and initial growth period, there were 3 scholars who came back from their mission trip to China bringing the ceramic craft industry learned there back to Vietnam and taught the people of Bat Trang.
In the other story, in the village history dates back to the 10th century, when King Ly Cong Uan relocated the capital in Thang Long. With the establishment and development of the capital, many businessmen, crafters from many areas come to settle down here to work and trade. In Bat Trang, there was a lot of white clay, so that many potters, among who was Nguyen Ninh Trang family, came and built the kilns here.
Accordingly, Bat Trang has gradually changed from a normal ceramic and pottery village into a famous ceramic and pottery centre until now.
Van Mieu (The Temple of Literature) was constructed in 1070 during Ly Thanh Tong's dynasty. Its original purpose was to honor Confucius. In 1076, the first university of Vietnam called Quoc Tu Giam (The Imperial Academy), was established within this temple by Emperor Ly Nhan Tong. That's the reason why the complex has the name of Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam up to now. Initially, Quoc Tu Giam was the school for princes and children of royal families and then expanded in the following year to admit top students from around the country.
ban Nobita nobi viet hay qua
