Van Mieu, which translates as Temple of Literature, is located on Van Mieu Street, 2 km west of Hoan Kiem Lake. Van Mieu is a famous historical and cultural relic consisting of the Temple of Literature and Vietnam is first university.
According to the book “Complete history of the great Vietnam“, the Temple of Literature was built in honor of Confucius in 1070 by the king Ly Thanh Tong, his followers and Chu Van An, a moral figure in Vietnamese education.
The Temple of Literature is also quite tranquil compared to the hustle and bustle of Hanoi just outside the perimeter. The high brick walls, grassy surroundings, and the leafy trees create a bubble of calm at the heart of Hanoi. Nowadays the area is preserved and used as a park.