Guide for Dress Code to Visit the Temple of Literature in Hanoi

The Temple of Literature is one of the most important historical and cultural relics of Hanoi and Vietnam. Built-in 1070 during the reign of Ly Thanh Tong, the Temple of Literature is a place to worship Confucius and Confucian sages, as well as being Vietnam’s first university. When visiting the Temple of Literature, visitors not only admire the ancient architecture and peaceful space but also have the opportunity to learn about the country’s history and culture. To preserve the beauty and solemnity of the monument, visitors need to pay attention to their clothing when coming here.

Reasons to Pay Attention to Clothes When Coming to The Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature

1. Respect Sacred Space: The Temple of Literature is a place to worship and honor saints, so dressing politely is a way to show respect for this sacred space. Polite attire helps visitors show respect for this place.
2. Preserving Cultural Beauty: The Temple of Literature is a cultural symbol of the Vietnamese people, a place that honors the tradition of studiousness and wisdom. Wearing appropriate clothing helps protect the cultural and traditional beauty of the monument, while also demonstrating awareness of preserving historical cultural values.
3. Demonstrating Civilized Tourism Consciousness: Dressing properly not only helps visitors show respect for the tourist destination but is also a part of civilized tourism consciousness. Dressing politely and discreetly contributes to building a beautiful and civilized image of tourists, creating a good impression on local people and other tourists.

Benefits of Wearing Appropriate Clothing When Visiting to The Temple of Literature

The Temple of Literature

1. Make a Good Impression: Formal attire helps visitors make a good impression on others and shows respect for the culture and history of the destination. This also helps visitors feel more confident when communicating and sightseeing.
2. Complete Experience: Wearing appropriate clothing helps visitors feel more comfortable when traveling and sightseeing, thereby experiencing the trip more fully. Comfortable and polite clothing also helps visitors enjoy the peaceful and sacred space of the Temple of Literature.
3. Ensuring Safety: Discreet, comfortable clothing helps visitors avoid awkward situations and protect their health, especially in different weather conditions. Appropriate clothing also helps visitors avoid health-related problems such as sunburn and colds.

Specific Outfit Instructions When Coming to The Temple of Literature

Formal clothes

Formal clothes

• Clothing: Visitors should choose polite, discreet and comfortable clothes. Men can wear collared shirts or T-shirts combined with long pants. Women should wear long sleeves or T-shirts, long skirts or pants. This outfit not only shows respect but also fits the ancient space of the Temple of Literature.
• Shoes: You should choose comfortable but polite shoes. Avoid wearing slippers or shoes that reveal too much. Sneakers or flat shoes are a good choice, helping visitors move easily and comfortably while sightseeing.

Avoid Inappropriate Clothing

Avoid wearing short skrits

• Short, Revealing Clothes: Visitors should avoid wearing shorts, short skirts, crop tops, tank tops or tank tops. These costumes are not appropriate for sacred spaces and may cause offence.
• See-through Clothes: Avoid wearing thin, see-through clothes that are offensive and immodest.

Traditional costume

Traditional costume

• Ao Dai: If possible, visitors can wear traditional ao dai to show respect and honor the beauty of Vietnamese culture. Ao dai is not only a traditional outfit but also brings elegant beauty.

Specific Outfit Suggestions for Each Season When Visiting to The Temple of Literature

Summer

Summer outfit

• Shirt: T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt made from airy material like cotton or linen. Avoid clothes that are too thick or do not absorb sweat.
• Pants/Skirts: Long pants or long skirts, choose comfortable materials like linen or cotton to make it easy to move around and not make you feel hot.
• Shoes: Lightweight sneakers, flats or sandals with straps for easy and comfortable movement.
• Accessories: Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are indispensable accessories to protect against the summer sun.

Winter

Winter clothes

• Jacket: Thick jacket, sweater or long-sleeved t-shirt to keep warm. You should bring outerwear that can be easily taken off when needed.
• Pants: Warm pants like jeans, fleece pants or wool pants.
• Shoes: Sneakers or boots help keep feet warm and protected in cold weather.
• Accessories: Scarves, beanies and gloves to protect against the cold of winter.

Other Advice When Coming to The Temple of Literature

1. Bring a Jacket: If visiting in winter, you should bring a jacket to keep warm. Jackets should be simple and polite, avoid shirts that are too flashy or not suitable for the monument space.
2. Prepare a Hat: In the summer, when the sun is hot, visitors can wear a hat to protect themselves from the sun, but they should choose a polite, appropriate hat. A simple wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap is a good choice, providing both protection from the sun and maintaining a polite look.
3. Sunglasses and Sunscreen: To protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, visitors can use sunglasses and sunscreen when visiting outdoors. Sunglasses should have a simple design, not too colorful to fit the historical and cultural space.

Places to Visit at the Temple of Literature 

Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam belongs to the system of special National Monuments of Vietnam. With a rich history and culture, the relic site is an attractive destination with many sightseeing coordinates.

Van Mieu Mon

Van Mieu Mon is part of the Tam Quan gate outside the relic site. The Temple of Literature consists of 3 doors and 2 floors. The upper floor has the three words Van Mieu Mon in ancient Chinese characters. In front of the Tam Quan gate are two steles on both sides with four ceremonial pillars in the middle. Van Mieu Mon exudes solemnity and dignity. 

Van Lake and Giam Garden

Van Lake is also known as Giam Lake or Minh Duong Lake. The lake is located right in front of the gate of the Temple of Literature relic site. Van Lake is quite large, in the middle of the lake is the Kim Chau mound. On the mound is Phan Thuy Duong – the place where literary commentary sessions by ancient Confucian scholars took place.

Located on the western wall of the Temple of Literature, Giam Garden is home to an octagonal house, a lake, ornamental plants and many other miniatures. The garden is a place to visit, relax and hold attractive cultural activities.

Dai Trung Mon

Dai Trung Mon

Dai Trung Mon is the second gate of the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam relic site. This work consists of 3 compartments, built on a high brick foundation with funny nose tiles designed in the style of an ancient communal house roof.

In front and behind the Dai Trung Mon area is an extremely large space with long parallel roads, trees, and open lakes. All create a quiet, peaceful scene in the middle of bustling Hanoi.

Khue Van Cac

Khue Van Cac was built in 1805 by Governor Nguyen Van Thanh during the Nguyen Dynasty. This is a square floor with 8 roofs nearly 9 meters high with 4 upper roofs and 4 lower roofs. Khue Van Cac is located on a square ground, each side is about 6.8 meters long. This project impresses with its super unique ancient-style architecture. 

On the lower floor are 4 square brick pillars intricately carved with patterns. The upper floor is painted with gilded vermilion, with two layers of brilliant red tiled roofs overlapping each other. The round windows on the upper floor create a striking feature, like a shining star.

Doctor’s Garden and Thien Quang Well

Doctor’s Garden is a must-see sightseeing location at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam. The 82 doctoral steles here are extremely sophisticated sculptures with spiritual significance. 

These steles are placed on the backs of stone turtles, with the information of 82 valedictorians of many dynasties of Vietnam recorded on the steles. On March 9, 2010, these 82 stone steles were recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage.

Thien Quang Well is located next to the doctoral stele area and right behind Khue Van Cac. The well is square in shape, symbolizing the ground. The well is also known as Ao Van. The ancients built this structure with the intention of being a place to receive all the essence of the universe and illuminate knowledge.

Khai Thanh Temple

Located at the end of the relic site is Khai Thanh Temple. This place worships Confucius’s parents – Thuc Luong Ngot & Nhan Thi. Previously, Khai Thanh Temple used to be a residential area with 150 rooms for students. In 1946, when the French colonialists bombarded Khai Thanh Temple, the structure was completely destroyed. Later, the temple was built and preserved to this day.

Dai Bai Duong – Dai Thanh Mon

Dai Bai Duong – Dai Thanh Mon

Dai Thanh Mon is a building with 3 tile-roofed compartments and 2 sturdy porch columns in the front and back. Through Dai Thanh Mon is Dai Bai Duong (shrine area). In Dai Bai, there are many precious horizontal panels, incense altars, a pair of ancient cranes and a large bell cast in the year Canh Hung 1768. Dai Bai Duong consists of 9 rooms, where ceremonies took place during the period. Spring and autumn sacrifices in ancient times.

Notes About Visiting Time When Coming to The Temple of Literature

1. Opening Hours: Temple of Literature is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm in summer, and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in winter. Tourists should note this time to arrange a suitable tour schedule.
2. Best Time: The best time to visit the Temple of Literature is early morning or late afternoon when the sunlight is not too harsh and the space is quieter.

Conclusion

Choosing appropriate clothing when visiting the Temple of Literature not only shows respect for historical and cultural relics but also helps visitors have the best experience. Every small action, such as wearing clothes properly, also contributes to preserving and honoring the traditional beauty of the nation. Please prepare carefully and respect the regulations to make your visit to the Temple of Literature more meaningful and memorable.

Paying attention to your outfit not only helps you feel more comfortable and confident but also shows respect for the cultural and historical values ​​of the country. This not only creates a good impression on local people but also on international tourists, contributing to enhancing the image of Vietnam’s civilized and cultural tourism in the eyes of international friends.

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