Temple of Literature, Confucius Temple (Văn Miếu) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Temple of Literature is the oldest Confucius temple and also Vietnam's first founded university to teach children of royalty and aristocracy. The Temple of Literature is situated about 10 minutes drive from Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi.

Temple of Literature is divided into several sections of courtyards. The First Courtyard stretches from the main gate of Temple of Literature to the Second Courtyard. Second Courtyard is decorated with garden park which resembles the pavilion of Hanoi city streets. There are some turtles' tombstones with names of doctorate students which are situated at Third Courtyard. 

There are some bronze statues of a crane standing on a turtle located in the temple which represents the power, luck and longevity, according to Vietnamese's culture and belief. There is some belief that touching the crane would bring some fortune while touching the head of a turtle would bring luck and longevity.

I haven't seen very well-maintained temple buildings and garden parks like the oldest temple ie, Temple of Literature. Temple of Literature opens from 8:30am to 4:30pm every day except on Monday and public holidays. Visitors require to pay some minimal entrance fee of 10,000 VND per person (US$0.50).

The main gate of Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

In front of the main gate of Temple of Literature, there are four tall pillars facing the main street in Hanoi, Vietnam

Dragon statues at the main gate of Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

The rear view of the main gate of Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

The first courtyard before heading to Second Courtyard of Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

Second Courtyard and Constellation of Literature pavilion at Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

A closer view of Third Courtyard of Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

Turtle stone stele to honour the school's successful doctorate candidates at Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

A large pond, called the well of heavenly clarity. at the third Courtyard of Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

Third Courtyard of the temple with the Well of Heavenly Clarity and the red Constellation of Literature pavilion at Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

The fourth Courtyard of Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

A closer look of temple ceremony at Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

Side view of temple ceremony at Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

In Vietnamese culture, the turtle and crane stand together represent a healthy long life of happiness at Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

In Vietnamese culture, touching the turtle or crane by hand and hoping to endure  longevity or power respective at Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

Dozens of flowers are used to decorate the logo of Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

Confucious Gods shrine at Temple of Literature in Hanoi, Vietnam

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Museum of Ethnology (Vietnamese Ethnic Groups) in Hanoi, Vietnam

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Museum of Ethnology (Vietnamese Ethnic Groups) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Museum of Ethnology is one of popular tourist attractions in Hanoi, Vietnam. The museum exhibits 54 officially ethnic groups in Vietnam ranging from costumes, culture and their beliefs. This is a two-level medium-sized museum with limited products and photographs to display thus, the whole tour takes between two to three hours to visit the indoor and outdoor of the museum entirely.

I like the outdoor exhibition, the most as I could visit and experience the model houses such as Giarai tomb where the large wooden figures encircling the tomb to accompany the dead into the afterlife, Bahnar communal house with a height of 19 meters from Kon Rbang Village and Ede longhouse with a length of 42 meters to accomodate the families of daughters and granddaughters of an extended matrilineal family.

Museum of Ethnology opens from 8:30am to 5:30pm (Tuesday to Sunday).

The main entrance to Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

A bike carrying fish traps along Red River Delta on display at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

Fishing equipment such as fish and turtle bait box, fish trap and fishing hooks on display at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

Muong funeral scene at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnamese cultural garments (traditional clothes) at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

The longest dragon boat that I have ever seen at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

A typical wooden Vietnam house at the outdoor of Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

This house belonged to a wealthy family in Thanh Hoa province which is longer than a typical traditional houses at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnamese were skilled to weaving clothing and wood crafting in early years at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

Kitchen area of a wealthy family in Thanh Hoa province at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

Ede longhouse with the lenght of 42 meters to accomodate the families of daughters and granddaughters of an extended matrilineal family at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

Bahnar communal house with the height of 19 meters was built in 2003 by 42 villagers from Kon Rbang village at Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam

My Older Post:

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Hoa Lo Prison (Maison Centrale) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Hoa Lo Prison which is also known as Maison Centrale, left a deep memory during my vacation in Hanoi, Vietnam. If you participate the local trip like one day tour in Hanoi city, you won't find a tour to Hỏa Lò Prison at all. I don't know why but I guess no one wants to share and relate saddening and sensitive issues like how the Vietnamese patriots and revolutionary fighters were tortured and executed in this prison for the independence and freedom of the nation. 

Hỏa Lò Prison was built by French colonialist to hold Vietnamese prisoners particularly, political prisoners who were fighting for the country's independence. I had difficulty to control my sadness when I visited the confined rooms which were used to sentence the leaders of patriotic and revolutionary and any prisoners who broke the rules in the prison. It was also saddening to learn that the Vietnamese prisoners were being locked with fetters on their ankles thus, they had limited body movement on the beds.

There was an amazing display of an American flying suit of major pilot John Mc. Cain where he and other American pilots were arrested during the bombing of North Vietnam. There were many objects and photographs displayed to show that the American prisoners were treated well in the prison by the Government of Vietnam until they were released eventually under the agreement between both countries. John Mc. Cain then participated in the United States of America election in 2008.

The main entrance of Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Broken glasses on top of high walls to prevent prisoners from escaping the prison at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

A panaromic view of Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) from top bird's view during the early years in Hanoi, Vietnam

The outline of the visiting route at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

The recent view of Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) from the top bird's eye view in Hanoi, Vietnam

The 3D model of the Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) during the early years in Hanoi, Vietnam

Thick and giant main gate was displayed at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

The giant door hinge of the main front gate of Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Prisoners' clothing at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

The old-fashioned toilet squatting at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi. Vietnam

The French used to lock Vietnamese patriots and revolutionary fighters at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Cachot area is used to confine prisoners who break the rules in prison at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

The French colonialist used the guillotine to cut heads of Vietnamese patriots and revolutionary fighters at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Stockade for female prisoners at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Stockade for female prisoners who have babies at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

The flight suit of Navy Lieutenant Commandar John Mc Cain while flying A4E Skyhawk is exhibited at Hoa Lu Prison (Maison Centre) in Hanoi, Vietnam

The American prisoners were treated well by the Vietnamese Government after they were imprisoned at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

Memorial monument area of Vietnamese patriots and revolutionary fighters and the Almond Tree at Maison Centre (Hoa Lu Prison) in Hanoi, Vietnam

My Older Post:

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• Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple in Hanoi, Vietnam
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• Beautiful Hanoi, Vietnam