The Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) historical site in Hanoi was packed with visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday, with a large number of young students seeking calligraphy blessings in hopes of passing their upcoming entrance exams.
Under the bright spring sun, Hanoi residents ventured out to celebrate the new year with friends and family, making sure to stop by Van Mieu to request calligraphy as a symbol of luck, peace, and prosperity.
On the second day of Tet, both locals and foreign tourists flocked to Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam to explore the historic site and receive handwritten calligraphy, a gesture believed to bring good fortune in the new year.
Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam has long been a popular destination during exam season and the early days of spring, especially for students preparing for important entrance exams. Seeking calligraphy from scholars, known as "ong do," is a tradition deeply intertwined with academic aspirations.
On this festive day, young students approached calligraphy masters to request meaningful characters, hoping for a year of success and happiness. For those preparing for crucial exams, these written blessings carry their dreams of being accepted into their desired universities.
Many pre-written calligraphy artworks were displayed, allowing visitors to freely choose their favorite ones. Meanwhile, others had the opportunity to experience writing their own calligraphy under the guidance of experienced scholars.
Excited students gathered around, carefully forming elegant strokes with ink brushes as they learned the art of calligraphy firsthand. With patience and encouragement, the calligraphy masters helped them create meaningful words that embodied their hopes for the year ahead.
Tang Ngoc Quyen, a high school senior, came to Van Mieu with her mother to request the word "do dat" (success). She shared that her dream is to pass the entrance exam for the Foreign Trade University, a goal she has cherished for a long time.
As in previous years, calligraphy masters were arranged around Ho Van, an area within the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam complex, where they sat and created their elegant script.
Many scholars upheld traditional attire, wearing ao dai and donning headpieces that evoked the classical image of ancient Vietnamese scholars.
Two young visitors beamed with satisfaction after receiving their calligraphy pieces, cherishing the start of the new year with meaningful blessings.
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On the second day of Tet, crowds of visitors, including foreign tourists, filled Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi to seek calligraphy blessings for the new year.
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On the second day of the Lunar New Year, young visitors gathered to request calligraphy, wishing for a year filled with luck and happiness, especially those preparing for crucial exams.
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Young visitors had the chance to practice writing calligraphy themselves, experiencing the art firsthand.
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