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In the afternoon, streams of residents and international visitors flocked to the Temple of Literature in Hanoi to tour the site and request calligraphy.
Beyond family spring outings and sightseeing, many young people came here to make offerings and ask for auspicious characters at the start of the year, sending their hopes for favorable exam results.
The Temple of Literature is one of the most significant historical and cultural relics in Hanoi. It is not only regarded as Vietnam’s first university but also stands as a symbol of the nation’s tradition of reverence for learning and respect for teachers.
This year, the calligraphy activity at the Temple of Literature was organized in an orderly manner. Visitors queued to purchase red paper and receive queue numbers, then patiently waited for their turn to receive calligraphy from veteran scholars.
A calligrapher carefully brushed firm strokes of black ink onto a sheet of red paper.
Nguyen Minh Quoc came with his father and sister to request the character “dang khoa.” He shared that the phrase refers to having one’s name inscribed on the honor roll of imperial examinations - a long-cherished aspiration as he prepares for the upcoming university entrance exam. He hopes to achieve strong results and gain admission to the military university he has long dreamed of attending.
After receiving their characters, many students brought pens and notebooks to the altar of “Van the su bieu” Chu Van An to pray earnestly for academic success.
Some used their fingers to “write silently” on the wall behind the statue of teacher Chu Van An, as if sending their wishes into the sacred space.
Visitors also strolled around the grounds of the Temple of Literature, selecting souvenirs imbued with the rich cultural imprint of Vietnam.
Duc Anh
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