Night Tour of the Temple of Literature: Essence of Confucianism.

According to the Hanoi E-Portal, speaking at the program launch ceremony on the evening of October 29th, Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy, stated: “In the context of Hanoi city vigorously developing cultural industries, participating in the network of creative cities and implementing digital transformation, we recognize that, based on the values of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy heritage, cultural tourism products, cultural industrial products, creativity, and modern technology applications need to be developed, with a connection between science, art, and technology.

With this program, the dialogue between tradition and modernity, between culture and technology within the space of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy is the differentiating factor. The values ​​of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy heritage, the scholarly traditions of Thang Long – Hanoi, and Vietnamese Confucianism, particularly emphasizing the spirit of scholarship, respect for teachers, and nurturing talents, are honored, blending together promising to bring interesting experiences to visitors in the evening.”

Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council, Dang Van Bai, commented: “The event of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy launching cultural tourism products on the digital technology platform is considered a model, a focal model for preserving cultural heritage. This is also a model that helps us develop creative spaces in the capital, especially when the city was recognized as one of UNESCO’s creative cities in design in 2019. In these creative spaces, the public experiences night tours, helping tourists stay longer in Hanoi.”

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy night experience program is launched with the desire to offer visitors a completely new aspect of the heritage site, creating new experiences and different emotions compared to daytime visits and exploration. All architectural relics and heritage spaces become more impressive, dazzling, yet retaining the profound and delicate characteristics of a heritage site that has long been regarded as the first national university of Vietnam under the feudal regime. All elements promise to unveil a space of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy that is both familiar and new.

As such, the entire heritage space is transformed by a system of lighting and 3D Mapping technology. As soon as visitors pass through the main gate (Van Mieu Gate), they will be immersed in a gentle and tranquil stroll amidst the colors and sounds within the Entrance Courtyard.

The first surprise awaiting visitors is an “unprecedented” stream of light from the Sao Khue window on the symbolically significant Khue Van Pavilion, beaming directly onto the roof peak of the Dai Trung Gate, highlighting the image of a pair of carps bearing a ceremonial jar. This stream of light also transforms the Khue Van Pavilion into a real lighthouse – a beacon of knowledge and wisdom. The significance of this light installation will be fully explained when visitors enjoy the Mapping projection themed “Essence of Confucianism” at the Courtyard of Ceremonies.

A new and intriguing feature awaits visitors as they enter the Doctoral Stelae Garden, namely the Thiên Quang Well. The rim around the well is adorned with a strip of LED lights with two elegant shades shining down on the water’s surface, creating extremely special emotions that cannot be experienced during daytime visits. Also in the Doctoral Stelae Garden, visitors will learn about the basic contents on each doctoral stela with the assistance of advanced Mapping projection technology.

The next space in the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy night experience journey is the Great Enclosure, also known as the Bai Duong area. The main content introduced in this area is the display space of the Imperial Academy – the first school of the Vietnamese national education system. The entire history of formation and development of the cradle of talent training for the country over nearly 800 years under the feudal regime is presented with a contemporary design style, yet still bearing the imprint of traditional values that have forged thousands of talents for Vietnam. At the Bai Duong courtyard, visitors will experience virtual reality technology products, new and interesting.

The last emotional touchpoint of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy night experience program, yet also the most uplifting content, is the 3D Mapping projection themed “Essence of Confucianism”. The entire façade of the Preceding Courtyard house on the Courtyard of Ceremonies will turn into a giant screen allowing visitors to explore the most refined values in Vietnamese Confucianism.