The Temple of Literature is a place of peaceful repose in the middle of this hectic city. Most visitors will be relieved to find the Temple of Literature as a place to escape the endless rush of motorcycles for a few hours. The Temple of Literature is part temple, part university. It pays homage to the great scholars as if it were a religious site, but in actuality, it was a place where doctors and teachers were trained in the Mandarin tradition. The architecture is very Chinese, appropriately, as the site honors Confucius.
The Temple of Literature, or Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam, as it is called in Vietnamese, has been preserved quite well from its origins in the 11th century. Unlike the temples in nearby Cambodia, the Temple of Literature is a living structure rather than a ruin. The Vietnamese are clearly very proud of this historical structure from their past.
I really enjoyed the tranquil grounds, with the waterlily-filled ponds and the unique topiary. As the price was less than $2, it is a very economical way to spend an afternoon.
I haven't included directions, but Temple of Literature is one of the major sites in Hanoi. You can easily get any moto or cyclo to take you there. From the Old Quarter, it is a lovely drive because you go through the old diplomatic section with gorgeous mansions on tree-lined streets. Its block-long walls make it hard to miss.