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Fazal Ahmad, London, UK
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Belief: Confucianism
Era: 1070 CE
The Temple of Literature in Hanoi, established in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius (as), is the oldest architectural complex in the city. Its origins trace back to influences from China after the Hung Dynasty around 200 BCE, introducing Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, while southern Vietnam was influenced by India and Hinduism. During the Ly Dynasty (1010–1225 CE), Vietnam flourished, and the temple was built, emphasising education, spirituality, and women’s rights.
The complex features five courtyards with separate entrances for students and officials. The first courtyard symbolises the boundary between the secular outside world and the spiritual interior, modelled after the Confucian Temple in Qufu, China. The third courtyard has a rectangular pond called the Well of Heavenly Clarity, symbolising the connection between heaven and earth and serving as a place for contemplation.
The Bai Duong, or Confucian House of Ceremonies, houses statues of Confucius and his disciples. Originally a sanctuary for Confucianism, by 1076 it became Vietnam’s first university, initially educating royal sons and nobility before opening to the wider public. Its teachings emphasised responsibilities alongside rights.
Today, Confucianism is seen mainly as a philosophy, focusing on spirits and ancestors, but its original form was a monotheistic faith based on divine revelation, rooted in the theology of Fu Hsi (as) (3322 BCE). Although it draws many visitors and symbolises Hanoi, the temple remains an active place of worship for the Confucian community in northern Vietnam.
References:
1. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh), Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth (Islam International Publications Ltd., 1998).
2. A. McGill, Eyewitness Guide to Vietnam (Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2007).
3. Temple of Literature, Accessed: September 6, 2025.