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Founded and dedicated to Confucius in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, this became Vietnam's first university in 1076 for the education of the sons of mandarins. There are five courtyards, the whole making a very pleasant retreat from the bustle of the streets.

26 photographs - click any one to see an enlargement (Please see the note on the home page about popup blockers).

The outer gate, where you are instructed to dismount your horse
The outer gate, where you are instructed to dismount...
Two young local women on the path through the grounds
Two young local women on the path through the grounds
Quyen, the guide for our city tour
Quyen, the guide for our city tour
One of the inner gates
One of the inner gates
Across one of the carp-filled ponds to a pavilion
Across one of the carp-filled ponds to a pavilion
Some of the 82 remaining stelae erected between 1442 and 1778
Some of the 82 remaining stelae erected between 1442...
The stelae were mounted on the backs of tortoises, a symbol of longevity.
The stelae were mounted on the backs of tortoises, a...
The stelae record the achievements of men awarded doctorates, who sometimes fell out of favour and were duly excised.
The stelae record the achievements of men awarded...
One of the few doctors revered enough to qualify for an effigy
One of the few doctors revered enough to qualify for...
A magnificent bird, highly symbolic of...?
A magnificent bird, highly symbolic of...?
Crossing a courtyard towards a pavilion with a particularly perfect roof
Crossing a courtyard towards a pavilion with a...
Decoration on the corner of the roof
Decoration on the corner of the roof
The inside of the roof, complete with lanterns
The inside of the roof, complete with lanterns
Inside the main museum space
Inside the main museum space
Traditional urn and stool
Traditional urn and stool
The upstairs balcony
The upstairs balcony
More lovely roofs from upstairs
More lovely roofs from upstairs
Yet more lovely roofs, and a very large drum
Yet more lovely roofs, and a very large drum
Mary and Quyen by the Big Drum
Mary and Quyen by the Big Drum
Our group: us on the left, Quyen in front, a woman from Singapore behind her, a US/Korean couple either side of her
Our group: us on the left, Quyen in front, a woman...
Topiary to go with the roof decoration
Topiary to go with the roof decoration
A lantern and screen
A lantern and screen
Back to the carp-filled pond
Back to the carp-filled pond
Another pond, full of lilies
Another pond, full of lilies
A gateway on one of the paths
A gateway on one of the paths
Back to the outer gate, looking back in
Back to the outer gate, looking back in

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