Korean travel and experience blogger Eun-jeong recently visited Hanoi. She shared on her personal page interesting destinations in the capital of Vietnam, including the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam. This is Vietnam's first university, built in 1070.
"Just like Koreans often wear hanbok when visiting palaces in Korea, many people wear traditional ao dai here, very outstanding. I don't know if they are taking pictures or what, but this outfit looks real. beautiful in an ancient setting," Eun-jeong wrote.
Female tourist regrets not knowing about the on-site interpretation service. Unable to understand the meaning of each area in detail, Eun-jeong only read the information through the instruction boards.
"The stone turtle steles really attract me. I heard that Vietnamese people are most interested in turtle stele in the Temple of Literature. The steles record the names, ages, and achievements of doctors with outstanding achievements in Exams have been held every 3 years since the Ly Dynasty.
People also believe that touching the turtle's head will bring good results in exams. Southeast Asian people seem to believe in spirituality before exams like Koreans," Eun-jeong shared.
However, currently tourists are not allowed to touch the doctor's steles and stone turtle heads at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam to preserve the monument.
Eun-jeong also entered the temple complex of Confucius - the founder of Confucianism. Right in front of the altar, there are two bronze crane statues standing on the back of a smooth turtle on one side, because people touch them for good luck or to pray for peace.
Female bloggers also follow local people. She recounted how she prayed for luck while touching the bronze statue, hoping to soon have all her wishes fulfilled.
In fact, Korea's previous exam system also had some similarities with Vietnam's. The ancients believed that if they wanted to become famous, they had to take the exam and become a poinsettia, opening the way to becoming an official.
Koreans also have a system of education and examinations that has lasted for hundreds of years and is deeply Confucian. The current fierce university entrance exam is a testament to the studious spirit of the people of the land of kimchi. Parents and students also go to the temple to worship and pray for the students to achieve good results.
