HÀ NỘI — Now when you stand at the Khuê Văn Các (Constellation of Literature Pavilion) or any part of Văn Miếu (Temple of Literature) – Quốc Tử Giám (First National University) complex, an automatic guide will give you information about the site in eight languages.

The Centre for Scientific and Cultural Activities of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám has put into operation an automatic multi-language guide system to serve domestic and foreign tourists. The system provides service in Vietnamese, English, French, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Thai and Chinese. Visitors just use headphones to listen to the information.

The centre’s director Lê Xuân Kiêu said Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám receives millions of tourists every year including foreigners, diplomatic delegates and State leaders from many countries and territories.

“The centre is in charge of providing guide services in foreign languages but our team can only serve a limited number of foreign guests with the most popular languages, hence the idea of the automatic interpretation system,” he said.  

The system contains stories about Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, helping visitors learn about the establishment and development of the relic site as well as its historical and cultural values.

“I believe that thanks to the modern system, the value of the site will be promoted widely and introduced carefully and adequately to tourists.”

Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, the Special National Relic recognised in 2013, is one of the most important Confucian symbols in Việt Nam, which was established in 1070-1076 under the Lý Dynasty (1010-1225).

After many royal examinations, in 1482 King Lê Thánh Tông (who reigned from 1460 to 1497) ordered the erection of stone steles inscribed with the names and native lands of the first laureates of the royal examinations, which was first held in 1442. 

Between 1442 and 1779, 124 doctoral examinations were held but now only 82 stone steles are preserved in Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám. The steles are placed on the back of stone turtles, symbolising the immortality of the national quintessence. The stone steles are recognised by UNESCO as a world documentary heritage.

Last year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism granted the title Việt Nam’s Leading Tourism Destination to Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám complex. — VNS