Hanoi is testing a night tour at the Temple of Literature - National University.

Currently, in addition to the usual forms of welcoming visitors, many tourist destinations, including historical and cultural sites, have become innovative by adding more options to cater to diverse needs and provide novel experiences for tourists. Most notably, there are "night tours." Simply put, "night tours" are tours of locations during the evening hours with activities that differ significantly from daytime tours.

In Hanoi alone, there are currently three destinations that have successfully implemented night tours. These include the Hoa Lo Prison historical site, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the Vietnam National Museum of Literature. Recently, another equally famous location, even considered one of the symbols of the thousand-year-old capital, has also launched a night tour. This location is the Temple of Literature - National University.

What does the night tour of the Temple of Literature - National University include?

The full name of the night tour at the Temple of Literature - National University is "Temple of Literature - National University Night Experience Tour (Van Mieu Tour Night) - The Quintessence of Philosophy". Recently, the program had its first trial run on Sunday evening, October 22nd. According to information on the website Vanmieushow.com, when officially launched, expected in November this year, visitors can book tickets online via the website for 199,000 VND/ticket. The historical site will be open to visitors for the night tour from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM every Friday to Sunday evening.

So what special things await visitors on a night tour at the Temple of Literature - National University? That's a question many tourists ask and wonder about. While Hoa Lo Prison offers reenactments of famous events; Thang Long Imperial Citadel features royal dances performed on archaeological sites, encounters with guards and palace maidens in ancient costumes, and code-breaking games; and the Vietnam Literature Museum tells stories related to "Heart" and "Talent," the Temple of Literature - National University offers a completely different experience.

Specifically, as night falls, the entire historical site is transformed and adorned with a completely different look by a modern lighting and projection system. "The night tour will offer visitors an impressive and more dazzling architectural and heritage site than usual, while still retaining the profound and refined character of what is considered the first national school under the monarchy," a representative from the Temple of Literature - National University shared.

The entire historical site will be divided into five areas with different names for the convenience of visitors. These include: the Entrance Area; the Achievement Area; the Doctoral Stele Garden Area; the Grand Achievement Area; and finally, the Imperial Academy Area.

The most special highlight of the Temple of Literature - National University Night Tour will be in the final area, the Thai Hoc courtyard. Here, the 3D Mapping Show "The Essence of Philosophy" will take place, inspired by the unique elements of the Temple of Literature - National University that have been closely associated with Vietnamese philosophy throughout the centuries.

3D mapping technology is known to be one of the most advanced modeling technologies available today. This technology allows for the creation of 3D models that are life-sized, clearly showcasing the product's shape and theme. With 3D effects and the integration of sound and lighting systems, these models appear in a highly dynamic three-dimensional space, evoking a wide range of emotions in the viewer.

Describing the "final leg" of the Temple of Literature - National University Night Tour, a representative of the historical site wrote on the official website: "This is the final emotional touchpoint of the experience program, and also the content that brings the most sublime feeling. The entire facade of the Front Hall on the Thai Hoc courtyard will transform into a giant screen, allowing visitors to discover the most exquisite values ​​in Vietnamese philosophy. The mapping show also provides a panoramic view linking all the experiences that visitors have enjoyed from the main gate to the end of the Bai Duong courtyard. Everything blends together to create a feast of light, sound, and emotion."

Mr. Phung Quang Thang, Vice President of the Vietnam Tourism Association, believes that applying 3D mapping projections to the architecture of heritage sites will attract tourists and convey some good content, but tourists need guidance to experience it in order to understand the story.

What do tourists say about the night tour at the Temple of Literature - National University?

As mentioned above, the Temple of Literature - National University Night Tour has not officially opened to tourists yet, but only had its first trial run on the evening of October 22nd. However, after that first trial experience, the tour received many positive reactions from participants. Proof of this is the great interest shown on many social media platforms, with images and videos of the Temple of Literature - National University Night Tour receiving attention from a diverse range of visitors, from middle-aged and elderly people to young people, students, and university students. "This has been my wish for many years, and now it's finally about to come true. I will definitely participate," commented user Thúy Tomboy.

Most visitors were amazed by the completely transformed appearance of the nearly 1000-year-old historical site at night. "The 3D mapping show was definitely the highlight, providing the most complete and exhilarating experience during the night tour at the Temple of Literature - National University. The visual delight came from the 3D technology effects combined with the emotionally rich content, creating a profound and moving atmosphere that touched the hearts of every visitor," shared visitor Phan Xuan Thanh.

"What impressed me most was the cyclical nature of the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—and the four students growing up as they diligently studied. It was these small details that made the show more authentic, creating unforgettable emotions for viewers like me," added tourist Trinh Thu Ha.

Night tours at Hoa Lo Prison, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Vietnam Literature Museum, and most recently, the Temple of Literature - National University, have opened up a fresh and creative approach to tourist attractions and historical and cultural sites that are already familiar to visitors. Hopefully, in the future, not only in Hanoi but throughout the country, there will be more similar tourism products, making the exploration of national history and culture more attractive and interesting.

Updated information about the "Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Night Experience Tour (Van Mieu Tour Night) - The Quintessence of Philosophy"

- Time: From 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Friday to Sunday (expected to start in November)

- Ticket price: 199,000 VND/person (includes nighttime site visit and viewing of the 3D Mapping Show "Essence of Taoist Philosophy")

For the latest information on how to book tickets and the performance schedule of the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Night Tour, visitors can also follow the official fanpage of the historical site or the two websites Vanmieu.gov.vn and Vanmieushow.com.