Hanoi students pray for good luck ahead of key exam
As exam season begins, Hanoi’s Temple of Literature has become a spiritual stop for hopeful students seeking more than just preparation, some peace of mind and a bit of luck.
THE HANOI TIMES — Thousands of students and their relatives have visited the Temple of Literature in Hanoi in the days leading up to the 2025 national high school graduation exam to offer incense and pray for luck and success.
Dating back to 1070, the Temple of Literature was the first university in Vietnam and is revered by many as a sanctuary of knowledge that can impart good fortune in exams.
From June 26 to 27, around 1.17 million students nationwide, including 124,000 from Hanoi, will take the high school graduation exams. Universities will use the results of these exams and high school grades to evaluate applicants.
A long line of students and parents come to the Temple of Literature on June 23 to seek blessings. Photos: Hoang Minh/The Hanoi Times
Anxious and hopeful, candidates come to the Temple of Literature to pray for good luck before this important exam.
Nguyen Van Viet (in the white T-shirt) and his friends told The Hanoi Times that they come to the temple to relieve their anxiety and gain confidence before the exam.
Students arrange offerings and wait for their turn to offer incense.
Candidates write their personal information and wishes on a sheet of paper before making offerings.
Groups of parents and students respectfully offer incense and pray for good luck.
Inside the temple, many students and family members pray for good luck.
