10th grade exam candidates flock to Temple of Literature, buy dozens of kilos of offerings to pray for luck

On the afternoon of June 6, one day before the 10th grade entrance exam began, many students and parents in Hanoi went to the first university in Vietnam, the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, to pray for good luck.

A few days before, the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy welcomed hundreds of students. Although the weather is hot today, this place is still very crowded.

Among the students wearing white shirts appearing at the Temple of Literature today, most are seniors.

The items that candidates will bring into the exam room such as: calculators, pens, pencils, compasses, rulers, pencil sharpeners... are brought by them to pray for good luck.

Having bought dozens of kilograms of various offerings to bring to the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy before the exam day, Vu Thien Nhan (Quynh Mai Secondary School) said that he would offer incense to Confucius and Chu Van An, Rector of the Imperial Academy, with the wish that his path to education would always be open. "My wish is to be admitted to Viet Duc High School," Nhan said.

Candidates write a prayer before entering the main hall to pray for luck. Having traveled dozens of kilometers from Dong Anh district to get here, Duc Cuong said that although there is a prayer writing service, he still wants to do it himself to be as sincere as possible.

Many students' trays of offerings also include exam papers. From right to left, the three sisters Doan Cam Linh, Doan Mai Linh and Doan Phuong Linh all have important upcoming exams. The eldest sister Cam Linh is about to take the university entrance exam while Mai Linh will take the 10th grade exam tomorrow.

Inside Dai Thanh temple, many other students and parents sincerely offered incense for many minutes.

The incense offering ceremony at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam has an important meaning for generations of Vietnamese people, to commemorate and promote the spirit of "remembering the source of water when drinking" and the tradition of "respecting teachers and valuing education" of the nation.

Happily leaving with her mother after the lucky prayer ceremony, Le Phuong Nhi (Doan Thi Diem Secondary School) said that she felt very comfortable and ready for this exam.