THANH DAT AREA AND KHUE VAN PAVILION

The second spatial layer is Thanh Dat area. This zone also has three pathways leading inward. The main central path connects the Dai Trung gate to Khue Van Pavilion. The two smaller paths on either side lead to the Bi Van gate (refined and brilliant literature) and the Suc Van gate (implicit and concise literature) respectively.

In 1805, the Governor-General of Bac Thanh, Nguyen Van Thanh, had Khue Van Pavilion built at Van Mieu Ha Noi. Khue Van Pavilion features a symmetrical, simple and elegant architectural style. The column bases are square-shaped, while the windows are circular. The roof has two tiers, covered with tube tiles. On the upper floor hangs a red-lacquered and gold-gilded signboard inscribed with three Chinese characters reading "Khue Van Cac", meaning "Khue Van Pavilion". "Khue" is the name of the brightest constellation among the 28 lunar mansions. The Khue constellation consists of 16 stars, arranged in a shape resembling the Chinese character for Van (文). The ancients believed that the Khue star was the ruling star of literature and culture. Khue Van Pavilion stands as a symbol of the cultural heritage of Viet Nam. In 2012, Khue Van Pavilion was selected as the official symbol of the capital Ha Noi.