During the lead up to Tet, many people go to the Temple of Literature in search of calligraphy scrolls with blessings for New Year.

The Temple of Literature was the first university in Vietnam. Each year it attracts a large number of people who come to sell and buy special calligraphy with parallel sentences for Tet.

Among the decorative writings, the word ‘An”, literally translated as “safe” is especially popular. It reflects peoples’ hopes for the coming year of security, good luck and health.

Images from the Temple of Literature:

Calligraphy is a Tet tradition

Selecting the year’s blessings

The practice of Vietnamese calligraphy

Play on words

Calligraphist Cung Khac Luoc

Artists at work

An old craftsman at his work

A passer-by joins in

Reading in front of the original university

Hopes of love

Explaining the art

Discovering new things

Old meets new

Worship?

Scrolls attract tourists

Blowing a wish

Examining the work