Quoc Tu Giam – the cultural icon of Vietnam

Located at the old Ninh Giam Village, Tho Xuong District, to the southwest of Thang Long Royal Citadel, Quoc Tu Giam, the first national university in Vietnam, was built in 1706 in the premises of Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) by King Ly Nhan Tong for princes and children of royal family members. Later it opened to talneted students of common families.

Quoc Tu Giam is a harmonious architectural complex with classrooms and dormitories which were arranged symmetrically to the north-south axis. Bearing such names as "Vien Quoc Hoc" (National Educational Institute) in the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400) then "Nha Thai Hoc" (Thai Hoc House) in the Le Dynasty (1428-1788), it was the first national university flourishing in the 15th century. To study in Quoc Tu Giam, students had to pass thi huong, the inter-provincial examination held for each region. After years of study in Quoc Tu Giam, students were allowed to take thi hoi, the first-degree examination held once every three years. Those with the highest marks in this exam were named bachelors. A year later, they would travel to the capital to take part in thi dinh which was held in the imperial court for doctorate. As a Ph.D., a scholar was then eligible to join the ranks of the mandarins.

In the past, Van Mieu was held in great reverence not only as a major centre of Confucian thought and study, but also for its status as the apogee of learning in Vietnam and the only route to becoming a mandarin. Throughout its hundreds of years of activity in the feudal system, thousands of Vietnamese scholars graduated from this university, namely historians Ngo Si Lien and Phan Huy Ich; scientists Le Quy Don and Phung Khac Khoan; politicians Ngo Thi Nham and Nguyen Cong Tru, etc.

In order to honour the value of traditional culture and education, "Thai Hoc Duong" (classrooms) were recently restored in the Quoc Tu Giam complex, covering an area of over 6,000m², which has become the centre for cultural and scientific activities of the Capital of Hanoi and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and foreign countries. Quoc Tu Giam has become the icon of Vietnam's history and culture and a tourist attraction for both domestic and foreign visitors.

                                                                                                                                     (Source: Vietnam Pictorial)