HÀ NỘI — A special exhibition celebrating 950 years of the Temple of Literature, widely regarded as Việt Nam’s first national university, opened on October 11 at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, highlighting the enduring place of education and scholarship in the nation’s heritage.

Titled 950 Years of Thăng Long’s Quốc Tử Giám (1076–2026), the exhibition is jointly organised by the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature and the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

It explores the historical, cultural and educational significance of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy, a Special National Relic, while celebrating the traditions of valuing education, respecting teachers and recognising talented people that have shaped Vietnamese society over generations.

Established in 1076 under the reign of King Lý Nhân Tông (1066-1128), the Temple of Literature marked an important milestone in the development of education in Việt Nam. Over the centuries, the institution helped educate and nurture generations of talented scholars, becoming a lasting symbol of the nation’s reverence for knowledge and its commitment to cultivating talent.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Trần Trung Hiếu, deputy director of Hà Nội’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the 950th anniversary was not only an occasion to take pride in the institution’s distinguished history, but also an opportunity to reflect on the role of education, knowledge and talent in national development.

As the country continues to renew and develop itself, he noted, these values remain highly relevant, reminding present generations of their responsibility to preserve and promote the traditions carefully nurtured by their predecessors.

A legacy of learning

The exhibition is organised around three themes: The Birthplace of Scholarly Tradition; Quốc Tử Giám – Việt Nam’s First National University; and Preserving and Promoting the Heritage of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy.

Through documents, photographs and artefacts, it traces key milestones in the institution’s establishment and development, helping visitors better understand its contribution to Việt Nam's educational history and Confucian examination system.

The exhibition's displays also shed light on the values that sustained the institution through changing times. The Temple of Literature's legacy reflects a longstanding belief that learning, cultivating morality and the recognising ability are essential to individual and societal development.

The decision to stage the exhibition at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism adds another dimension to the anniversary. Bringing the story of the Imperial Academy into a cultural space representing Việt Nam’s 54 ethnic groups connects the country’s scholarly heritage with its diverse cultural identities.

Nguyễn Văn Tú, deputy director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities at the Temple of Literature, said the venue gave the exhibition particular significance.

As a place that showcases the cultural diversity and distinctive traditions of Việt Nam’s ethnic communities, the village provides a setting in which the values of national scholarship can be shared with the wider public, he said.

He added that the exhibition was not simply an opportunity to learn about the history of education, but also a way to foster national pride, strengthen public awareness of heritage preservation and encourage younger generations to carry forward the tradition of valuing learning.

Bringing heritage closer to the public

The exhibition also highlights contemporary efforts to preserve and promote the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy. By bringing historical documents, photographs and stories about the Temple of Literature to a venue beyond the relic site itself, the organisers aim to expand public access to the country’s cultural and educational heritage.

Alongside the displays, public engagement activities offer visitors a more vivid introduction to the institution’s history, including the learning and examination practices of earlier times. Presenting these stories through accessible, visual and hands-on experiences helps make heritage education more engaging, particularly for younger audiences.

Such activities also demonstrate how historical sites can remain relevant by finding new ways to communicate their significance. Rather than confining the past to monuments and archival records, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the ideas and values that have continued to influence Vietnamese society.

The anniversary exhibition takes place as Việt Nam prepares to mark Vietnamese Teachers’ Day on November 20 and Việt Nam Cultural Heritage Day on November 23. Together, these occasions provide an opportunity to reflect on the cultural and educational achievements passed down through generations.

By revisiting the history of the Temple of Literature and sharing its legacy with a diverse public, the exhibition seeks to nurture pride in the nation’s scholarly tradition and encourage a stronger sense of collective responsibility for safeguarding cultural heritage.

Nine and a half centuries after its establishment, the Temple of Literature remains a powerful reminder that education is more than the pursuit of knowledge. It is also a cultural legacy – one that links generations and continues to shape Việt Nam’s aspirations for the future. — VNS