HƯNG YÊN — A national ceremony marking the 300th birth anniversary of cultural luminary Lê Quý Đôn (1726–2026) will take place at the Lê Quý Đôn Memorial Site in Lê Quý Đôn Commune in the northern province of Hưng Yên on July 31.

The programme will begin at 8pm and be broadcast live on VTV1.

A major event of special significance, the commemoration honours the life, career and outstanding contributions of the luminary and polymath to the nation's culture, science and education.

It also aims to promote Việt Nam's longstanding tradition of learning, inspire a spirit of innovation and creativity, contribute to preserving and promoting cultural heritage and showcase Hưng Yên's people, image and development potential.

The programme comprises two main parts: a commemorative ceremony, including the announcement and presentation of UNESCO's resolution honouring Đôn, followed by a special art performance themed Radiance of Vietnamese Civilisation.

Through a blend of contemporary artistic expression and traditional cultural values, the programme will portray the life, scholarly legacy, intellectual thought and outstanding contributions of Đôn to the nation's history.

According to the organisers, around 6,000 delegates and members of the public are expected to attend the commemoration.

Earlier in the day, an incense- and flower-offering ceremony will be held at 2pm at the ancestral temple of the Lê Quý family, followed by an incense-offering ceremony at 7pm at the Lê Quý Đôn Memorial Site.

In addition to the national commemoration, a wide range of activities has been organised, including a national scientific conference themed Polymath and Cultural Luminary Lê Quý Đôn: Spiritual Legacy and Contemporary Values, an awards ceremony for a nationwide contest on Đôn's life and legacy launched by the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union as well as exhibitions, displays, a reading week and educational extracurricular activities dedicated to the renowned scholar.

An exhibition on Đôn's cultural legacy is scheduled to be held at UNESCO headquarters in France this October, organised by Hưng Yên Province.

Beyond the anniversary celebrations, Hưng Yên is carrying out a range of initiatives to preserve and promote Đôn's legacy in the new era.

These include establishing the Lê Quý Đôn Prize for Science and Technology, incorporating his life, career and scholarly thought into the local education curriculum and continuing to invest in the conservation and restoration of historical sites associated with the renowned polymath's life and achievements.

Đôn, born Lê Danh Phương and known by the courtesy name Doãn Hậu and the pseudonym Quế Đường, was born in 1726 in Diên Hà Village, now part of Lê Quý Đôn Commune in Hưng Yên Province.

Regarded as one of Việt Nam's greatest polymaths of the 18th century, he left behind nearly 40 scholarly works spanning a wide range of fields, including history, philosophy, geography, literature, education and science.

Renowned for his profound scholarship, lifelong commitment to learning and advocacy of meritocracy, Đôn became a symbol of Vietnamese intellect, leaving behind an enduring legacy that continues to enrich the nation's cultural and intellectual heritage. — VNS