HÀ NỘI — Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino used the guestbook at the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám (Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy) in Hà Nội on October 6 to call the relic site a product of Việt Nam’s cultural and educational values, saying he was “immensely proud” to visit as a State leader during his official trip.

Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Brigitte Haas followed on October 19, calling the site a symbol of Việt Nam’s educational tradition and respect for intellectual talent.

956 years since King Lý Thánh Tông built the Temple of Literature and 950 years since King Lý Nhân Tông founded Quốc Tử Giám, the special national relic site preserves examination history and now functions as a cultural diplomacy venue where Việt Nam’s soft power is conveyed through knowledge, talent and identity.

Historical depth as the draw

Quốc Tử Giám dates to 1076. Its garden holds 82 stelae naming 1,304 doctoral laureates from the Lê and Mạc dynasties. UNESCO added the collection to the Memory of the World Register in 2011. The stelae are records of examination history and a window into the ancestors’ views on education, training and talent. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a doctor of law and political science, received a briefing on doctoral examinations in monarchical Việt Nam during his state visit in January 2024.

The second draw is universal: learning, respect for knowledge, talent and teachers transcend cultural boundaries. Panamanian President Mulino was shown Vinh Quy Bái Tổ, a painting depicting Confucian scholars studying, sitting examinations, passing and returning home – a story that resonates with anyone who values education. UNESCO Representative to Việt Nam Jonathan Wallace Baker said Việt Nam’s distinctive strength lies in its deep-rooted and enduring respect for education, learning and scholarship. Quốc Tử Giám, he said, demonstrates how knowledge, talent and ethical responsibility have long been linked in Vietnamese society.

The third draw is the format. The site’s green, tranquil and ancient setting allows visits to unfold at a leisurely, informal pace, giving leaders room to experience, ask questions and respond in ways that are difficult to achieve through ceremonial diplomacy. Liechtenstein Prime Minister Brigitte Haas repeatedly highlighted the old architecture, trees and historical stories brought together in one cultural space.

Baker said the 82 stelae tell a broader story of cultural exchange: Confucian education was adapted and developed in Việt Nam. This makes the relic site a reference point for the country's historical ties with other East Asian cultures and the formation of its own identity.

Việt Nam tells its story through cultural symbols

Though high-ranking delegations and international organisations visit the same site, Việt Nam, as host, offers different receptions, each featuring distinctive cultural narratives.

On May 26, 2025, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Tô Lâm and his spouse hosted French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse. From the main gate, Huế royal court music sounded in welcome. The two leaders passed through Văn Miếu Gate, Đại Trung Gate, Khuê Văn Các (Pavilion of the Constellation of Literature) – a symbol of Hà Nội – and Thiên Quang Well before visiting the Doctoral Stelae Garden. They then enjoyed an excerpt of Huế royal court music, an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. To conclude the visit, General Secretary Tô Lâm invited President Macron to beat the drum at Thái Học, built in 2000 on the former site of Quốc Tử Giám, as a gesture symbolising the opening of knowledge and enduring friendship.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum on June 8, 2026, Đào Thị Bích Thủy, spouse of Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, and the spouses of the prime ministers of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand toured the Sĩ Tử exhibition at Thái Học, including Vườn Trạng Nguyên, which showcases nearly 950 stories of academic achievement by students from across the country. Bamboo, dó (poonah) paper, conical hats and rattan conveyed a message of perseverance and faith in knowledge. Visitors also tried their hands at conical-hat painting, hand embroidery, and silk weaving.

The spouse of the Panamanian President, Maricel Cohen de Mulino, wrote in the guestbook: “Sincere thanks for the thoughtful reception and meaningful sharing. Việt Nam is always in our hearts”.

From a “soft message” to the responsibility to carry it forward

In a fragmented world, Việt Nam is using cultural diplomacy to signal its commitment to cooperation rooted in tradition, sovereignty and cultural self-respect. The Temple of Literature, built around the values of knowledge, talent and learning, fits into a development strategy centred on knowledge and education, which Việt Nam can present as sustainable and independent.

For visiting leaders, the venue itself changes the tone. Receiving guests in Việt Nam’s most sacred cultural and educational space, rather than simply at a residence or in a conference hall, adds value and spiritual depth to strategic ties. President Macron’s visit signals an approach to Asia built on respect and dialogue. Prime Minister Haas’s wish that the site continue “inspiring, nurturing brainpower and the spirit of learning for future generations” demonstrates the visit’s significance beyond diplomatic protocol.

At the November 11 photo exhibition From Heritage to Cultural Diplomacy, co-hosted by the Vietnam News Agency and the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities, Baker said the site is a symbol of Việt Nam’s culture and education and a regular choice for high-ranking leaders and politicians. This elevates it from a national heritage site to a valuable platform for promoting cultural diplomacy and showcasing Việt Nam’s cultural soft power, helping convey the country's image and cultural identity to the international community.

2026 marks three milestones: 950 years of Quốc Tử Giám, 80 years since the first National Conference on Culture and 50 years of UNESCO–Việt Nam cooperation. Baker said Việt Nam is a responsible partner that is playing an increasingly active role in shaping UNESCO’s global and regional agenda and contributing its experience to international cultural discussions, including the 2026 Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Heritage and Authenticity. Việt Nam’s proposal for an International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development (2027–2036) adds further multilateral weight. Bilateral visits and multilateral initiatives reinforce each other.

Baker also pointed to the 2025 Law on Teachers, Politburo Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training, tuition-free public schools and expanded two-session-per-day schooling. Việt Nam has six cities in UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities and its first UNESCO Chair at VinUni. These demonstrate the country's commitment to teachers, access to quality education, lifelong learning and international academic cooperation, showing how Quốc Tử Giám’s spirit of valuing learning and talent is being carried forward in a new context.

The UNESCO Representative said a site like Quốc Tử Giám is not merely a destination for visitors and students, but also a place to read history, learn from tradition and gain new perspectives and inspiration for creativity. — VNA/VNS