Hanoi marks 950 years of Quoc Tu Giam with scholars' legacy exhibition

The Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities inaugurated an exhibition on November 9 at Hanoi's Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy, one of Vietnam's most significant heritage sites, to commemorate the 950th anniversary of the nation's first university.

Titled "Founding Craftsmen and Confucian Scholars of Vietnam," the exhibition showcases the pivotal role played by generations of scholars in shaping Vietnamese civilization through education, philosophy, and traditional craftsmanship. The display underscores how academic excellence and practical skill-building became intertwined in the institution's approach to developing talent for the state.

Quoc Tu Giam, established in 1070 during the Ly Dynasty, served as the intellectual heart of medieval Vietnam, educating scholars who would become influential administrators, philosophers, and cultural custodians. The anniversary exhibition reflects the centre's ongoing efforts to preserve and communicate this legacy to contemporary audiences and international visitors interested in Vietnam's intellectual history.

The Van Mieu complex, designated as a special national relic site, continues to function as both a museum and cultural venue, attracting thousands of visitors annually seeking to understand Vietnam's commitment to meritocratic governance and scholarly pursuits spanning nearly a thousand years.