LSN News › Vietnam

Culture & Entertainment · Vietnam Bureau

Vietnam marks 950 years of Quoc Tu Giam scholarly tradition

Vietnam has commemorated nine and a half centuries of the Quoc Tu Giam, the nation's premier historical institution of learning. The milestone celebration highlighted the enduring legacy of meritocratic scholarship from imperial examination times to the modern era.

LSN Vietnam · 11 November 2026

The anniversary programme showcased Vietnam's scholarly heritage through performances, visual presentations, and recreations of student life across different historical periods. Performances by current and former students, alongside cultural artists, traced the intellectual journey from the imperial examination system through to contemporary approaches to education and learning.

Quoc Tu Giam, established in the 11th century, represents a pivotal chapter in Vietnamese intellectual history. The institution evolved from serving as an academy for the elite to becoming a symbol of merit-based advancement and educational aspiration across Vietnamese society.

The commemoration also served to reinvigorate awareness of Thang Long-Hanoi's cultural significance among younger generations and international visitors. Educational materials and visitor guides were introduced to help audiences better understand how the institution shaped Vietnamese civilization and governance principles over the centuries.

The 950-year milestone reflects Vietnam's sustained commitment to learning as a cornerstone of national development. Officials underscored how the Quoc Tu Giam's historical emphasis on meritocracy and scholarly excellence continues to resonate with contemporary educational values and the nation's broader civilizational development.