On September 12, 2025, the National Architectural and Artistic Relic – Hàng Kênh Communal House (Lê Chân Ward, Hải Phòng City) was filled with excitement and pride as the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, in collaboration with Hải Phòng Museum, organized the contest “Exploring the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Relic and Hải Phòng’s Cultural Heritage.” The contest was not only a knowledge playground for students but also an occasion for the young generation of the Port City to foster love for their homeland, appreciate cultural heritage values, and nurture a studious spirit.
Overview of the Contest “Exploring the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Relic and Hải Phòng’s Cultural Heritage”
The event was attended by delegates, distinguished guests, teachers, and a large number of students from Hoàng Diệu Secondary School, Chu Văn An Secondary School, and Hồng Bàng Secondary School, Hải Phòng City.
Mrs. Phạm Thị Tô Trang – Deputy Director of Hải Phòng Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism – presented flowers to the Organizing Committee of the contest.
The Panel of Judges
The jury of the contest comprised distinguished experts, scholars, and managers in the fields of history and culture: Mr. Vũ Quốc Trị – Teacher at Trần Phú Secondary School (Hải Phòng); Dr. Nguyễn Văn Tú – Deputy Director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Đức Nhuệ – Chairman of the Scientific Council, Institute of Vietnamese History; Dr. Nguyễn Văn Sơn – Chairman of Hanoi Historical Association; Mr. Phạm Xuân Thanh – Chairman of the Historical Science Association of Hải Phòng City; Mr. Nguyễn Văn Hiểu – Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilisation Department of the Hải Phòng City Party Committee; and MA. Đỗ Đình Quyết – Deputy Director of Hải Phòng Museum.
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Nguyễn Văn Tú – Deputy Director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám emphasised:
“Hải Phòng is a land rich in cultural traditions, preserving valuable heritage and also known for its devotion to learning, having produced many talents for the nation. This contest not only provides useful knowledge but also serves as a playground of ‘learning through playing – playing while learning,’ helping students to nurture their love for history, respect for their homeland’s heritage, and thereby strive for excellence in both study and life.”
Dr. Nguyễn Văn Tú – Deputy Director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám – delivered the opening speech of the contest.
The contest was a combination of historical–cultural knowledge and creative expression. Three teams from Hoàng Diệu Secondary School, Chu Văn An Secondary School, and Hồng Bàng Secondary School took part in three challenging rounds.
In Round 1 – Knowledge of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, 15 questions focusing on the architecture, values, and historical significance of the relic were answered excellently by the teams. Beyond demonstrating their thorough preparation, this round also enabled students to gain deeper insights into Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, a symbol of the nation’s tradition of learning, respect for teachers, and reverence for education.
Moving on to Round 2 – Knowledge of Hải Phòng’s Cultural Heritage, the atmosphere became more intense with a buzzer quiz format. The contestants’ rich knowledge, quick reflexes, and the enthusiastic cheers of the audience turned this round into a vibrant “stage of knowledge.” It was also the moment when their love for the homeland’s heritage was most vividly expressed.
In Round 3 – The Journey to Discover Heritage, the teams faced the challenge of assembling picture puzzles and delivering presentations on outstanding heritage sites of Hanoi and Hải Phòng. From scattered pieces, complete pictures gradually emerged, accompanied by persuasive, creative, and emotionally engaging presentations. This was not only an intellectual competition but also an opportunity for the young generation to demonstrate their sense of responsibility towards the heritage of their ancestors.
The Heritage Presentation by Hồng Bàng Secondary School, Hải Phòng.
The Heritage Presentation by Chu Văn An Secondary School, Hải Phòng.
The Heritage Presentation by Hoàng Diệu Secondary School, Hải Phòng.
Interspersed between the competition rounds were captivating art performances, such as the song “Hải Phòng – My Childhood” by students of Hồng Bàng Secondary School, the dance performance “An Biên – A Glorious Chapter of History” by the Chu Văn An Secondary School Club, and the vibrant dance “A Thousand Dreams of Vietnam” by students of Hoàng Diệu Secondary School. The program also featured a quiz session for the audience with many engaging questions, adding to the lively and connected atmosphere of the event.
FINAL RESULTS
At the conclusion of the contest, the Organising Committee honoured the outstanding teams:
First Prize: Hong Bang Secondary School
Second Prize: Chu Van An Secondary School
Third Prize: Hoang Dieu Secondary School
Style Prize: Hoang Dieu Secondary School
Talent Prize: Chu Van An Secondary School
First Prize: Hong Bang Secondary School
Second Prize: Chu Van An Secondary School
Third Prize: Hoang Dieu Secondary School
Style Prize: Hoang Dieu Secondary School
Talent Prize: Chu Van An Secondary School
The contest concluded with the vibrant melody of “The Road to Glory”, leaving teachers, students, and delegates with lasting impressions of a meaningful day of culture and education. The essence of the event lay not only in recognizing the best-performing teams but, more importantly, in promoting and widely introducing the cultural values of Hai Phong’s heritage and the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám site. Through this, the contest inspired pride, love for the homeland, and a sense of responsibility for heritage preservation among Hai Phong’s young generation in particular, and Vietnamese youth in general.
The success of the event also reaffirmed the vital role of heritage education in schools, nurturing young minds with knowledge, cultural appreciation, and civic responsibility toward the nation’s cultural legacy.
