QUỐC TỬ GIÁM AND EXAMINATION-BASED EDUCATION DURING THE TRẤN DYNASTY THROUGH THE EXHIBITION "QUỐC TỬ GIÁM – THE FIRST NATIONAL UNIVERSITY"
The Quốc Tử Giám was built in 1076, continuously expanded and developed through various dynasties, becoming the foremost center for training talented individuals in our country under the monarchy. Despite the many vicissitudes of history, the old Quốc Tử Giám no longer exists. With the desire to provide knowledge and information about the school known as the first university in our country, the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám has organized the exhibition "Quốc Tử Giám – The First National University" at the Đông Vu building in the Đại Thành area of Văn Miếu. This exhibition helps us learn about the development stages of Quốc Tử Giám and the examination-based education system through different dynasties, including the period of Quốc Tử Giám during the Trần Dynasty from the 13th to 15th centuries.
The displayed materials show that under the Trần Dynasty (1226-1400), Quốc Tử Giám was renovated and renamed Quốc Học viện. The Trần Dynasty selected scholars to teach Quốc Tử Giám students from various localities across the country.
In 1247, the Trần Dynasty began awarding the titles of Tam khôi to the top three candidates in the examinations, ranked in order: Trạng nguyên, Bảng nhãn, Thám hoa. The title Trạng nguyên started from this examination, with Nguyễn Hiền becoming the first Trạng nguyên of the Trần Dynasty, passing the exam at the age of 13. In 1374, the title of Tiến sĩ replaced the title of "Thái học sinh."
Particularly under King Trần Thái Tông (1225-1258), a system was established where two Trạng nguyên were selected in one examination: Kinh Trạng nguyên and Trại Trạng nguyên. Candidates from the capital region were called "Kinh," while those from the Thanh Hóa – Nghệ An region were called "Trại." In the 1256 examination, Trần Quốc Lặc was awarded the title of Kinh Trạng nguyên, and Trương Xán was awarded the title of Trại Trạng nguyên. In the 1266 examination, Trần Cố was awarded Kinh Trạng nguyên, and Bạch Liêu was awarded Trại Trạng nguyên. These are the only two examinations in the history of our Confucian education system to select two Trạng nguyên.
In 1370, King Trần Nghệ Tông enshrined the memorial tablet of Quốc Tử Giám's Director Chu Văn An at Văn Miếu. Chu Văn An was a highly respected teacher of the Vietnamese nation. He was appointed Director of the Imperial Academy by the Trần Dynasty and became the tutor of two crown princes. He made significant contributions to training the nation's talents.
Under the court's attention to nurturing talent and encouraging learning, the Trần Dynasty produced many renowned figures praised by historians, such as Lê Văn Hưu (1230-1322), Nguyễn Hiền (1234-?), Chu Văn An (1292-1370), Phạm Sư Mạnh (1300-1377), and Lê Quát.
To gain a deeper understanding of the development of Quốc Tử Giám and the examination-based education system during the Trần Dynasty, we invite you to visit the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám exhibition. The exhibition is open for free every day of the week.
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