TOUR “THE STONE STELAE TELL THEIR STORIES” – EXPLORING THE LANDS OF SCHOLARSHIP
The display “The Stone Stelae Tell Their Stories” helps visitors easily access information about the localities with Doctoral Laureates, scholarly families, and the long-standing tradition of learning across the country.
The 82 Doctoral Stelae are invaluable historical relics of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, and a source of pride for Vietnam’s educational and cultural heritage. These stone stelae not only record the names of eminent Confucian scholars but also reflect the vibrant academic atmosphere and the contributions of different regions and scholarly lineages to the nation’s tradition of learning. Each stele stands as a monumental “stone chronicle,” telling stories of the pursuit of knowledge, aspirations to serve the country, and the intellectual legacy of generations past.
At the Doctoral Stelae Garden of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, the display “The Stone Stelae Tell Their Stories” allows visitors to discover the scholarly traditions of localities and learned families throughout history. The highlight of the exhibition is a statistical map showing the number of Doctoral Laureates from each region. This vivid visual tool enables visitors to grasp the overall picture of the examination system and scholarly centres across Vietnam.
The distribution on the map reveals that the major scholarly centres of the past were concentrated mainly in the Northern Delta and North Central regions. Leading the list is Hà Nội with 372 Doctoral Laureates, followed by Hải Dương (197), Bắc Ninh (173), Thanh Hóa (128), Hưng Yên (107), Hà Tĩnh (69), and Nghệ An (44). Other provinces such as Thái Bình (51), Vĩnh Phúc (41), Hải Phòng (35), Nam Định (31), Hà Nam (16), and Ninh Bình (6) also contributed significantly to the nation’s academic tradition.
The use of colour in the display not only enhances its visual appeal but also vividly illustrates how the spirit of learning spread from region to region. These figures are living evidence of our ancestors’ determination to advance through education. Each name inscribed on the stela represents an individual story, and together they form a precious legacy of the Vietnamese people’s love of learning and aspiration to make a meaningful life through scholarship.
The display does not merely recount stories of success but also evokes pride among visitors. Mr Nguyễn Gia Thanh from Vụ Bản, Nam Định, shared his impression:
“At first, when I visited the Doctoral Stelae, I only saw the Chinese characters and did not understand much. But after reading the information at the display area, I learned a lot. I am very proud to know that my homeland is a land of learning with many Doctoral Laureates.”
By situating the statistical map within the Stelae Garden — where the original stelae bearing the names of the laureates are preserved — the display establishes a direct connection between imagery, documentation, and authentic artefacts. It enables visitors not only to read but also to understand and feel the continuous flow of Vietnam’s scholarly tradition through the centuries.
LH
