OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PHOTO EXHIBITION “THE LAST REGIONAL EXAMINATION OF THE 19TH CENTURY”
On the morning of November 6, 2025, within the framework of the international photography biennale Photo Hanoi ’25, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, in collaboration with Photo Hanoi ’25, inaugurated the photo exhibition entitled “The Last Regional Examination of the 19th Century” at Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám.
The exhibition features 25 precious photographs taken by the French photographer Firmin-André Salles, capturing the Regional Examination (Khoa thi Hương) of the Đinh Dậu year (1897) in Nam Định — one of the last examinations of Vietnam’s Confucian civil service system. These rare archival images vividly recreate the solemn yet spirited atmosphere of the old examination compound at a time when Confucian scholarship was entering a transitional period, as classical Chinese characters gradually gave way to the Vietnamese romanised script (chữ Quốc ngữ).
Attending the opening ceremony were Mr Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam; Mr Soulier Eric Gabriel Michel, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities at the French Embassy in Vietnam and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đỗ Văn Trụ, President of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association; Dr Vũ Thị Minh Hương, Vice Chairperson of the UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific; Ms Phạm Thị Lan Anh, Head of Heritage Management Division, Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports; and Mr Lê Xuân Kiêu, Director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities at Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám.
The exhibition space, crafted from traditional bamboo, draws inspiration from the architecture of ancient examination compounds, harmoniously combined with contemporary design to offer visitors a unique visual experience within the millennia-old heritage site. Beneath the leafy canopies of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, the bamboo structures rise gracefully — a poetic metaphor for the enduring vitality of knowledge and the Vietnamese spirit of learning.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lê Xuân Kiêu, Director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities at Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, shared:
“For the first time, an exhibition is brought beyond the walls of the heritage site, allowing the public to engage more closely with these invaluable historical photographs. We hope this exhibition will inspire and nurture the spirit of learning, respect for teachers, and appreciation of talent — the core values of Vietnamese Confucian education — while also resonating with UNESCO’s four pillars of learning: Learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to live together.”
Beyond its historical and artistic significance, the exhibition also serves as a dialogue between heritage and photography. Mr Soulier Eric Gabriel Michel, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities at the French Embassy and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, remarked:
“The photo exhibition by Firmin-André Salles, displayed along the grounds of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, stands as a powerful symbol of the intersection between place and art. The works, showcased within bamboo structures inspired by ancient examination halls, line the outer wall of Văn Miếu — itself a symbol of Confucianism and a historic cultural monument of Thăng Long, the imperial capital.”
Also at the ceremony, Mr Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, emphasised the significance of exhibiting within such a meaningful setting:
“Hosting the exhibition at Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, the former academic centre of the imperial court, carries profound meaning. This place continues to stand as a symbol of literature, heritage, and the intersection of knowledge, art, and contemplation.”
The exhibition “The Last Regional Examination of the 19th Century” not only offers the public a rare glimpse into the images of a bygone era but also provides an opportunity to reflect on the enduring value of education, knowledge, and the culture of learning in contemporary society.
Exhibition Period: November 1 – 30, 2025
Venue: Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, Hanoi
Below are some photos from the opening ceremony.
Delegates attending the opening ceremony of the exhibition
Mr. Lê Xuân Kiêu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities at Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.
Mr. Soulier Eric Gabriel Michel, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities at the French Embassy in Vietnam and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, delivers a speech
Mr. Jonathan Wallace Baker, Chief Representative of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, delivers a speech
Dr. Đỗ Thị Hương Thảo, Lecturer at the Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, introduces the exhibition.
Bachelors having lunch at the Governor’s Residence
The crowd parading with the successful candidates
LH
