Commemoration ceremony: "680th Anniversary of the Passing of Trạng Nguyên Mạc Đĩnh Chi (1346–2026)"

On the morning of March 28, 2026, at the Special National Heritage Site of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, the commemoration ceremony "680th Anniversary of the Passing of Trạng Nguyên Mạc Đĩnh Chi (1346–2026)" was held, contributing to the celebration of an outstanding cultural figure of the nation and to the promotion of Vietnam's longstanding traditions of reverence for learning and respect for moral values.

In the lead-up to the 950th Anniversary of the Founding of Quốc Tử Giám — Vietnam's First National University (1076–2026), and in honor of cultural figures who made significant contributions to the cause of national construction and development, the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities, in coordination with the Vietnam Historical Science Association and the Mạc Family Liaison Committee in Hà Nội, organized the commemoration ceremony "680th Anniversary of the Passing of Trạng Nguyên Mạc Đĩnh Chi (1346–2026)" at the Special National Heritage Site of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám.

Attending the ceremony were: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Đức Cường — President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Đăng Long — Vice President of the Hà Nội Historical Association and Head of the Mạc Family Liaison Committee; Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Văn Kim — Vice President of the National Heritage Council; Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Quang Ngọc — Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Đức Nhuệ — Chairman of the Historical Science Council; Dr. Lê Xuân Kiêu — Director of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities; along with a large number of descendants and members of the Mạc family lineage.

Mạc Đĩnh Chi, courtesy name Tiết Phu, was a native of Lũng Động village, Chí Linh district (present-day Long Động hamlet, Hợp Tiến commune, Hải Phòng city). In the Giáp Thìn year (1304), he passed the Thái Học Sinh examination with the highest distinction of Trạng Nguyên under the Hưng Long reign of King Trần Anh Tông. He was subsequently granted the title of Thái Học Sinh Hỏa Dũng Thủ, appointed as Nội Thư Gia, and later promoted to Đại Liêu Ban Tả Bộc Xạ.

Throughout his official career, Mạc Đĩnh Chi held many important positions, participated in diplomatic activities, and distinguished himself through his exceptional talent for rhetoric and his profound scholarship. His contributions brought great honor to the nation of Đại Việt. He was also a distant descendant of Mạc Hiển Tích and a distant ancestor of Mạc Đăng Dung.

As part of the commemoration ceremony, alongside the incense offering in tribute and remembrance of Trạng Nguyên Mạc Đĩnh Chi, scholars gathered to discuss his life, career, and contributions in the fields of education, politics, and diplomacy, further affirming the role of the Đại Việt intellectual class in the course of the nation's history.

The event contributed to the promotion of the traditions of reverence for learning and respect for teachers, while also kindling pride in Vietnam's rich legacy of civil examination-based education.