LAUNCH OF THE NEW VISITOR MAP AND LEAFLET AT VĂN MIẾU – QUỐC TỬ GIÁM SPECIAL NATIONAL MONUMENT

On the afternoon of 3 November 2026, the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Vietnam, the French Institute in Vietnam and Hanoi Architectural University, held a ceremony to launch a new visitor map and leaflet at the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Special National Monument in Hà Nội. The event was a meaningful part of the activities commemorating the 950th anniversary of the founding of Quốc Tử Giám (1076–2026), helping to improve heritage interpretation and enabling visitors to explore the site's historical, cultural and architectural values.

The ceremony was attended by Mr Éric Soulier, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of France in Vietnam and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam; Mr Emmanuel Cerise, Representative of the Île-de-France Region in Hà Nội and Director of the Paris Region International Cooperation Agency in Vietnam; Mr Vũ Xuân Hùng, Member of the Hanoi Party Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám Ward; Mr Phạm Xuân Tài, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Associate Professor Dr Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Vice-Rector of Hanoi Architectural University; Ms Phạm Thanh Hường, Head of the Culture Unit at the UNESCO Office in Hà Nội; Dr Nguyễn Viết Chức, former Deputy Chair of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Education and Chair of the Management Council of the Thăng Long Research Institute; Dr Lê Thị Minh Lý, former Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage and Member of the National Cultural Heritage Council; Mr Hoàng Quốc Việt, Head of the Culture and Arts Division of the Hanoi Party Committee's Commission for Propaganda and Education; Dr Nguyễn Thị Hiệp, Heritage Expert at the French Agency for International Technical Cooperation; Dr Nguyễn Thái Huyền, architect and Deputy Director of the Institute of Training and International Cooperation at Hanoi Architectural University; and Mr Lê Xuân Kiêu, Director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám.

Representatives of cultural management agencies, researchers, international experts, architects involved in the project and members of the press were also present.

Covering an area of more than 54,000 square metres, Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám is a heritage complex comprising numerous architectural structures and historic spaces of exceptional value. The development of the new visitor map and leaflet aims to meet the public's increasingly diverse interests in heritage while helping visitors navigate the site independently and choose routes suited to their preferences.

The new visitor map provides an overview of the heritage site's layout, the locations of its architectural structures and key points of interest. The accompanying leaflet offers concise, visually engaging information about the history, architectural features, historical figures and distinctive cultural and educational values of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám. By combining maps, images and interpretative content, these materials make information more accessible, enhancing the visitor experience and enabling a deeper understanding of the heritage site.

A notable feature of the project is the direct involvement of a team of architects and doctoral graduates who received their training in France and are currently lecturers at Hanoi Architectural University. Drawing on research into the site's history, architecture and spatial layout, the team applied modern design and heritage interpretation methods to develop materials that are academically grounded, visually engaging and easy to use. The project also represents a tangible outcome of Vietnam–France cooperation in education, scientific research and cultural heritage preservation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Phạm Xuân Tài, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasised:

“Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám is one of the capital's most significant historical and cultural heritage sites, symbolising the Vietnamese people's longstanding traditions of respect for learning, respect for teachers and recognition and appointment of talented individuals. Heritage preservation must go hand in hand with helping the public understand and appreciate these values.”

He also highlighted the practical significance of the new visitor map and leaflet, describing them as useful tools to help visitors find their way around the site, explore its architectural structures and gain a deeper understanding of its history, architecture and cultural and educational values.

Beyond improving visitor information materials, the project also opens up opportunities for long-term cooperation in research, the collection and digitisation of historical materials, and the development of a multilingual digital documentation platform for Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám. The collection and systematic organisation of historical sources, stone inscriptions, horizontal inscribed panels, parallel couplets, royal decrees and archival documents, particularly French-language materials, will support research, heritage education and public engagement.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Éric Soulier, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of France in Vietnam and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, stated:

“Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám is not only a tourist destination but also a place of learning, where research activities continue to this day.”

He also highlighted the important role of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám in promoting cultural exchange and research cooperation between Vietnam and France.

Associate Professor Dr Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Vice-Rector of Hanoi Architectural University, shared insights into the university's involvement in the project, emphasising the integration of historical and architectural research with modern design methods to enhance the visitor experience. He affirmed:

“The project at Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám is a vivid example of this approach to cooperation.”

The project also builds on nearly 30 years of cooperation in education and research between Hanoi Architectural University and its French partners, demonstrating the practical value of applying professional expertise to cultural heritage preservation and promotion.

Looking ahead, the participating organisations aim to develop themed heritage discovery routes, initially within the grounds of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, with a view to connecting the site to other Văn Miếu temples, Văn chỉ shrines and villages renowned for their scholarly traditions across Vietnam. The integration of academic research, digital technology and heritage tourism is expected to create new ways for the public to engage with the history of Vietnamese education and the country's imperial examination traditions.

The launch of the new visitor map and leaflet was a meaningful activity marking the 950th anniversary of the founding of Quốc Tử Giám. It also reflected ongoing efforts to modernise heritage interpretation and promote the site's values in contemporary society. Looking ahead to the 1,000th anniversary of Quốc Tử Giám in 2076, these initiatives will help preserve and share the historical, cultural and educational values of Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, carrying forward Vietnam's longstanding traditions of respect for learning and recognition and appointment of talented individuals.

TL: LH