When heritage awakens in the light of the contemporary era.

On the evening of May 16, 2026, amidst the ancient vaulted ceilings and the serene golden hues of the building at 19 Le Thanh Tong Street, a stream of memories was awakened. More than just the opening of an exhibition, it was a moment when history, art, and knowledge converged in an emotionally charged space – where Hanoi National University recounted its traditions through light, sound, memory, and aspiration.

Việt Nam•16/05/2026

The exhibition "120 Years of Hanoi National University: A Tradition of Elite and Liberal Education ," organized by the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts, opened like a time portal, taking the public from the founding of Indochina University in 1906 to today's Hanoi National University, which is thriving in the era of global knowledge.

In the heritage space of the Nguy Nhu Kon Tum Hall, the century-old walls no longer seem static. They become "living witnesses," where history is recreated using modern video mapping technology, light art, the movements of contemporary fashion , and the vibrations of human emotion.

The opening ceremony was attended by numerous delegates from the Central Government, Hanoi City, diplomatic agencies, artists, experts, international partners, and a large number of faculty, staff, and students from Vietnam National University, Hanoi. But beyond the nature of an academic or cultural event, the exhibition resembled a reunion of generations of intellectuals – where the past and the future coexisted in a single moment.

Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Bao Son

Speaking at the ceremony, Associate Professor Pham Bao Son, Vice Director of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, shared that the exhibition is not simply about looking back at history through archival documents, but an opportunity for the public to engage in direct dialogue with heritage through artistic experiences.

Vietnam's modern higher education system, from the University of Indochina to the present-day Vietnam National University, Hanoi, has inherited not only an educational institution but also a spirit of enlightenment, a desire to serve the country with knowledge, and a belief in the power of human beings.

And perhaps, what makes the exhibition special is not its scale or technology, but the way history "breathes" in the present.

Viewers are not standing before dry, impersonal artifacts. They are embarking on an emotional journey.

In the "Origins" section, the public feels as if they are touching the breath of a period of intellectual enlightenment in the early 20th century. Documents about Indochina University, portraits of pioneering scholars, old architectural drawings... appear as the first sketches of the nation's "Aspiration for a University."

Moving on to the "Resilience" section, the light softens, giving way to the colors of war memories and an undying academic spirit. This was the era of Hanoi University – where knowledge was kept alive amidst hardship, where many great scientists matured to contribute to the modern face of Vietnamese science.

And in "Breakthrough," a youthful, integrated, and ambitious Vietnam National University emerges amidst the digital space, interactive art, and symbols of the future Hoa Lac megacity. The past does not stand still but continues to become the foundation for a new journey.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Hieu – Rector of the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Hieu – Rector of the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts – emphasized that the exhibition not only tells the story of history but also offers insights into the future of education within a multidisciplinary university ecosystem, where art, technology, and interdisciplinary knowledge coexist.

In today's world, art no longer stands alone as an isolated field. It connects with digital technology, with social life, and with contemporary human issues. Therefore, art education should not only train artists in the traditional sense, but also aim to cultivate creative individuals with open minds and the ability to connect across disciplines.

That spirit is clearly evident in every detail of the exhibition.

It's when contemporary Indochine-style ao dai dresses stroll beneath the ancient French arches. It's when streaks of video mapping light blanket the old yellow walls, making century-old architecture seem to move in rhythm with time. It's when digital art, silk paintings, lacquerware, sound, and multimedia performances engage in dialogue within a university space.

The exhibition is not just about "showcasing" history. It makes history come alive, tangible, and relatable to young people.

Do Thi Mai Lan, a third-year student majoring in Entertainment and Event Management at the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts, emotionally shared that for the first time, she not only "understood" the history of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, but truly "felt" the beauty of that 120-year journey.

Amidst the historic setting of 19 Le Thanh Tong Street, the young student felt as if she had embarked on a journey through time. Each contemporary artwork seemed to converse with the heritage walls. Every beam of light, every arrangement transformed history into a vibrant, creative cultural space, awakening all the senses.

Nguyen Minh Tam, a student majoring in Brand Management, believes the exhibition is like a "living lesson" on how to tell the story of a heritage brand using modern language. She realized that Vietnam National University, Hanoi, not only embodies the solemnity of tradition but also possesses vitality, innovation, and the ability to touch the community's emotions through art.

What is most valuable is that the exhibition has transcended the boundaries of an event exclusively for the academic community.

Many Hanoi residents visiting the university were surprised to see how it could recreate history through such emotionally rich artistic language. This space allowed the public to better understand the journey of Vietnamese higher education over more than a century – from the first classrooms to the aspiration of building a world-class research university.

Throughout the week of May 16th to 22nd, 2026, a series of exhibitions, seminars, public lectures, and art performances will continue at 19 Le Thanh Tong Street. However, perhaps the greatest value of the event lies not in the number of artworks or the scale of the organization.

That's when a university space becomes an open cultural space for the community.