Spreading educational, cultural and intellectual values ​​in Vietnam's journey of international integration

On November 3, in Hanoi, the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature in collaboration with domestic and international research experts organized a seminar on "East-West Cultural and Educational Heritage" to enhance academic exchanges and promote awareness of the lasting value of educational heritage. The event is part of the Thang Long - Hanoi Festival 2025.

The discussion "East-West Educational and Cultural Heritage" opens an intercultural dialogue between two typical educational icons: the Imperial Academy of Thang Long - representing the spirit of studiousness, morality and courtesy of the East; and Columbia University (USA) - the embodiment of liberal thinking, creativity and academic freedom of the West. The event aims to evoke a deep awareness of the role of educational heritage in shaping national identity and human character, while expanding the vision of integration, connecting tradition with innovation in the context of globalization.

Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Le Thi Anh Mai delivered the opening speech of the seminar.

Speaking at the opening of the discussion, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Le Thi Anh Mai said: The Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam was established in the late 11th century under the Ly Dynasty, as a place to honor the saints and sages and a place for royal children to study. Through the dynasties, the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam became the highest educational center, a place to train thousands of talented people for the country, and at the same time, a place to foster many good traditional values ​​of the nation such as the tradition of respecting teachers, respecting talented people and loving learning.

Those traditions have created the value of Vietnamese Confucianism, contributing to the construction and development of the country throughout history. The Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy educates people based on the foundation of etiquette and morality, taking self-cultivation as the core for learners. The main ideology of education is based on humanity. That traditional education also leaves the next generation a huge cultural and educational heritage, which is thousands of famous scholars and extremely valuable traditions and morals that are still valuable in today's era.

Professor, Doctor of Science Vu Minh Giang, Chairman of the Science and Training Council of Hanoi National University, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Historical Science Association shared at the seminar

According to Ms. Le Thi Anh Mai, in the context of Vietnam entering a new era, innovation in thinking, especially in the field of education, is very important to meet the needs of training human resources for national development. Traditional education needs to be seen as a lesson, an experience for new solutions, new educational thinking. Learning and exchanging experiences in education with developed countries is extremely meaningful.

Columbia University (USA) is a typical educational model of Western education, with liberal thinking and personal autonomy, which has achieved many achievements in training people. In the current context, exchanging experiences and learning from each other through scientific activities such as today's discussion is extremely important for managers at all levels and educators.

Thereby, the scientific discussion organized by the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature in collaboration with educators and scientists from Columbia University is an opportunity to learn about the value of East-West education, about history through two typical symbols: the Imperial Academy of Thang Long and Columbia University. Through the discussion, it also contributes to arousing awareness of the role of educational heritage in the formation of national identity, thereby creating connections and cooperation in the current context of globalization.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Historical Science Association shared at the seminar.

At the seminar, delegates, experts and researchers focused on analyzing, comparing and discussing three major groups of topics: The organizational model and educational methods of Quoc Tu Giam and Columbia University - Quoc Tu Giam Thang Long, an education that promotes courtesy, morality, self-cultivation and service to society; teachers play a central role in imparting knowledge and cultivating morality; knowledge is closely linked to community and national responsibility; Columbia University (USA), a liberal education model that promotes critical thinking and personal autonomy; encourages creativity and links knowledge with practice towards global citizens.

At the same time, further discussions were held on the role of Han Nom and literature research in academia and cultural exchange; and on the direction of research cooperation between Vietnamese universities and research institutes with Columbia University.

Discussion space

From the opinions at the seminar, the experts drew out the core values ​​of Eastern and Western educational culture. That is, the East focuses on morality, etiquette, inner cultivation, community spirit and the inheritance of tradition - taking knowledge as the path to perfecting personality and contributing to society. Meanwhile, the West emphasizes individual autonomy, critical thinking, creativity and practical efficiency - knowledge linked to action, aiming for independent and dynamic citizens.

The seminar "East-West Educational and Cultural Heritage" has become an open academic space where traditional heritage is illuminated by the spirit of modern dialogue - contributing to spreading educational, cultural and intellectual values ​​in Vietnam's journey of international integration../.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/lan-toa-gia-tri-giao-duc-van-hoa-va-tri-thuc-trong-hanh-trinh-hoi-nhap-quoc-te-cua-viet-nam-20251103140921209.htm