"History is preserved in stone" – When traditional values ​​are "retold" in contemporary language.

On February 6th, at the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám National Special Monument, the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám Cultural and Scientific Activities Center held the opening ceremony for the exhibition "History in Stone".

This is a practical activity to celebrate the success of the 14th National Congress of the Party, to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, and to commemorate the 950th anniversary of the founding of Quoc Tu Giam - the first national school.

Director of the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám Cultural and Scientific Activities Center, Le Xuan Kieu, delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám Cultural and Scientific Activities Center, Le Xuan Kieu, affirmed: The system of 82 doctoral steles, currently preserved and promoted at the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giám historical site, is one of the most precious cultural heritages of the Vietnamese nation. Not only are they unique historical artifacts, but these stone steles also contain profound ideas about education , talent, and responsibility towards the nation's destiny.

After a period of research, content development, design, and construction, the "Stone Stele of Recognition" exhibition is officially completed today and ready to introduce to the public the unique historical, ideological, and artistic values ​​of the system of Doctoral Examination Steles. The exhibition is a vivid testament to Hanoi's efforts in promoting heritage values ​​in conjunction with sustainable cultural industry and tourism development, using heritage as a resource, creativity as a driving force, and people as the central focus. Through new approaches, traditional values ​​are "retold" in contemporary language, thereby expanding accessibility for the public, especially the younger generation.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the exhibition.

"At the same time, this activity also contributes to realizing the goal of building Hanoi into a Creative City within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, as well as affirming the role of the Capital as a learning city, where the spirit of studiousness, respect for talent, and lifelong learning is continuously nurtured through many generations," said Mr. Le Xuan Kieu.

The delegates toured the exhibition space.

The exhibition "History inscribed on stone" showcases documents and artifacts derived from the historical, ideological, and artistic values ​​of the 82 steles commemorating doctoral graduates at the Temple of Literature - National University.

The exhibition is structured around four main themes, outlining the landscape of Confucian-style examinations; the principles of selecting, rewarding, and employing successful candidates; and portraying the portraits of several prominent figures who made significant contributions to education and various other fields of the country. Through this exhibition space, visitors can not only discover the documentary value of the inscriptions but also see that each doctoral stele is truly a work of art carved in stone, with many delicate and exquisite details.

The exhibition showcases documents and artifacts derived from the historical, ideological, and artistic values ​​of the 82 Doctoral Examination Stele.

The exhibition space is designed based on an artistic dialogue between two main materials: paper and stone – symbols of the journey from learning and training to honoring and preserving the legacy for posterity. The transition between these two materials reflects the desire of the monarchical dynasties to "immortalize" the veneration of the intellectual elite. Tradition and modernity intertwine as ancient texts are brought to life by projection technology, transforming historical documents into vivid, emotionally rich digital images.

Alongside traditional display methods, digital technology solutions are being applied in exhibitions.

Alongside traditional exhibition formats, digital technology solutions are applied to recreate the space of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, opening up a fresh approach to the history of Vietnamese examinations. Through this, the exhibition contributes to renewing the storytelling of heritage, spreading the spirit of "touching history, exploring heritage," helping the public to more vividly access the contributions of our ancestors to the cause of education and talent development, while also recognizing the enduring values ​​of traditional scholarship in contemporary life.

Furthermore, the exhibition is closely linked to existing exhibits such as "Quoc Tu Giam - The First National School" and "The Origins of Learning," forming a unified whole within the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam heritage site. This allows the public to access, in a systematic and in-depth manner, the history of the site's formation and development, as well as the typical achievements of Vietnam's education system under the monarchy.

The exhibition attracted a large number of visitors.

"The History of Stone Inscriptions" is not merely an exhibition, but a visual and emotional journey, recreating the long and arduous path by which knowledge is cultivated, talent is tested, and the names of wise individuals are inscribed in stone, preserving their legacy through the ages. From the brushstrokes on paper to the inscriptions on stone tablets, the exhibition conveys a timeless message: the tradition of valuing learning and respecting talent is the enduring source that nourishes the vitality of culture and the future of the nation.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/su-da-luu-danh-khi-gia-tri-truyen-thong-duoc-ke-lai-bang-ngon-ngu-duong-dai-20260206183435902.htm