The Bắc Ninh Temple of Literature stands as a testament to the Kinh Bắc region’s rich scholarly tradition. — VNA/VNS Photo

BẮC NINH — Like Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám (Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy) in Hà Nội, the Bắc Ninh Temple of Literature in Bắc Ninh city, stands as a testament to the Kinh Bắc region’s rich scholarly tradition, preserving its academic heritage and inspiring younger generations to value knowledge and talent.

A symbol of Kinh Bắc’s academic tradition

The temple was built during the Early Lê Dynasty in the Thị Cầu area of the former Kinh Bắc region, and relocated to Phúc Sơn Mountain in 1893 under the reign of King Thành Thái. It is dedicated to Confucius and prominent Confucian scholars, while honouring distinguished figures from Bắc Ninh – Kinh Bắc who made significant contributions to the country under Việt Nam’s feudal dynasties.

Following several restorations, the site has developed into an architectural complex comprising Tam Môn (three-entrance gate), Tiền Tế (front worship hall), Hậu Đường (rear hall), Tả Vu (left pavilion), Hữu Vu (right pavilion) and Tào Soạn house, surrounded by a spacious garden with lush greenery.

Nguyễn Hữu Chiến of the municipal relic management board, said the temple’s most notable feature is a collection of 12 stone steles entitled Kim Bảng Lưu Phương (The Golden List Preserves Fame), erected in 1889 under the reign of King Thành Thái by education mandarin Đỗ Trọng Vĩ.

The steles record the full names, hometowns, examination years, academic degrees, and positions of successful candidates in the highest-level royal examinations from Kinh Bắc across different dynasties. They are valuable historical sources of materials on Việt Nam’s examination system, local education and cultural traditions.

The collection was recognised as a national treasure in 2020, while the temple was classified as a national historical and cultural relic in 1988.

Chiến said the site preserves both tangible heritage and the region’s longstanding respect for learning and teachers. The steles honour outstanding predecessors while encouraging younger generations to pursue knowledge, improve themselves and contribute to society.

Historical records show that nearly 3,000 people attained the highest academic degrees during Việt Nam’s feudal period, of whom 677 came from Bắc Ninh – Kinh Bắc, accounting for almost one-quarter of the total. This figure clearly reflects the tradition of valuing education and talent, which has been nurtured over many centuries.

Passing the traditional fondness for learning on to younger generations

The tradition continues to thrive among younger generations today, whose academic achievements reflect the legacy honoured by the temple’s ancient steles.

School groups, particularly students who have excelled in national and international competitions, regularly visit the site to pay tribute to earlier generations of scholars and learn about their homeland’s academic heritage.

Students learn about history at the Bắc Ninh Temple of Literature. — VNA/VNS Photo

One such example is Nguyễn Hữu Tiến Hưng, a former student of Bắc Ninh High School for the Gifted, who won a gold medal at the 2024 International Chemistry Olympiad with the highest score among members of Việt Nam’s team.

Hưng recalled that before major examinations, students and teachers often visited the temple to pay tribute to distinguished scholars. The names engraved on the steles helped him better appreciate the region’s learning tradition and understand his responsibility to uphold it through academic efforts and personal development.

Beyond its historical significance, the temple now serves as a venue for educational activities organised by agencies, schools, families and mass organisations. Incense-offering ceremonies, achievement-reporting events and scholarship presentations help connect historical traditions with contemporary education, fostering pride and a sense of responsibility among young people.

Nguyễn Văn Luyến, Deputy Director of the municipal relic management board, said the board has assigned staff to work regularly at the site to assist visitors and preserve the heritage.

The city is also incorporating the temple into cultural, educational and tourism activities. In 2025, the inauguration of the President Hồ Chí Minh Temple and the implementation of a project to build technical infrastructure and auxiliary facilities for the Bắc Ninh Temple of Literature Park helped expand the cultural space and improve the site's landscape and visitor appeal.

Through these activities, the temple has become an important venue for educating the public about the traditions of learning, patriotism, and revolutionary commitment, encouraging generations of Bắc Ninh residents to study, work and contribute to local development. — VNA/VNS