Photo Exhibition 'From heritage to cultural diplomacy': Connecting Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam with international friends
WVR - On the afternoon of November 11, on the occasion of the 950th anniversary of the establishment of Quoc Tu Giam (1076-2026), at the special national relic Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Hanoi), the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in collaboration with the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam organized the opening of the photo exhibition "From Heritage to Cultural Diplomacy", showcasing over 60 valuable documentary photos, recreating the journey of preserving and promoting heritage values through different periods.
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| The delegates attending the Photo Exhibition “From Heritage to Cultural Diplomacy”. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van; Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong; Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong; Head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker, along with representatives from central ministries, departments, Hanoi city, leaders of VNA and the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam.
The exhibition selects over 60 works from the photo archives of VNA, taking viewers on a journey through Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam via historical frames, cultural, educational activities, and notable diplomatic events. Through this, the exhibition honors the value of a unique cultural heritage while affirming the role of photographic documentation in preserving national memory and promoting Vietnam's image to the world.
Historical frames
In her opening speech, Ms. Vu Viet Trang, General Director of VNA, Secretary of the Party Committee of VNA, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Publicity, emphasised: “The exhibition 'From Heritage to Cultural Diplomacy' tells the story of a heritage preserved, continued, and spread across generations. From the first national university to a destination in diplomatic activities, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam continues to affirm its position as a symbol of Vietnamese culture, connecting tradition with the present and Vietnam with the world.”
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| Ms. Vu Viet Trang, General Director of VNA, Secretary of the Party Committee of VNA, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Publicity, and Head of the UNESCO Office in Vietnam Jonathan Wallace Baker. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
One of the highlights of the exhibition is the photos capturing the appearance of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam over the decades. Images of Khue Van Cac in 1960, the gate of Van Mieu in 1967, the Doctor's Stelae garden in 1979, and the Bai Duong courtyard in 1990 create valuable documentary slices of the process of existence, preservation, and promotion of the relic's value.
Alongside these historical frames are images of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam today, with its appearance preserved, restored, and enriched with various cultural and educational activities. This continuity allows the public to better appreciate the vitality of the heritage in contemporary life, as well as the efforts to bring historical and cultural values closer to the community.
The exhibition also introduces cultural, artistic, and educational activities at the site, such as spring festivals, folk games, calligraphy at the beginning of the year, traditional art performances, honoring young talents, and heritage education programs for students.
These images show that Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is not only a place preserving historical imprints but also a vibrant cultural space where the tradition of valuing education and respecting teachers continues to be nurtured and passed on to future generations. Diversifying experiential activities and heritage education also contributes to refreshing the approach, increasing the youth's attachment to national heritage.
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| Ms. Vu Viet Trang delivering the opening speech of the exhibition. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Van Mieu was built in 1070, and Quoc Tu Giam was established in 1076 as Vietnam's first national university, training many generations of talents for the country's construction and defense.
In the history of educational examinations, the court organized 183 major examinations, producing 2,898 doctors and associate doctors. Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam thus became a prominent symbol of the nation's tradition of valuing education, respecting teachers, and utilizing talents.
Notably, the system of 82 Doctor's Stelae at the site has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage, affirming the historical, cultural, and educational values that extend beyond national boundaries.
Heritage – A bridge for cultural diplomacy
An important aspect of the exhibition is the moments captured of heads of state and international politicians visiting Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam during official visits to Vietnam.
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| The scholarly space, ancient architecture, and traditional values of the site offer international guests a deeper understanding of Vietnam's history, culture, and people. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Notable images include the visit of U.S. President Bill Clinton in 2000; Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin in 2001; General Secretary, President of China Hu Jintao in 2005; Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan in 2017; German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse in 2024; General Secretary To Lam and his spouse along with French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse in 2025...
Through these documentary-rich frames, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam emerges as a culturally significant destination in high-level diplomatic activities. The scholarly space, ancient architecture, and traditional values of the site offer international guests a deeper understanding of Vietnam's history, culture, and people.
From these meetings and experiences at the heritage site, cultural values become materials that contribute to enhancing understanding, goodwill, and connection between Vietnam and other countries and peoples. This also demonstrates the role of heritage in cultural diplomacy, where values preserved over generations can become a common language in international exchanges and dialogues.
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| The exhibition lasts during the 950th anniversary of the establishment of Quoc Tu Giam. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
For VNA, introducing photographic documents accumulated over many periods also helps to enhance the value of the news agency's archives, allowing the public to access history through vivid, evocative images. Each photo not only captures a moment or event but also preserves the imprints of the heritage's development and the country's diplomatic activities.
The exhibition “From Heritage to Cultural Diplomacy”, held during the 950th anniversary of the establishment of Quoc Tu Giam, is an opportunity for the public to reflect on the enduring values of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, while also recognizing the potential of heritage in cultural promotion and international exchange.
