Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam unveils new map and brochure for visitors
WVR - The new guiding tools were launched to commemorate the 950th anniversary of Quoc Tu Giam (1076-2026), enhancing visitor experiences and paving the way for collaboration in research, digitization, and heritage value promotion.
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On November 3, the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities, in collaboration with the French Embassy, the French Institute in Vietnam, and Hanoi University of Architecture, held a ceremony to unveil a new map and brochure at the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam Special National Monument.
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| Delegates attending the event. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Additional tools for exploring heritage space
Spanning over 54,000 m², Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam boasts multiple layers of historical space, architecture, and culturally and educationally significant structures. The development of these visual guiding tools is expected to assist visitors in navigating, choosing routes, and exploring each aspect of the monument.
The new comprehensive map introduces the spatial structure, locations of buildings, and main attractions, while the brochure provides an overview of the history, architecture, historical figures, and notable values of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam.
The combination of maps, images, and explanatory content allows the public to access information more intuitively, making their visit more convenient.
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| Delegates at the unveiling ceremony. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
At the ceremony, Pham Xuan Tai, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, emphasized that Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is one of the capital's most significant historical and cultural monuments, symbolizing Vietnam's tradition of valuing education, respecting teachers, and recognizing talent.
According to Pham Xuan Tai, heritage preservation must go hand in hand with helping the public understand and appreciate these values. Therefore, the introduction of the new map and brochure is practically significant, aiding visitors in navigating and exploring the structures while gaining a deeper understanding of the monument's history, architecture, and cultural and educational values.
The leadership of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism also highly appreciated the involvement of Hanoi University of Architecture and French partners.
The project continues the interest in researching Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam by Vietnamese and French scholars, including contributions from researchers at the French School of the Far East since the early 20th century in surveying, researching, and preserving documentation about the monument.
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| The project combines historical research, architecture, and spatial structure of the monument with modern design and heritage interpretation methods. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Expanding Vietnam-France collaboration to enhance heritage value
A notable aspect of the project is the combination of historical research, architecture, and spatial structure of the monument with modern design and heritage interpretation methods.
The team, led by Dr. Architect Nguyen Thai Huyen, a lecturer at Hanoi University of Architecture and recipient of the French Government's Ordre des Palmes Académiques, along with experts, participated in researching and designing the products.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Ngoc Anh, Rector of Hanoi University of Architecture, stated that the project marks the connection between education, scientific research, and professional practice.
Specialized knowledge is applied to a specific heritage site, creating products that are both scientifically based and meet public needs.
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| The project at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is a testament to bringing educational and scientific cooperation results into practical heritage preservation and promotion. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
He also mentioned the nearly 30-year collaboration between Hanoi University of Architecture and French universities, agencies, and partners in training and research.
This collaboration has contributed to training experts, developing specialized knowledge, establishing legal frameworks for urban design, and forming the landscape architecture discipline in Vietnam.
The project at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is a testament to bringing educational and scientific cooperation results into practical heritage preservation and promotion.
On the French side, Éric Soulier, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities at the French Embassy in Vietnam and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, expressed appreciation for the 950-year-old monument and its preservation journey through generations.
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| Éric Soulier, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities at the French Embassy in Vietnam, speaking at the event. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
He assessed this as the result of long-term research, carried out with the dedication and passion of professionals.
According to him, in a rapidly changing world, heritage research may sometimes be seen as having limited applicability, but the results, such as today's map and brochure, are practically significant for introducing, exploiting, and promoting the monument's value.
Éric Soulier also emphasized that Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is not only an attractive tourist destination in Hanoi but also a knowledge space where researchers continue to explore the Doctoral Steles and preserved historical values.
He expressed his desire for continued cooperation between French and Vietnamese partners, contributing to the research and preservation journey of the monument's memory.
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| Éric Soulier and delegates experiencing the new map at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Towards digitization and connecting heritage journeys
From initial results, the parties aim to expand cooperation in research, collection, and building a multilingual digital documentation platform about Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam.
The platform is expected to systematize historical documents, inscriptions, plaques, couplets, royal decrees, and archives related to the history of education and Confucian examinations in Vietnam, with a focus on exploiting French-language sources.
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| These initiatives hold special significance during the 950th anniversary of Quoc Tu Giam's founding, while also looking towards the 1,000-year milestone in 2076. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
The integration of scientific documentation with interactive maps, QR codes, and digital explanatory tools will expand access to heritage, serving research, education, and tourism needs.
Additionally, the orientation to build thematic exploration journeys, connecting Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam with the network of Van Mieu, Van Chi, and exemplary scholarly villages nationwide, is also set forth.
These initiatives hold special significance during the 950th anniversary of Quoc Tu Giam's founding, while also looking towards the 1,000-year milestone in 2076.
From specific heritage introduction tools, the connection of scientific research, education, and technology application is expected to create a foundation for preserving and promoting the historical, cultural, and educational values of Vietnam for future generations.
