Quoc Tu Giam: Ancient Palace of Literature in Vietnam
In this series on ancient universities we now go to Hanoi in Vietnam to visit the Palace of Literature. Just the name makes it sound like a paradise for all students and scholars. Quoc Tu Giam was built in 1070 with the intention to provide a learning centre for the elite on the teachings of Confucius.
A period of Chinese occupation had just come to an end after lasting almost one thousand years and the building of the Palace of Literature was an expression of national identity and pride. It continued as an institute of Confucian teachings for seven hundred years.
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