A Confucian scholar visits the Temple of Literature in Hà Nội in the early 20th century

In addition to developing the culture of Việt Nam, the Confucian education system also focused on moral education. Students were taught Confucian tenets, such as self-improvement, household management, national governance, and world peace.  Morality was also to be maintained in the form of polite and rational relationships with inferiors and superiors alike. School promotions were based on the ability to learn and apply these principles to daily life.

Furthermore, the traditional education system has contributed many beautiful traditions, practices and customs to Vietnamese culture. For example, it established in society a fondness and respect for learning and emphasized the value of education. In addition, teachers were given great respect, alongside patriots who had contributed to fight for national independence and freedom. This norm is known as “venerating the teacher and respecting morals.”

Quốc Tử Giám (The Temple of Literature) in Hà Nội was one of the first nationally-famous universities of the feudal era. It attracted many students from the families of royalty and high government officials. From the 15^th to the 18^th centuries, many secondary schools specialized in training students for the Quốc Tử Giám entrance exam. At the same time, many other private schools also offered opportunities for study and higher learning.

Moreover, many rich families invited teachers to their homes in order to teach their children. Most teachers had high titles, but did not become government officials. Either they wanted to remain in their hometown in order to work with children, or they had failed the mandarin examinations, despite their wisdom. For example, during the Nguyễn Dynasty (1822-1919), a series of Confucian scholars resigned from the government in order to return home and open schools. Among them were Nguyễn Văn Siêu, Vũ Tông Phan, and Nguyễn Văn Lý.

A classroom in the old days

Teachers often taught morality and traditional customs first, even before teaching basic skills such as reading and writing. Other lectures discussed the structure and morality of the state, the king, the administration, and the family. Teachers did not charge fees; rather, wealthier families from the village would pay teachers’ salaries. Parents would also give presents to the teacher on special holidays, particularly during the Lunar New Year (Tết). During the rule of Emperor Minh Mạng (1820-1840), the government even took money from other government ministries to finance teachers’ salaries.

Some villages in the suburbs of Thăng Long-Hà Nội, which had many students who succeeded in passing the Confucian exams, would even use local taxes to pay for village teachers. Furthermore, fresh doctoral laureates (tiến sĩ) of such exams new doctors of philosophy (PhDs) would receive a special welcoming ceremony on their return home. This ceremony was also meant to pay homage to ancestors. The Tiến sĩ would be brought into town on a hammock before all others, and his teacher would follow him on the second hammock as a honorable position.

The last Confucian examinations were held in 1919. After that, Confucian schools, teaching, and studying methods were abolished, but the tradition of honoring teachers and respecting education has remained a strong moral code in Việt Nam.