Nguyen Truc identified as first scholar on Van Mieu stelae

Nguyen Truc, a scholar from Thanh Oai, Hanoi, is identified as the first person whose name is inscribed on the doctoral stelae at the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam). Although the stelae were erected during the reign of Le Thanh Tong, the names recorded include scholars from earlier periods.

Nguyen Truc achieved the rank of Trạng nguyên (first place) in the Nhâm Tuất imperial examination of 1442 under King Le Thai Tong. This was the first official doctoral examination of the Early Le dynasty. The examination produced 33 successful candidates, including notable figures such as historian Ngo Si Lien.

The examination process was overseen by the cultural figure Nguyen Trai. The stelae, which feature names and hometowns of intellectuals across various dynasties, serve as symbols of Vietnam's tradition of academic excellence and talent recognition.