Quoc Tu Giam: The history of Vietnam's first national university

Established in 1076 under King Ly Nhan Tong in the capital of Thang Long, Quoc Tu Giam served as Vietnam's first national university. Located adjacent to the Temple of Literature, the institution played a vital role in training, selecting, and nurturing talented individuals to serve the country across multiple dynasties, including the Ly, Tran, and Le eras.

During the Tran dynasty, the institution expanded its reach. In 1253, King Tran Thai Tong renamed it Quoc Hoc Vien, allowing the children of commoners with exceptional academic abilities to enroll, moving beyond its initial focus on royalty and nobility.

The school is associated with several prominent historical figures. Chu Van An (1292–1370), a highly respected educator, served as the head of Quoc Tu Giam under King Tran Minh Tong, where he taught princes and emphasized moral integrity. Other notable figures include the historian Ngo Si Lien, who laid the foundations for Vietnamese national history.