Stone Stele Records of Royal Examinations of the Le and Mac Dynasties (1442-1779)
Documentary heritage submitted by Viet Nam and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2011.
© Center for Scientific and Cultural activities Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam
Design of Stele of Royal Examinations held in 1604
The 82 stone steles which are preserved at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam historical site record names of the laureates of Royal Examinations of Le and Mac Dynasties were erected between 1484 and 1780 to commemorate the Royal examinations held between 1442 and 1779. Each inscription contains details such as the date, the names and official posts of the inscription compilers, revisers, calligraphers, and engravers. Steles of each historic period are distinct from the others through features such as designs, decorative patterns, tortoise-shaped bases, and the type of Chinese characters used for their inscriptions preserve the stele's originality and prevent attempts to produce replicas. The steles vividly document the 300 years' history of training and recruiting talented individuals in Viet Nam under the Le and Mac dynasties, as well as similar practices outside of Viet Nam.