Education is never just a one-way communication between teachers and students, but is also the process of identifying what is appropriate and correct. The history of Vietnamese education contains a lot of important information about the role of old Confucian scholars and teachers in the process of a student’s academic growth and maturity, especially in the early stages of basic education with only village schools and teachers.
Teachers in ancient education were always respected and loved by students, the people, and society at large. The preference to respect the order of King - Master - Father was not only a cultural trait but was also an important way of life for Vietnamese people of feudal times.
The teacher's duty was not only to teach literature, but also to teach humanity and how to become a person with good morals that cares for others. Teachers also taught customs, rituals, and national historical traditions to rural dwellers; composed and hand-copied orations and documents for village officials; and wrote calligraphy for people to hang in their houses during Lunar New Year and other holidays.
At the Temple of Literature Night tour, you will not only see the image of an old Master preparing to use ink to create calligraphy works, but also be able to participate in the class yourself and feel what it’s like to become a student who studies days and nights, trying to follow his teacher's footsteps to pass the Imperial Exam.