On November 6, at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, the French Institute in Hanoi, in coordination with the Cultural and Scientific Activities Center of the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, officially opened the exhibition “The Provincial Examination of the Late 19th Century” as part of the Photo Hanoi ’25 program.
The exhibition offers the public an opportunity to view a compelling collection of photographs, providing a vivid perspective on Vietnam’s Confucian examination system in the late 19th century at the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, the country’s first national academy and the cradle of Vietnam’s scholarly tradition.
The exhibition also brings a sense of novelty and excitement, as it is the first time an exhibition has been displayed outside the perimeter of the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam site, allowing the public to access these valuable photographs more closely.
Director of the Cultural and Scientific Activities Center of the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam speaks at the opening ceremony.
“I hope this exhibition will serve as an inspiration, nurturing an appreciation for the value of learning and connecting the hallmark virtues of Vietnam’s Confucian tradition, respect for learning, reverence for teachers, and the recognition of talent, with UNESCO’s four pillars of education: learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to live together,” emphasized Le Xuan Kieu at the opening ceremony.
Eric Soulier, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, visits the exhibition.
Eric Soulier, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy and Director of the French Institute in Vietnam, noted that the exhibition, running along the grounds of the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, serves as a powerful symbol of the intersection between place and the Photo Hanoi ’25 exhibitions. The works are displayed in a bamboo structure inspired by the architecture of historic examination halls, set along the walls of the Temple of Literature, a symbol of Confucianism and a historic cultural monument of the ancient capital Thang Long.
“Beyond highlighting this rare photographic collection, the exhibition raises questions about the role of photography in shaping our perception of history, while shedding light on the visual and educational practices of the feudal era,” Eric Soulier remarked.
Firmin-André Salles (1860-1929) was a French photographer who worked in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1896 to 1898. Using dry plate photography techniques, he captured images of exceptional sharpness and detail, offering vivid insights into daily life, landscapes, and cultural events in Vietnam at the end of the 19th century.
Visitors at the exhibition.
The exhibition “The Provincial Examination of the Late 19th Century” presents photographs by André Salles documenting the 1897 provincial examination in Nam Dinh, displayed in a distinctive bamboo space inspired by the original architecture of historical examination sites.
The provincial examination was a core component of the Confucian examination system. The Dinh Dau Examination of 1897 took place at a time when Confucianism was gradually declining and being replaced by the use of the Romanized Vietnamese script. The exhibited photographs are rare surviving documents, authentically conveying the solemn yet vibrant atmosphere of the examination grounds of the past.
Beyond showcasing a valuable photographic archive, the exhibition encourages dialogue on the role of photography in historical perception and aims to provide the public with useful insights into feudal-era photographic techniques.
To further enrich the exhibition, the organizers collaborated with local cultural experts to refine perspectives on the provincial examination and the figures depicted in the photographs. In addition to presenting rare images, the exhibition fosters discussion on photography’s role in historical understanding and offers educational insights into photographic techniques and the feudal education and examination system.
The exhibition “The Provincial Examination of the Late 19th Century” runs through November 30, 2025.
Minh Anh