Education in Dong Anh district - tradition and modernity = Giáo dục Đông Anh - Truyền thống và hiện đại

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
INSTITUTE OF VIETNAMESE STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT SCIENCES



VU THI NHU QUYNH


EDUCATION IN DONG ANH DISTRICT -
TRADITION AND MODERNITY

Master thesis of Vietnamese Studies
Code : 60 31 60


Thesis supervisor:
ASSOC.PROF TRAN NGOC VUONG


HANOI – 2012





GUARANTEE

I undersigned Vu Thi Nhu Quynh would like to guarantee that this
thesis is my individual research under the scientific guidance and

supervision of Associated Professor Dr. Tran Ngoc Vuong. I would like
also to guarantee that all data and result in my research are honest and
not identical with any research before. The information in my research
was cited clearly with due source.

Graduate Student
Vu Thi Nhu Quynh



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am very grateful to Associate Professor. Dr. Tran Ngoc Vuong for his
supervision, helping and guiding during my research.
I would like to express my thanks to Institute of Vietnamese studies and
Development Sciences, we had good time, discussing, exchanging helpful
knowledge.
I’m also very grateful to teachers, parents, students and other people in
Dong Anh district for their helping and facilitate.
Finally, I would like to send a big thank to my family and friends for
their support and encouragement.

Hanoi, November, 2012
Graduate Student
Vu Thi Nhu Quynh



1
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 6
1. Rationale 6
2. Brief of related previous researches 7
3. Objectives and tasks 11
4. Objects of the research 12
5. Scope of the research 12
6. Research methodology 12
7. The findings of the thesis 13
8. Structure of the thesis 13
CONTENT 14
Chapter 1: OVERVIEW OF DONG ANH DISTRICT AND ITS
EDUCATION 14
1.1. Overview of Dong Anh district 14
1.1.1. Geography and history in Dong Anh 14
1.1.2. Economy in Dong Anh 19
1.1.3. Cultures in Dong Anh 21
1.2. Draft about education roadmap in Dong Anh Ha Noi 24
1.2.1. Traditional education 25
1.2.2. Modern education 26
Chapter 2: THE TRADITIONAL EDUCATION IN DONG ANH 29
2.1. Overview of traditional education in Dong Anh 29
2.1.1. Teacher – learner 29
2.1.2. Schooling systems and management 33
2.1.3. Learning content and examination 36
2.2. Achievements of traditional education 39
2.2.1. Many people in Dong Anh passed the national examinations 39
2.2.2. Many families, villages of court system of competition –
examinations in Dong Anh 42

2
2.2.3. Graduates who had many contributions to the society 49
2.3. Traditional education affects much on the life 51
2.3.1. Traditional respect for teacher and study 51
2.3.2. Ancestor worship tradition 53
2.3.3. Marks in the cultural works 54
Chapter 3: THE MODERN EDUCATION IN DONG ANH 58
3.1. Some changes in modern education in Dong Anh 58
3.1.1. Teacher – learner 58
3.1.2. Schooling system and management 64
3.1.3. Learning content and examination 67
3.2. Achievements in the modern education 72
3.2.1. Kindergartens 72
3.2.2. Primary school 73
3.2.3. Secondary school 74
3.2.4. High school 75
3.2.5. Vocational training schools 76
3.3. Some existing issues 77
3.3.1. Career orientation depends on university examination results 78
3.3.2. Extra lessons 81
3.3.3. Violence at school 84
3.4. Some recommendations 84
3.4.1. New context for education 84
3.4.2. Recommendations for education in Dong Anh 85
CONCLUSION 91
REFERENTIAL LIST 93
APPENDIX 98

INTRODUCTION

1. Rationale
Education is one of the most meaningful activities for the
development of each country. The old people say, “For the benefits
for 10 years, it is required to educate people”. Such short saying
reminds the future generation about the importance of education for
the decadence and prosperity of each country. A PhD in Le Dynasty
said that “Talented and righteous are the life-sustaining element of the
nation. The country is strong and wealthy only when the life-
sustaining element is prosperous. On the contrary, the country is weak
and humble when the life-sustaining element is decadent. Therefore,
the kings always consider the education of talent, selection of scholar
and education and nourishment of nation’s life-sustaining element
necessary”. The old people appreciate the education in such way.
Nowadays, in the context of global integration, the education is
increasingly pressing.
In addition to the achievements that are prided, the current
education in our country remains many disadvantages such as
overloaded program, examination pressure, lots of extra lessons,
school violence, negative teaching and education methodologies, etc.
Before such challenges, it is required to research from the generation
of traditional times to the current moment to see the process. It also
needs the comparison to see the changes. Therefore, it can be seen
some issues in the current time. This is the key to find out the solution
for the new education and the basis for the current education review.
Education is not only meaningful for the development but also
influential to the nation culture and leaves a remark on the cultural
elements. Dong Anh district located in the north and separated from

Ha Noi by Hong River is rich in culture of traditional works, relics,
traditional arts and unique foods. Saying about Dong Anh means
mention about the land, which was twice capital location from An
Duong Vuong dynasty to Ngo Quyen. Dong Anh is also the place
closely linked with Thang Long Ha Noi in all historical phases from
the days against Northern invader to two wars against French and
American and current modernization phase. With such features, the
research about Dong Anh, especially the inter-industry researches
about education contributes to the traditional culture treasures of
Thang Long land that is very rich in the historical thousands of years,
at the same time, gives us an additional feature to recognize Dong
Anh in the district system in Thang Long, Ha Noi.
Viet Nam Studies enable the favorable conditions for the
researcher to get access to the inter-industry issues at a specific
location that is suitable for clarification of education in Dong Anh.
Therefore, the writer selects the topic: “Education in Dong Anh
district – Tradition and modernity”.
2. Brief of related previous researches
There are many studies about Confucianism in Thang Long via
Confucian issues in Dong Anh; however, there is no specialized study
about education activities in Dong Anh. There is no work about tokens
of educational activities under the view of comparison of past and
present. Almost works describe education in Dong Anh under the
manner of studying the educational achievements in village and
communes’ scope or historical phase. Dong Anh with Thang Long
Ha Noi Thousands of years is the giant book in the book library
about Thang Long Ha Noi thousands of years executed by Dong Anh
district party committee – people’s council – people’s committee and
historical researchers. The book introduces the overview about
traditions of culture, history and revolution in Dong Anh District for

more than two thousand years in the nation foundation and defense. It
is calculated since the dynasties of Hung King, nearly one thousand
years under Northern invader, feudal dynasties and two wars against
French and American and years of comprehensive changes from the
innovation starting from VI Party Congress. The Confucianism
education in Dong Anh is described lively, detailed and
comprehensively in Part I – Chapter 3 of this book. The book lists out
the number of persons passing as per the duration, hometown, profile
and merits of people passing the pre-court competition examination.
The writer states the villages, families of system of competition-
examinations in Dong Anh clearly with the accurate evidences. This
writing can be seen as the systematic part about education in Dong
Anh district based on the book Education about Confucianism
system of former competition – examinations Thang Long Ha Noi of
Bui Xuan Dinh. However, the writer pays much attention to listing out
the figures without analysis of such figures. The modern education in
Dong Anh has not been rolled out similarly to the part about
Confucianism tradition that makes the reader not have the general
view about education in Dong Anh from the tradition to the modern
aspect.
The study about Viet Nam education for long phases after the
year of 1917 – present, many works indicates the features,
achievements of new education as per each historical period. Some
works can be listed out such as Viet Nam Education in contemporary
period of Phan Trong Bau, Viet Nam Education at the threshold of
XXI century of Pham Minh Hac, Viet Nam Education History before
September 1945 Revolution of Nguyen Dang Tien, Viet Nam
Education History of Bui Minh Hien. As per this study tendency,
there is no work about the periods and achievements about education
in Dong Anh District.

The history shows that many works get access and clarify the
content of learning and examination of Confucianism of former
students in Thang Long in general and Dong Anh in particular. Many
other works summarize the new education achievements from the year
of 1917 to present. However, the tendency about comparing the
educational activities in the past and present to see the changes is still
new and required to be explored in the incoming duration. From such
changes, we can obtain the explanations for some existing issues in
the current education. On such basis, it is possible to suggest some
proposals. This urges the writer to further find out to build up more
knowledge and complete the thesis topic “Education in Dong Anh
district – Tradition and modernity”.
3. Objectives and tasks
Through this study, the writer wants to have an overview about
education in Dong Anh from the past to the present, especially the
changes in the education activities in Dong Anh – Ha Noi via two
typical phases: before the year 1917 and after the year 2000 to now.
From the changes in the education activities, the researcher identifies
some existing issues in current education and suggests some proposals
for building up a modernization education in Dong Anh in particular
and in Viet nam in general.
4. Objects of the research
Objects of the research are the educational activities in Dong Anh
district in two phases:
- Before the year 1917: traditional training phase
- From the year 1917 to present: modern education phase
In the year of 1917 when the French issues the system of
education about general rules, the modern education was established
with the new features about program, schools, classes, management
system, organization and regulations about teacher and learner.

5. The findings of the thesis
With the topic “Education in Dong Anh district – Tradition and
modernity”, the writer wants to have a detailed view about each aspect
in the education in Dong Anh and see the impacts from such changes
on achievements and limitations of education in Dong Anh and its
impacts on the cultural life of Dong Anh people.

CONTENT
Chapter 1: GENERAL OVER VIEW ABOUT DONG ANH
AND ITS EDUCATION

1.1. Overview about Dong Anh District
Basing on the establishment process of Dong Anh District since
the year of 1876, it can be seen that Dong Anh is master planned
mainly from Dong Ngan, Tu Son District of Bac Ninh Province and a
part of Yen Lang District of Son Tay Province. Therefore, it can be
seen that Dong Anh is the cultural junction of Kinh bac and former
Doai – that is the ancient land rich in the tradition, culture and
especially the studious tradition.
Near the capital Thang Long, Tu Son has been very famous for
the place with hundreds of industries and people always hardworking
and eager to learn. According to the book Bac Ninh Geography book
of Mr. Do Trong Vinh and Court Charter Book of Mr. Phan Huy
Chu, “In Tu Son district, in the old days, Dong Ngan has been the
place famous for the culture ever”. Compared to the number of people
passing the Pre-court competition-examinations, here is the place that
always stands the top list. In a family and clan, the member takes part
in the competition in series and brings the glory to the village. The
saying “The fool in Dong Ngan is better than the good one in the
world” has been handed down in order to appreciate the tradition of

pre-court competition examinations herein. There are many other
things through generations about the person passing with the pride.
The names connected with many glories such as Hoang Giap Duong,
Van Dan, Tham Hoa Vuong Khac Thuat, hoang Giap Nguyen Tu
Gian, etc shall be always the encouragement for the later generations.
However, there are not so many achievements about pre-court
competition examinations as in Dong Ngan, the historian Mr. Phan Huy
Chu appreciates Yen Lang District of Son Tay province like the famous
place in Doai area – it is one of the rare areas for good geography and
talented people and put into the immortal literature. Many sages of
Thang Long were born here such as Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung.
Especially, the legends, folk mythology about Tan Mountain, Da River
with Tan Vien ruler ranking the lead, famous geographic name such as
Van Phuc Silk Area, La Khe, Nhi Khe Wood, Chang Wood handicraft
village, etc have increasingly made this area have more supernatural
power. Despite being a small part of Doai area, Yen Lang brings the
supernatural value for this area.
Therefore, it can be seen that being located in the junction of two
areas Doai – Bac, Dong Anh is a part of Thang Long – Ha Noi with
many cultural features of Doai Area impacted from Thang Long
culture and vice versa. The cultural quintessence’s Kinh Bac have
made Thang Long more diverse. From this centre, Kinh Bac has
received many unique values. The long lasting cultures have been
adhered and created the traditions for Dong Anh area. One of such
precious traditions is the studious. In general, in the feudal period,
Dong Anh has 56 Confucianism PhD, hundreds of interprovincial
competition examination persons, bachelors, high school graduate,
etc. They are the people who devote all their talent and souls to serve
the country and they are respected, worshiped, and praised in the
history. Moving to the modern period, Dong Anh has made many

contributions to the country with two greatest writers including Mr.
Ngo Tat To, Mr. Nguyen Huy Tuong and many other scholars.
The economy in Dong Anh District has been developed and
brought about series of positive changes in life. The investment in
education is also enhanced better. The school system in Dong Anh is
increasingly spacious. The education support equipments are
becoming more adverse. There are more scholarships sponsored by
the enterprises and given for the excellent pupils and poor pupils with
outstanding results.
The industrial zone network in Dong Anh becomes denser, which
creates the favorable conditions for the people to resolve the working
demands but also helps the pupils, especially the ones in the last year
of high school reduce the examination pressure. With many job
chances in the locality, the pressure about university has been reduced.
On the other hand, the witness for the country change day by day
is also the motivation for the pupil to learn harder to continue the
promotion of achievements that have been inherited from the
ancestors and enhancement of what the former people has not been
done to make the country richer and richer.
Each person born in Dong Anh has their own pride about the
cultural tradition of their hometown. In the in-depth interview of the
writer with a retired teacher, she said, “The traditions of ancestors
have been imbued with the blood and muscle of Dong Anh People.
Therefore, we always make our utmost in promoting such traditions in
any trading activities”. The writer Mr. To Hoai told about some visits
to hometown of the writer Mr. Nguyen Huy Tuong – a person born in
Dong Anh: “Usually, on days near Tet Holiday or in February, March,
when the customs and sights carry the spring atmosphere in the suburb
villages, I often invites my friends to visit Duc Tu. Any time going,
we choose to visit Co Loa. Mr. Nguyen Huy Tuong knows clearly

about Co Loa. He told me that we should pay much attention on
seeing how and what Co Loa is, etc and how to see the whole area of
former Phong Khe and Kinh Bac” [4, page 20]. Mr. Nguyen Huy
Tuong studies about origin of village name in the historical books and
legend. On each writing, it can be seen the image of magnificent
citadel and pride about Dong Anh hometown.
Therefore, it can be seen that no matter great writer or normal
people, any one born in Dong Anh has the pride and respect about the
tradition and such thing urges them to learn, enrich the traditions
better and better.
1.2. Draft about education roadmap in Dong Anh Ha Noi
Dong Anh people always pride about their learning and
examination passing tradition. The education rich in good
performances from establishment date to now has passed through
many phases. Each phase is linked with the ups and downs of nation
history.
1.2.1. Traditional training
In the scope of writing study, the writer uses the concept about
traditional training, which means the tradition about learning, and
examination passing according to Confucianism.
The Vietnamese do not create the Confucianism. It is propaganda
into our country since the northern invader and dominated by many
official governments. However, from the appearance in Viet Nam to
currently, the Confucianism has become a part of Vietnamese culture
look and has big impact on other cultural elements. Dong Anh people
had paid much attention in learning since Ngo Quyen period. At that
time, the monarch opened the national school at Mach Trang hamlet
[24, Page 540]. Thu Cuu hamlet has the book achieve where keeps
many books and documents since An Duong Vuong period [24, page
547]. Therefore, the writer of Geographic Book emphasizes that

“central nature” of Co Loa via many periods allows to confirm that
Dong Anh is the education centre of nation even though in An Duong
Vuong or Ngo Quyen period, the education has not been like as later”
[24, page 465].
Therefore, it can be seen that in An Duong Vuong or Ngo Quyen
period, Dong Anh has had the book house store – the first units for
later education. However, in order to have the fact that the education
with the official thinking system, the learner and teacher become a
force in society, the school is built up into the system, it happens only
when in the year of 1075, when Ly Monarch opened the first
examination to select the talent. During about 10 centuries, calculated
from the examination in the year of 1075 to the final one in the year
1919, the Viet Nam dynasties opened 184 examinations and selected
nearly 300 PhD. According to the statistic, list of this book, in any
dynasty, Dong Anh always the participants involved in the
examination and passed the examination. The villages of competition
examinations, family with participants in passing the examination in
Dong Anh have been recorded in the roll of honor and be the pride for
Dong Anh people. It can be said that the achievements at those
periods have come along and nourished the determinations and
willingness of learning for many Dong Anh generations later.
1.2.2. Modern Education
In the scope of study, the writer uses the concept of modern
education that means aimed at the education activities since the
French established the new education in Viet Nam.
On December 21, 1917, Indochinese governor –General Mr.
Albert Sarraut signed the decree of issuance ”education service
general rules” that stated the general regulation throughout Indochina.
It is also the foundation for building up the new education in
replacement of Confucianism. At the same milestone, the education in

Dong Anh also transferred to a new aspect. Although the changes are
not seen clearly as in big cities, Dong Anh people under the French
domination were not able to learn much. Only some families that have
enough conditions to afford their children to go to to western school in
Ha Noi. That is also the first time the pupils in Dong Anh have known
the classes with chairs, tables, white chalk, black board, library room,
laboratory, etc. and some new concepts related in the schoolings such
as school age limit, certificate of birth, schooling record, teaching and
learning tools, etc. The schoolbooks, reference documents and
teaching books gradually replace the classic Confucianism book.

Chapter 2: THE TRADITIONAL EDUCATION IN DONG ANH

2.1. General overview about traditional education in Dong Anh
2.1.1. Teacher – learner
The former teacher in Dong Anh is respected by the whole
villagers but very closed because they come from the poor labor force.
The teacher has the certain qualifications such as passing the test,
scholar examination and not has the conditions to further learn or still
take bachelor examination but not pass. Therefore, they have to pursue
the work as Confucian scholar for earnings. However, the teacher is
also the one highly ranked in the completion and got the degree,
becoming mandarin or bored with being as mandarin or after some
times of examinations and dislike the competition, they decides to open
the class at home to teach their descendants and pupils living
surroundings. The teacher is always male.
Dong Anh people still remember and propagandas many legends
about the Confucian scholar of Nguyen Family in Van Diem, Chu
Family in Duc Tu, Ngo Family in Lai Da, etc. The book Dong Ngan
Duc Tu Traditions states that before Chu Nguyen Mai, another name

as Chu Doan Le passed the PhD in the completion - examination with
title Canh Hung, he is the pupil of the scholar of Nguyen family in
Van Diem. Mr. Ngo Quy Doan (1877 - 1956), person of Lai Da
village, Hoi Phu Commune passes the scholar examination in the 13th
year Thanh Thai but decide to teach at home and participate in the
literate movement against the French domination instead of being the
mandarin. “Being the high morality, respect and intense knowledge,
he opened the class at hometown for nearly half of centuries. Many
family generations from the ancestors to descendants took part in his
class. His words are still remained on the parallel sentences in the
pagodas, communal house, and temple in Lai Da and other shrines”
[27, page 72]. The book Lai Da in the past and present written by
Mr. Nguyen Phu Son states that the teachers in former Dong Anh: “In
additional to the mandarins, there remains many people with intense
knowledge but unlucky in examination. According to the previous
concept, “examination passing means high post but examination
failure means being Confucian teacher, etc however, the majority is
the Confucian scholars. Many villages invite the scholar to teach at the
village so that their descendants have chance to be literate”. [27, page
73].
The former folk verse often reminds the learning like “without
learning when being little means unable to be educated person when
grown up”, “only when having literacy can you grow up to be good
person”. However, considering the Confucianism is the official
thinking system, the traditional education defaults the concept of male
respect and female under-respect that is the typical feature of the
Confucianism. Therefore, the Confucian learners always are boys or
male teenagers.
Thanks to teacher’s teaching, the leaner can pass the examination
to be the mandarin, have the social post, prosperous life and bring the

honor for their family and their hometown. Therefore, in the behavior
treatment, the former learner is not only respective and humble with
their teacher but also responsible and in charge of high assignment.
When going out and meeting their teacher, the leaner has to take off
their hat to greet the teacher politely. When the teacher is weak or pass
by, their learners have to take care of funeral, worship fall building. If
the teacher has not the successor, the leader has to be in charge of
caring all related matters. Each year when the death anniversary
comes, the learners have to make the offerings. On the holiday and
Tet, they bring the presents to the worship hall to express their thanks
to the teacher. It can be said that the relationship between the teacher
and learner in the former school reflects the feudal rule of conduct but
still the origin of sprit “respect the teacher” - one of the precious and
holy human culture that the former people leave for the descendants.
2.1.2. Schooling systems and management
In the traditional education, Dong Anh has no public school. The
learning happens at the private classroom of scholar in the village.
According to professor Mr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc in the Co Loa
Geography Book, in the feudal period, Co Loa “has no public school
at village level, but for sure, the private classes with seven to ten
pupils are opened in many places. Those are the first education units
so that few of that come to the examination passing”. The schools
majorly are at scholar’s house or at temple, pagoda or communal
house. The pupils can learn at the Confucian scholar’s class or invite
the scholar to teach at home, feed the teacher so that he can teach their
kids. For the surrounding families, the pupils can learn at the common
classes unless getting the acceptance. The learners want to take part in
the examination; they are required to learn for about 10 years. The
former people often say “a decade of learning” means that. The pupils
learning for 5 or 6 years should follow the study with the scholars. If

better, they are required to come to the school at provincial level
taught by the district education officer. For the village school, if the
scholar can teach well, the pupils do not need to the provincial
schools. Dong Anh is the place for systems of competition –
examinations. Many classes were open here. Therefore, the pupils did
not have to come to the provincial school. The typical classes are ones
of the scholars of Nguyen Family in Van Diem Village.
In the traditional education in Dong Anh, the education activities
can be seen as the works of village rather than the state. The teaching
& learning activities are not under the administrative unit with the
sponsor and control of feudal government. From selection of teacher
for village to the building of temple of literature, providing the lands,
encouraging the pupils to learn well, supporting poor pupils, all of
those are done by the village and organizations under villages.
In the traditional education, the salary of scholar is paid under the
way that the family of learners contributes the field, cow, force to
process for the teacher’s family when the harvest season comes so that
the teacher’s family can use. When the teacher dies, such field is used
for caring the funeral for teachers and teachers’ family uses later on
teacher’s death anniversary later. Each class has some fields
contributed by the learner’s family. In some cases, it can be
contributed from the public field of village to feed the teacher. When
the teacher dies, the learner has to prepare the anniversary of teacher’s
death. The learners contributes money to build up the house for the
teacher. When the teacher dies, that house is used to worship the
teacher. Every year on the teacher’s death anniversary, all learners
come to make the offerings. Together with family, each village pays
attention to learning of their children because if someone passes the
examination, it means bringing the honor for the whole village.
Almost the villages encourage the satisfactory learning so that the

pupils strive their best to study best. Any village has “Learning field”
for the learners, teachers and people passing the examination.
2.1.3. Learning content and examination
In the traditional education, the learning content is stated in the
Confucian books written by the Confucians such as four books, Five
Before learning the four books and five classics, the learners
study the simple books such as tu van, Minh tam bao giam, Minh dao
gia huan. Later, Vietnamese bases on such books to write the specific
books such as Nhat thien tu, Tam thien tu, Ngu thien tu, So hoc van
tan, Au hoc ngu ngon thi. According to the book Education and
examination of confucian in Thang Long Ha Noi, the learners under
Le – Trinh – Nguyen dynasty had learnt the Vietnamese books in
addition to the ones compiled by Chinese. All those books are focused
on the physiology, ethics, morality and no concept about technique &
science. Each learner considers the Confucian book as the standard.
All their learning life is about such books. They have to learn to
remember each word and explain the correct meaning. Together with
the Confucian books, the Chinese language is considered the official
language in learning and examination. For writing, the learners have
to write very carefully. There is a saying “The handwriting, the person
character” basing on this Han language. The learners have to raise the
poems and verses based on the shapes of letters to easily be
remembered.
The learning can occur in the village or private schools outside
Thang Long but the examinations are gathered in the certain place.
The first system of competition examinations in Dong Anh and other
hometowns are gathered in the capital under the supervision of the
court. When the fixed convention comes to the three schools, the first-
degree examination is organized at different locations in the country
but not any province selected. Three or four provinces organize

examination at one place. The examiners in Dong Anh come to Thang
Long to take part in the examination. Two later examinations are
second degree examination and court examination; the pupils national
wide gather in the capital to take part in the examination and learners
in Dong Anh is not unexceptional. All examinations are aimed at one
skill about literature compilation under many types. Via the results of
each examination, the feudal movement shall select the talented into
the administration machine.
The first-degree examination is organized every three years.
Therefore, some people have to wait two or three years so that they
can take the examination. The travelling for examination is also
difficult for the ones living far away. The traffic is tough and lacks the
means of transportation. When travelling, the learners have to bring
along the tent and bamboo bench. The writer Mr. Ngo Tat To, the
outstanding person of Dong Anh wrote about the examination
atmosphere. Mr. Ngo Tat To was the Confucian leaner. The
examination atmosphere he wrote in the writing Tent and bamboo
bench is the busy atmosphere in Dong Anh when each examination
comes. Such atmosphere reflects lively the atmosphere of a society
learning under the feudal period – an urging, strict and busy
atmosphere expressed clearly at the learner’s anxiety in preparation of
pens, tents, beds and their relatives in each family when brining a few
feed or preparation of rice offerings to the village sages to wish for
examination passing. Facing to such tense examination atmosphere,
maybe the former people set up the temples so that when the
examination occurs, the learners come there to make the wish and
luck. In the former Cu Trinh village convention, currently named Ho
Phu, stated that “In order to encourage learning the Confucian, the
village set up the temples of literature worship the Confucius and the
confucians”. Such encouragements are meaningful to the learners.

Upon the old days, Thang Long – Ha Noi is very famous for the
centre of education and culture of the whole nation. This is the place
gathering all the talented for the central mandarin system. There are
many famous Confucians in Thang Long via many dynasties such as
Chu Van An, Le Thanh Tong, Cao Ba Quat…In this historical land,
Dong Anh is one of the districts with high performance listed in the
gold list about education achievements.
2.2. Achievements of traditional education
2.2.1. Dong Anh has many people passing examination
In the traditional education, the book Dong Anh with thousands
years Thang Long Ha Noi in the page 126-127 listed details of
number of people passing the examination in Dong Anh via periods
and set that figure in the relation with Thang Long capital. According
to this book, Dong Anh is the district with total number of PhD
passing examinations high at second ranking in total of 29 districts of
Ha Noi – as per the master plan up to the year 2012 with the 56 people
passing the examination. Among which, there are 3 third highest
academic title, 13 second rank doctors and 39 third divisions and 1
junior doctor. On the top of this list is Thuong Tin District with 64
people passing the examination. Dong Anh is also one of 8 districts
with 35 people passing the examination. According to this statistic list,
the number of people passing the examination in Dong Anh occupies
about 8.41 % of total people passing the pre-court of competition
examination in Thang Long Ha Noi, standing after Thuong Tin at rate
of 9,61%. It can be said that this is the proud figure. Despite the
suburd districts, Thuong Tin & Dong Anh led the performances in the
traditional education in Thang Long.
The people passing the examinaition in Dong Anh have
contributed to the country. With the philology of learning to be the
mandarin, we can affirm that the leaner as per the Confucian thought

always has their clear career path but the job here is limited in the
administration and social management only. With such physiology,
when being successful, they devote their own utmost for the
assignments delivered by the feudal government. It can be said that
although the number of people passing the examination is quite small
on the total figure, they are assigned the relative posts. The book
Dong Anh with thousands years of Thang Long listed quite details
about the important tasks that the court assigned.
Among 56 Confucian PhD, there are two people holding the post
as attaché, later named prime minster Mr. Nguyen Thuc under Le The
Tong Dynasty and Mr. Vu Cong Te under Le Du Tong dynasty and one
person holding as vice attaché Mr. Trinh Duc Nhuan under Le Huy
Tong dynasty, 6 people holding as ministers. The book Dong Anh with
thousands years of Thang Long also affirms that 11/56 PhD in Dong
Anh are sent to foreign countries and hold the posts such as chief
envoy, vice-chief envoy. Especially, the third highest academic title Mr
Vuong Khac Thuat are sent to oversea twice. Many families with
father, children and relatives are sent oversea. Typical cases are
Nguyen Family in Van Diem. There are 4 people allocated this
assignments. In addition to three generations in the same family
Nguyen Thuc – Nguyen Nghi – Nguyen Si, there is additional relative
Nguyen Thuong. Not only being sent oversea but also the PhD in Dong
Anh makes the great contributions to the developments of the
traditional education. There are 6/56 PhD in Dong Anh hold the post as
offer wine or deputy headmaster of temple of literature. Other PhD has
not held any important posts but each person at each position makes the
utmost contribution to the management and leadership of the feudal
state.
2.2.2. Dong Anh has many families, villages of court system of
competition – examinations

Two communes with highest number of PhD are Van Ha and Lien
Ha with 11 and 10 PhD accordingly. The communes such as Mai
Lam, Dong Hoi, Thuy Lam have over 5 PhD. At these communes, the
family of court system of competition examination is set up.
The family of court system of competition examination is the one
with many people at the same generation or at different generation
passing the examination. In some families, the father, son, relatives
are listed in the gold list even in the same court system. The family
court of system of competition examiniation is the ones with many
people passing the examination. The famous family in Dong Anh is
family Nguyen in Van Diem, Chu Family in Cu Trinh, Trinh Family
in Thai Binh, Duong Family in Ha Lo. Among which, Nguyen Family
in Van Diem is the one with highest number of people passing the
examination at 6/7 PhD. Under Le dynasty, these families have up to
11 people passing the examination. Especially, Hoang family has
many consecutive generations with people passing the examination
such as Nguyen Thuc Do in the year 1595 ; Nguyen Nghi – son of
Nguyen Thuc in the year 1619 ; two brothers and being paternal
grandchild of Nguyen Nghi, Nguyen Khue ; Nguyen Tham in the year
1670 ; son of Nguyen Khue – Nguyen Tham in the year 1706. In
addition, their relatives such as Nguyen Thuong, Nguyen Tu Gian,
Nguyem Kham also pass the examinations.
The families in the court of system of competition examinations
in Dong Anh are the nucleus for the village court set up. It can be
listed out some court villages such as Van Diem village in Van Ha
commune, Cu Trinh village in Dong Hoi Commune, Thai Binh
Village in Mai Lam commune, etc. In the statistic table, the court
villages in Thang Long Ha Noi of writer Bui Xuan Dinh, Dong Anh
has 5 villages including van Diem, Ha Lo, Cu Trinh, Thai Binh and
Du Noi meanwhile other district such as Tu Liem, Thanh Tri has only

4 communes.

2.3. Traditional education affects much on the life
2.3.1. Traditional respect for teacher and study
The traditional education in Dong Anh has not only obtained
many achievements but also affected much in Dong Anh people’s life
naturally via the long lasting historic process. Now, it can be seen that
the remarks about such matter via the tradition of worship especially
the usage of Chinese language in some relics and religion works.
Dong Anh People have the tradition to worship the famous people
who have greater contributions in foundation and development of
Confucius and high performance in the examination or great devote to
the country.
Like many other hometown, Dong Anh people build up the
temples of literature to worship the Confucius – the founder of
Confucians; and the people passing the court of competition
examination at highest ranking. The village convention in Dong Anh
reminds about the establishment of temple of literature. Co Loa
Citadel was built on the land where the former people said that it is the
accommodation of Ngo Quyen. CO Loa citadel has magnificent scale
and not the specific relics of Co Loa village but also the whole area in
Dong Ngan district. Every year, in February and August, the members
of Co Loa Literature Board come here to make the offerings to the
Confucius and Confucians to make the wishes for study of their
children. Lai Da Temple of Literature was built on the spacious land
at the middle of village and hidden after the ancient tree. According to
the book Lai da in the past and present in the year 1965, the temple
of literature was destroyed to be the garden. Currently, it did not exist,
the relics remarks remain the tree and cultural house.
2.3.2. Marks in the cultural works

Among the cultural works in Dong Anh, we can realize many
relics in the traditional education. If in the northern invader period, the
Confucian knowledge is applied compulsory, after getting the self-
dependence, the Chinese language come into life to serve the people’s
demands.
Using the Chinese language and pronunciation as per Chinese –
Vietnamese makes the studious tradition in Dong Anh have more
chances to develop and become one of the best traditions that the
former people set up and keep until now for the later generation. We
are so wise to borrow the Chinese langue to be the writing script but
still read in our own way. The parallel sentences Chinese –
Vietnamese language are remained currently in the religion relics in
Dong Anh.
From the ancient days, Dong Anh people use the Chinese
language to name the religion works. Such name is followed the
structure “pagoda name in Chinese language + tự” such as Thien Linh
tu, Dai Bi tự, etc. Some documents in the book Dong Anh with
thousands years of Thang Long Ha Noi, the writer listed out 85
names of pogoda as per this structure. Among which, the name Linh
Quang tu are named for 4 pagodas, Linh Ung Tu, Linh Thong Tu are
named for 3 pagodas, Dại Bi Tu, Phuc Dien Tu are named for 2
pagodas. Some other famous works in Dong Anh are named as per
this structure: Name “Quan ke Thon” - Name of Ga village, Co Loa
commune ; Thang Nam bridge named Ngu Nguyet Kieu – the former
people said that it is the place that An Duong Vuong Monarch often
rode the boat to go bathing or ride to visit his wife’s hometown.
Additionally, the Chinese characters are used to write the
horizontal lacquered board, parallel sentence, name of decorative
objects, etc or the engrave images with seal characters – a writing
script of Chinese or project “phoenix”. Moreover, the architecture of

temples are built up on the shapes of the Chinese characters such as
Co Loa, Mach Trang Temple were built as per “internal Cong –
external Quoc” - Inside as per the character of “Cong”, outside as per
the character of “Quoc”. Cau Ca Bridge is built as per the character
“dinh”. In the relics clusters of Thuong Temple – Communal house
Ngu trieu di quy – Am Mi Chau – pogada Bảo Sơn in Co Loa, it can
be listed many remarks of Chinese character that expresses in the
parallel sentence, horizontal lacquered board, words in stele, bell or
figures with seal character – that reflects the Chinese character
including many dashes and parallel lines. An Duong Vuong Temple or
other name called Thuong Temple is one of the architectural work
with the most parallel sentences surveyed.


Chapter 3: THE MODERN EDUCATION IN DONG ANH
3.1. Some changes in modern education in Dong Anh
3.1.1. Teacher – learner
In the initial phase of new education, when the French domination
still limits building the schools, opening classes, the teachers in Dong
Anh are the Confucian scholars. In the year 1927, Mr. Nguyen ba
Dang in Lai Da helmet opened the class teaching the national
language. Additionally, in Lai Da, there was another class teaching
both national and Confucian language. The teacher’s name is Mr. Cu
Doan. When being asked about the memory in the previous years
before the revolution, almost the elderly in Co Loa reminds the
teachers’ names: Mr. Than, Mr. Vinh, Mr Thang – born in Co Loa and
taught in primary schools, kindergarten accordingly. After the
innovation, the teachers in Dong Anh are not only the male but also
the female. The number of teachers is increasing. They are trained in
the college of training. Many teachers are in charge of one class

according to types of subjects. The rate of teacher per leaner meets the
demands from the lowest level. Ms. Nguyen Thi An – born in the year
1981, bride in Co Loa and living in Nhoi Village told about the
kindergarten class of her 4-year son: “My son in the kindergarten this
year is the second year. He goes to school at the age of 3 years. His
class is the most crowded in the school with 53 pupils with 3 teachers
in charge”. She feels much secured when letting her son taken care by
the teacher. Also according to the performance report on May 2012 of
district Education and Training Board, the rate of teacher per
kindergarten pupil in the year 2011-2012 is 1:14. That means on
average one teacher is in charge of 14 kindergarten pupils. This rate in
the primary school and secondary school is 1:27 and 1:17 accordingly.
After the French set up the new education, the learning is not only
for the male. Despite that from the year 1917 to the beginning years of
20th century, only the children in the rich family in Dong Anh has had
the chance to go to school and required to learn in remote school.
After the year 1945, the movement about the fight against the
illiteracy and education activities in Dong Anh has become more
ebullient. The task of illiteracy eradication is set in vital role by the
governments. Therefore, all people are mobilized to go to school. The
slogan at this time is that “Everyone goes to school” and later replaced
by new slogan “Every family brings kids to school” because at this
period, the people learning national language are at different ages
including the elderly and little kids [27, page 78]. From the innovation
to present, Dong Anh people carried out correctly as per the spirit of
slogan “Everyone brings children to school”. According to the
statistical report of District Education & Training Board, in the year
2011-2012, in Dong Anh, there are more than 6000 children entering
the 1st grade class. Among which, 99,9% pupils are at the age range
that is stipulated by the state [40].

Under the impacts of market economy and impacts from the
western culture, the teacher is not only the educator like parents but
also the friends for pupils. Additionally, the new concept in the
education places the pupil in the centre and master of education,
which changes a lot in the teacher – pupil treatment. The teacher now
becomes the instructor and guides the pupils in the way of seeking the
knowledge. The relationship between the teachers and pupils become
the democracy relationship. The teacher has not get the absolute
power as before. The pupils do not only have the chance to discuss
freely but also argue with the teachers and question him/her and ask
them to reply. That is a positive progress that express the democracy
and equality in the teacher – leaner relationship and above all others, it
urges the pro-active and positive attitude of pupils.
However, the pupils sometimes express their opinion in over-free
manner, even impolite to the teacher. Meanwhile, the teacher is not
allowed to shout and punish the pupils under any way. We encourage
the pupils to make the question and bravely raise their ideas. We do
wish a close and open teacher – leaner relationship but impossible to
accept the attitude about not respecting teacher. The first learning
attitude of pupils is to know polite and humble with their teachers and
willing to learn all new knowledge. Such attitude expresses the
tradition “Respect teacher” of Vietnamese and the first requirements
to become the cultured person.
It is difficult to conclude which treatment at which period is better
because the relationship between the teacher and leaner depends much
on the factors about economy and society of the times. Looking back
that relationship in the history is one way for the teachers and learners
in Dong Anh to have the proper treatment.
3.1.2. Schooling system and management
The teaching and learning occurs at schools and are divided into

the grades directly under the master head. The highest organ of
education management in the district is Dong Anh Education and
Training Board. This is the specialized organ directly under Dong Anh
District People’s Committee and has the function to consult and
support the district People’s committee to carry the state management
function regarding education and training; carries out some tasks and
rights as per the authorization and directives of Dong Anh District
Training & Education Department. The primary schools, secondary
schools and gifted schools are directly under the Education & Training
Board. The high schools and vocational centers and colleges are
directly under Ha Noi Education & Training Department.
3.1.3. Learning content and examination
It can be easily seen in the modern education that the learners do not
have to learn the Confucian language, read and learn the meaning of
Confucian words as per the Confucianism taught. The learners
nowadays read the books, and write in the national langue. During
learning, they can take part in the foreign language course in addition to
mother tongue langue. The current learning program is divided as per
the class grades. Each class implements the different education
assignments. The kindergartens schools help complete the muscles and
social integration for kids. The primary school, secondary school and
high school bring the basic scientific knowledge in many aspects from
easy to difficult level for the pupils. In addition to the general culture
knowledge, the college provides the theoretical and practical knowledge
about the certain work orientation. The specialized schools do not only
teach the culture knowledge but also helps the children with disability
integrate into the society. According to the stipulation of board of
Education, the learning program is divided into many subjects based on
different learning duration.
3.2. Achievements in the modern education

Passing through the feudal period with many glory achievements
of traditional education, our country fell in consecutive wars. The
education in Dong Anh and the overall nation faces many difficulties.
However, the goals set for education such as illiteracy eradication,
popularization education are completely implemented. In the recent
years, Dong Anh is always the top flag in the education of Ha noi. The
achievements of modern education in Dong Anh are shown in many
achievements of different grades with specific figures.
3.3. Some existing issues
Although Dong Anh has many achievements, it remains some
limitations. Such issues are not only of the education in Dong Anh. In
order to further understand those existing issues, the writer made the
survey at Co Loa high school.
Co Loa High school is set up in the year 1966 on the land of
historic Co Loa. At the beginning period, the school was located in
Bai mieu, Mit Village, Co Loa commune and named Dong Anh A
high school. In the school year 1969–1970, the school was officially
transferred into Dong Hoi commune in Dong Anh District and named
as Co Loa High school. The pupils in Co Loa high school are the
children in Co Loa commune, Hoi Phu, Mai Lam and other
surrounding communes. The interview subjects are the pupils at 12th
grade. Being experienced through all pupil life and before the gateway
of career selection, understanding the pupils shall help identify the
existing issues in the education in Dong Anh.
Extra lessons: Learning extra lessons in Dong Anh is not out of the
issues of overall society. For a long time, the university entrance
examination is the only road to promote of more than a million of
graduates. As per the current method and content of examination, for the
majority of pupils, learning at school and at home is not enough. The
extra lesson meets the demands of major pupils who want to pass the

university entrance but cannot self-study. When searching the key word
“Teaching & learning extra lesson” in goggle search, there will be
immediate millions of results. It is not exaggerated to say that this is the
social problem because the victims are 20 millions of pupils. There are