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

3

GLOSSARY

No
Words
Meaning
1
Bang nhan
Second highest academic title in Dinh examination in
Confucianism education.
2
Cu nhan
The title for persons who pass the fourth test in Huong
examination from 1828.
3
Dinh
examination
The Confucian competition was organized in the yard
of King’s palace. Only person who passed Hoi
examination was attend at Dinh examination.
4
Hoang giap
The title for persons who got high result in the Dinh
examination, after Trang nguyen, Bang nhan, Tham
hoa.
5

Hoi
examination
The Confucian competition was organized in the Thang
Long capital. Only persons who passed the last test in
Huong examination was attended at Hoi examination.
It included four tests like Huong examination.
6
Huong cong
The title for persons who passed the fourth test in
Huong examination before 1828.
7
Huong
examination
The Confucian competition was organized in
provinces. It included four tests.
8
Pho bang
The title for persons who did not passed the fourth test
in Hoi examination and Dinh examination but getting
high places in three former tests.
9
Tham hoa
Third highest academic title in Dinh examination in


4
Confucianism education.
10
Tien si
The title for persons who passed the Hoi examination

and Dinh examination.
11
Trang nguyen
First highest academic title in Dinh examination in
Confucianism education.























5
LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1: List of administrative units of Bac Ninh Province – Dong Anh
foundation in the year 1867 14
Table 2.1: List of number of PhD as per commune name in Dong Anh 42
Table 2.2: List of village with system of competition examination in
Dong Anh 44
Table 2.3: List of parallel sentence, horizontal lacquered board in Co Loa relic 56
Table 3.1: Teaching plan in primary school level 68
Table 3.2: Teaching plan at secondary school level 69
Table 3.3: Teaching plan for vocational level 70
Table 3.4: Comprehensive education quality of pupils 73
Table 3.5: Comprehensive education quality of pupils of secondary
school 74
Table 3.6: Graduate results of secondary schools 74





5
LIST OF CHARTS
Chart 2.1: Diagram about rate of districts in Thang Long Ha Noi with
above 35 PhD 40
Chart 2.2: Diagram of generations in Nguyen Thuc family passing the
examination 43
Chart 3.1: Sum of kindergarten pupils and teacher in Kindergarten in
Dong Anh in the year 2009 - 2011 59
Chart 3.2: Diagram of Grade 1 pupils from 2008 to 2011 61
Chart 3.3: Diagram of kindergarten children following age in Đong Anh
district in 2011 71

6
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


7
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
The education under the feudal phase has become the hot topic for
many researches. In the scope of study, some first works that should be
mentioned are the book Quoc trieu huong khoa luc written by Mr. Cao
Xuan Duc – a high ranking mandarin under Nguyen Dynasty and Lich trieu
hien chuong loai chi written by Mr. Phan Huy Chu – other mandarin who
recorded the full name and home town of contestants passing the Dinh
examination under Nguyen Dynasty from the year of 1822 to the year of
1919; rules and regulations examination under Nguyen Dynasty. Other later
works study about the feudal education, mainly about propagation of
Confucianism into Viet Nam, appearance and development of man of
languages, influences of Confucianism opinions for Vietnamese culture and
spirit or research about life of famous person coming from Confucianism and

his contributions to the nation development. Another issue that many


8
researchers pursue is Han – Nom documents on the family annals and steles
to see the development phase of Confucianism. The works are such as List of
Viet Nam system - competition examination (1075-1919) of Mr. Ngo Duc
Tho, Education – systems of former competition examination and mandarin
in Viet Nam in the feudal phase, French phase of Mr. Nguyen Cong Ly,
Education and Confucianism system – former competition examination
under Le Dynasty via Han Nom Documents of Mr. Dinh Khac Thuan.
With the role as the Confucianism centre under the feudal phase, Thang
Long – Ha Noi becomes the land that attracts the most attention of researcher.
The number of works about Confucianism education in Thang Long Ha Noi is
increasingly diverse, especially after the project “Book store welcoming to
anniversary of thousands years Thang Long Ha Noi”, mass of new published
works Education in Thang Long Ha Noi: Process, historical experiences
and development orientation – the chief editor Mr. Nguyen Hai Ke. Thang
Long Ha Noi parallel sentences and traditional Sino-Vietnamese
dissertation Thang Long Ha Noi of Mr. Nguyen Van Thinh, epitaph PhD at
Temple of Literature of Mr. Ngo Duc Tho. The book Thang Long Ha Noi
Education: Process, Historical experience and development orientation
expresses the education of Thang Long Ha Noi from the establishment to
actual development. From that, it can be withdrawal of the experience lessons,
success and limits; on such basis, the proposal, orientations, opinions and
solutions are proposed in order to develop the education as the importation
driving force in comprehensive development of capital in the new phase. The
book Thang Long Education and Confucianism system of former
competition – examinations published in 2010, and previously Thang Long
villages of system of competition – examination published in 1994 of Bui

Xuan Dinh mentions the concepts related to the Confucianism, development


9
phases of Confucianism and achievements and features of Thang Long
Confucianism – considered as the central Confucianism of whole country.
Two such books also presents the accurate number of examiner passing as per
the king dynasty, profile and merits of such passing examiners, statistical list
of such persons classified as per the hometown and dynasty. Located as a
suburb of Thang Long, the achievements about Confucianism education in
Dong Anh is listed systematically on such criteria.
It can be seen above that 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


10
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.
Another study tendency is about one commune in Dong Anh district for
example: work Co Loa monograph closely connected with names of two
writers Nguyen Quang Ngoc and Vu Van Quan. Co Loa is a typical commune
of Dong Anh district. Via the studies about education in Co Loa, the readers
can partially image the general education image of the whole Dong Anh
district. Due to the nature of works, education occupies a small part only and
not details about tokens about education activities. As per the same research
tendency, on some website pages, there are several writings about traditions
of Confucianism in the villages of system of competition examinations in
Dong Anh such as Van Diem, Hoi Phu Villages.
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.


11
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. The detailed
tasks are as below:
- Summarizing the formation process of the area, showing the impacts
of forming history and educational activities, which is one of the most
important conditions to create a Confucianism Education with many
achievements in Dong Anh.
- Clarifying the features of the Confucianism Education in Dong Anh
basing on the correlation with the general features of the feudal Confucianism

Education in Vietnam, Thang Long-Hanoi.


12
- Displaying in details the achievements of the Confucianism Education in
Dong Anh, the hallmarks of this education in the life of Dong Anh’s people.
- Showing the changes of Dong Anh’s Education in the modern in
comparison with the past by updated figures.
- Bringing up the achievements of the modern Education as well as
clarifying the shortcomings, showing some causes, of which some causes rise
from the epoch and others are hallmarks of the last education.
- Proposing some solutions basing on the traditional cultural features in
Dong Anh and the general policies about the modern Education of the State.
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. Scope of the research
- The official historical documents about the education system in Dong
Anh Ha Noi
- The documents obtained in the process of countryside and interviews
in Dong Anh nowadays.
6. Research methodology
The thesis applies the combination of three below methods:
Method of documents study, statics, and classification: we study and

make the statistic report in general about the documents published about
above-mentioned issues.


13
Method of survey and investigation: This method is used in order to
collect the most update data about education in Dong Anh. We deliver the
interview sample for 150 students in Co Loa Secondary School.
In-depth Interview: subjects of the in-depth interview include four
main subjects:
(1) Teachers: are working and retired
(2) Parents: preschool education, primary, secondary school and high school
(3) Pupils: preschool education, primary, secondary school and high school
(4) Others
7. 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.
8. Structure of the thesis
In addition to the Introduction and Conclusion, the Content of the thesis
has three chapters:
Chapter 1: General overview about Dong Anh and its education
Chapter 2: The traditional education in Dong Anh
Chapter 3: The modern education in Dong Anh

14
CONTENT
Chapter 1: OVERVIEW ABOUT DONG ANH DISTRICT
AND ITS EDUCATION

1.1. Overview about Dong Anh district
1.1.1. Geography and history in Dong Anh
1.1.1.1. History about establishment
Dong Anh is the ancient place where Vietnamese have explored very
early. However, the foundation history of Dong Anh district on the
administration map can be pointed out 4 milestone: in the year 1876, 1904,
1952 and 1961.
In the year 1876: Nguyen Dynasty established Dong Anh district in Bac
Ninh province. As per the Co Loa monograph [130], in the 29
th
Tu Duc year,
that means in 1876, Nguyen Dynasty establishes Dong Anh district based on
some administration units of Bac Ninh Province.
Table 1.1: List of administrative units of Bac Ninh Province – Dong Anh
foundation in the year 1867
SSN
Administrative Unit
Directly Under
Directly
Under
1
Co Loa canton – 8 communes
Dong Ngan district,
Tu Son
Bac Ninh

Province
2
Tuan Le canton – 9 communes
3
Xuan Canh canton – 11
communes and villages
4
Phuong La canton – 3/10
communes, previously Huong La
canton
Yen Phong district,
Tu Son

5
Dong Do canton – 5 communes
Kim Anh district,
previously named
Kim Hoa, Thien
Phuc, other name as
Bac Ha
6
Phu Lo canton – 5/14 communes
[26, page.130]


15
In the year 1904: Dong Anh district is extended and moved directly
under Phuc Yen Province. According to the book Dong Anh with thousands
years of Thang Long [10, page.23], since the establishment to the year 1904,
the district has many times changing names and province directly under. On

February 1904, some villages and communes in Yen Lang of former Son Tay
were moved into Dong Anh district, at that time in Phu Lo Province, after
that, Phu Lo was changed into Phuc Yen. At that time, Dong Anh had 8
districts and 54 communes. The structure of districts and communes was
stable until August 1945.
In the year of 1952: Dong Anh district continues to be expanded at the
eastern side. The book Dong Anh with thousands years of Thang Long [10,
page.25] clearly states that September 1952, the French domination cut the
major part of communes of Tu Son district, Bac Ninh province – communes
and villages in the eastern side of current Dong Anh – into Dong Anh,
formerly called Dong Anh district.
In the year 1961: Dong Anh was officially directly under Ha Noi. The
book Dong Anh with thousands years of Thang Long [10, page.26] wrote:
April 1961, Dong Anh was moved into Ha Noi. Seven communes were newly
merged into Dong Anh. Among which, there were two communes of Yen
Lang district and five communes of Tu Song district. Accordingly, this
outskirt district had 23 communes. Five communes of Tu Son district, Bac
Ninh province merged into Dong Anh at this period were: Duc Tu, Dong Hoi,
Lien Ha, Mai Lam, and Van Ha. Such five communes were under three
districts Duc Tu, Ha Lo and Hoi Phu of Dong Ngan, Tu Son and Kinh Bac at
the beginning of 19th century and were the places with many achievements
about Confucianism.
After Dong Anh was set up and included the land of 4 communes such as


16
Tien Duong, Uy No, Nguyen Khe, Xuan Non in the year 1982 and currently, it
has 24 the administrative units, including Dong Anh town and 23 towns.
Map of Dong Anh formation process

[10, page.23–26]
1.1.1.2. Current administrative border
Currently, except 10 districts and 1 other town, Dong Anh is one of 8
districts of Ha Noi Capital. Dong Anh district is located in the eastern side in the
northern Ha Noi. The system of Hong River and Duong River is the
administrative border of district with the internal city and geographical area of
18.230 ha. Since the establishment, in general, Dong Anh district is expanded
increasingly. Dong Anh becomes the second district of Ha Noi, except Soc Son.
The current administrative border of Dong Anh district is as below:
Regarding the eastern, Northern East bordering with Bac Ninh province
Regarding the south, bordering with Tay Ho district and Tu Liem
district, Ha Noi
Regarding the southern eastern, bordering with Gia Lam district, Ha Noi


17
Regarding the western, bordering with Me Linh district, Ha Noi
Regarding the northern, bordering with Soc Son district, Ha Noi
1.1.1.3. Dong Anh – interfere of two cultural zones
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.
Map of Tu Son – Bac Ninh province before 1876

[Source: Bac Ninh Province’s website]
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, “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


18
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,


19
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.
1.1.2. Economy in Dong Anh
1.1.2.1. Economy of Dong Anh district in the impetus
Dong Anh is an outskirt district, located in the northern gateway of Ha
Noi capital, in the master planned area of development about industry, urban,
service and tourism approved by the government and city. It is also the
important traffic point connecting Ha Noi with other Northern provinces. At
such location, Dong Anh district has many favorable conditions to develop
the economy.
The traffic system on land and in water is quite diverse and the
favorable condition to develop the economy here. Apart from Hong River and
Duong River in the south, there is Ca Lo River in the northern Dong Anh. The
railway Ha Noi – Thai Nguyen and Ha Noi – Yean Bai passes through Dong
Anh district. Noi Bai International airport connected to Ha Noi city by the
highway No. 3 and Thang Long – Noi bai high-speed street passes through
Dong Anh at distance of 7.5 km. With this traffic system, Dong Anh has
become the connection bridge between Ha Noi and northern east provinces
and the international gateway for the country. This is also the premise for

promoting the development about the district’s economy, culture and society.
Not only having the advantages about location, traffic system but also
the natural area of Dong Anh ranked Dong Anh as the second among the


20
outskirt of Ha Noi. With this advantage, Dong Anh has been attracting more
interests of the domestic and foreign investors. In Dong Anh nowadays, there
are the central, municipal and district enterprises. Among which, there are the
foreign join ventures. In the next time, the investment projects continue to
increase. The master plan of Ha Noi Capital in the year 2020 has the priority
for investment in Northern Hong River area. Herein, the new centres such as
Northern Thang Long – Van Tri, Dong Anh – Co Loa, Gia Lam – Sai Dong –
Yen Vien will be established. Once again, this new priority has made the
favorable condition for the area to speed up the urbanization speed and socio-
economic development for Dong Anh district.
Additionally, in the area, some traditional trade villages have been
invested and developed rapidly in communes Lien Ha, Van Ha and Duc Tu.
Currently, Van Ha has many limited companies specialized in sales, wood
processing, production and consumption of wooden goods. The trade village
has been specialized: Thiet Binh mainly trades and processes the wooden
goods served for production units in the commune; Co Chau is specialized in
household goods served for daily life such as bed, wardrobe, table and chair;
Thiet Ung and Van Diem are the places famous for art/statue engrave.
Currently, the production revenue of handcraft industry occupies about 60%
revenue of whole commune Van ha. The wage for worker is higher; therefore,
the life of people here is improved better.
1.1.2.2. Economy development brings many favorable conditions for
education in Dong Anh
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


21
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.
1.1.3. Cultures in Dong Anh
1.1.3.1. Dong Anh – rich in cultural traditions
Dong Anh district is located in the northern Ha Noi. Although it became
the official administrative unit in the 19
th
century, Dong Anh has passed
through lots of magnanimous events with Ha Noi capital. Through such
historic stages, Dong Anh people have created the deep culture for their
hometown. The specific features such as festivals, eating and drinking,
traditional crafts, etc in Dong Anh have brought the soul for this area and
become the unforgettable things for whoever that are closely connected with it.
Relic system: In Dong Anh, there are 294 relic clusters including the
pagodas, temples, commune houses and revolutionary units. Among which,

there are about 108 national and municipal relics ranking as the historical and
cultural relics [10, page.221]. The typical works are Co Loa, Sai Temple and
Nam Hong tunnel. Co Loa Citadel is the famous historical relic located in Co
Loa commune. The citadel was built by Thuc An King about 257 years before
Christ and the capital for Au Lac Country. The folk verse records the sight
here as below: