The stone steles of doctoral candidates in the Le-Mac dynasties (1442-1779) have been recognized as part of the World’s Documentary Heritage.

The information was released at an annual plenary session of the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Committee for the Asia-Pacific region in Macau, China on March 9. This is considered a very significant event for Hanoi’s millennium anniversary to be celebrated in October.

Honouring the doctorate awardees in the Le-Mac dynasties, the steles reflect the historical significance of learning in the country.

Created by pre-eminent historical figures, the inscriptions on the steles are invaluable works that greatly contribute to the establishment of the country’s traditional culture and education.

The doctorate steles erected at Van Mieu (The Temple of Literature) in Hanoi are Vietnam’s second documentary heritage, after the Nguyen dynasty wood-blocks, to be added to the Memory of the World Programme.