Located in Hanoi’s outlying district of Thanh Oai, Canh Hoach village, also known as Vac village, is home to two Trang Nguyen, top doctorate winners during feudal times. The village’s Nguyen clan is renowned for nurturing many talents.

‘Trang Nguyen’ was the title given to the person who gained top doctoral position in the Confucian education system during Vietnam’s feudal times. It was used in the Ly dynasty in the early 11th century, Tran dynasty between 1225 and 1400, the later Le dynasty between 1427 and 1789, and the Mac dynasty in the 16th century.

Vietnam had 55 top doctorate winners. Canh Hoach was one of 2 villages in Vietnam which had 2 people holding the doctoral title. 

The 2 top doctorate holders in Canh Hoach, Nguyen Duc Luong and Nguyen Thien, were maternal uncle and nephew.

Nguyen Van Thang, head of the Nguyen Duc clan in Canh Hoach and in charge of looking after the house to worship the two top doctors, told VOV “The progenitor of the Nguyen clan in our village was Nguyen Ba Ky who gained a doctoral title in 1463 under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong. 

His son was Nguyen Duc Luong who passed a royal examination and was recognised Trang Nguyen in 1514 under the reign of King Le Tuong Duc. He was appointed a post equivalent to deputy foreign minister. When he died, he was conferred the title of foreign minister. 

When Nguyen Thien was 6 years old, he was reared and taught by his uncle, first doctor Nguyen Duc Luong. Then Nguyen Thien was also recognized as Trang Nguyen in 1532 under the reign of King Mac Dang Doanh.”

Canh Hoach communal house.

Nguyen Van Khanh, a villager, said “Vac villagers are proud of our two top doctors. As descendants, we hope we can uphold their family’s learning tradition and follow their outstanding examples to make our homeland more beautiful and wealthy.”

On New Year holiday and their death anniversaries, village leaders and others burn incense at the clan’s worshiping house in memory of the two top doctors.

Nguyen Van Thang, head of the Nguyen Duc clan said “The village festival takes place from the 11th to the 13th day of the third lunar month every year. 

There is a procession of palanquins in honor of Nguyen Duc Luong and Nguyen Thien who made great contributions to the nation and village. The procession finally stops at the worshiping house which was built in 1596. 

Inscribed steles, ancient incense burners, and 10 papers conferred by the King are still preserved here. The house has been recognized as a State-level cultural historical relic site.”

VOV5