VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese students and examinees always try to touch the heads of the turtles at Van Mieu (the Temple of Literature) for good luck during their exams. The behavior has been facing the violent criticism from the public.

Thong kneels down between the two stone turtles, bearing a board with the words “Xin dung so dau rua” (Please, do not touch the heads of the turtles)

Van Mieu hosts the Quoc Tu Giam, or Imperial Academy, which is considered the Vietnam's first national university.

A series of pictures showing young students touching the heads of turtles or sitting on the turtles that bear the stone steles of doctors (the scholars who got high achievements at the national examinations under the feudal dynasties) were posted on Internet some days ago.

Just a few days later, an image showing a man kneeling down between the two stone turtles, bearing a board with the words “Xin dung so dau rua” (Please, do not touch the heads of the turtles) on his back appeared on Internet.

The man was Pham Huy Thong, a young painter, who has become well known recently with his contemporary art works. The behavior of the young painter caused the curiosity from the public.

With his behavior, the young painter obviously wants to send a message to young people and the public that it’s necessary to protect historical relics and show the respect of modern people to their ancestors.

Right after appearing on Internet, the image has been spread out in the Internet users’ community, and received tens of thousands of “like” from the Facebook community.

Most of the members of the community agree that Thong has taken a significant action, hoping that after Thong gave people an imploring look, the historical relic would be safe from superstitious people, who believe that they would have good luck if they touch the stone turtles.

A Facebook’s resident with nickname Cu Du Don wrote: “Thong has taken a noble action to preserve the historical relic. It’s really admirable.”

Another member, Sergeantst Freeze, wrote: “Please stand up uncle Thong. Please do not this any longer. You have made us think about the behaviors of the youth in the modern society.”

James Dao said that the image has made his heart broken.

However, Nguyen Tran Dang, a student, does not think that the action of the young painter would not help “disillusion” the superstitious people who believe that they would pass the university entrance exams if they can touch the turtles, who are considered the “genies.”

Dr Ha Dinh Duc, who has been famous in Vietnam as the expert about turtles, also said he was shocked when seeing the pictures of students sitting on the heads of the turtles, stressing that the behavior of the students is unacceptable.

“This shows that the students do not have any basic knowledge about the national culture and history,” Duc said.

In fact, examinees have the habit of touching turtles at Van Mieu to have good luck for a long time already. However, in the past, only few students did this. However, more and more schools have been opened and more and more students want to touch the turtles. As a result, the national precious relic would wear out step by step.

When asked to comment about the action of Pham Huy Thong, a lecturer of the Hanoi University of Architecture, Duc said no need to ask for the public’s respect to the historical relic on bended knee. He also said that students need to be educated about the necessary attitudes towards historical values, which is the responsibility of families, educators and the whole society.

Source: Giao duc VN