VietNamNet Bridge - Founded in 1896, Quoc Hoc Hue School (Hue National High School) is one of the oldest and most famous schools in Vietnam. 

Besides President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, many renowned revolutionaries and scholars like Tran Phu, Le Duan, Pham Van Dong, To Huu ... studied at this school.

Quoc Hoc Hue School was founded pursuant to the royal decree dated September 17th 1896 (the 8th year of Thanh Thai reign) and the decree on November 18, 1896 of the French Resident-Superior in Indochina. The school was built on the site of a former squadron headquarters - a royal navy headquarters.

The school was founded in order to train those who serve the feudal colonial government. French was the main subject. 

In 1915, when the decree annulling the Emperor ancient exam in the province and the ancient exam of the capital in the North was issued, the school was rebuilt. The rows of thatched roofed apartments were torn down and replaced by two rows of buildings, the walls made of brick, the roof covered with tiles. It was solid and comfortable according to western European architecture. Most of the architectures is still extant. 

In 1932, the school opened many specialized classes and its name was changed into Khai Dinh Lycee. During the resistance against French Colonialists on December 19, 1946, the school was moved into two places in the central province of Ha Tinh and followed the resistance.

Today it’s named Hue National High School and is a high-profile school that all students must pass a competitive entrance exam to get admission.

After more than 100-year history, the school is still a well-maintained French colonial-style construction. 

It is a complex of five blocks of classrooms, big football field, basketball court, five badminton courts, a swimming pool, a medium stadium and also a block of dormitory. It’s considered the largest and also the most beautiful high school campus in Vietnam. 

This surrounding makes a great picture of French designed building in harmony with green background of large shady trees and stone benches. Especially in spring, when “diep anh dao” (a kind of cherry blossom) is in bloom, the whole picture is filled with pink dots above orange-red tiles. Students often call that period of time “Pink cloud season” and regard it as the most special moment of a year. 

The school also gains prominence for tradition of patriotism, industriousness, academic achievements and respect for the time-honored values of teacher-student relationships. 

Several political leaders have studied here, including Nguyen Tat Thanh (President Ho Chi Minh), General Vo Nguyen Giap, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, etc. 

In addition, the school is famed for its students who are well-known poets (Xuan Dieu, Huy Can, To Huu, Luu Trong Lu etc.), scientists (Ta Quang Buu, Ton That Tung, Dang Van Ngu, etc.), musicians (Tran Hoan, Chau Ky, Nguyen Van Thuong, etc.) sculptor Diem Phung Thi and so on. 

The school is located on the east bank of the Huong (Perfume) River, near Trang Tien bridge of Hue city.

Some photos of the famous school:

Compiled by Pha Le

Photo: Kien Thuc