Relic site of first female doctoral laureate receives national status

A certificate of national relic site status was presented recently to honour the tomb and temple of Nguyen Thi Due, the first female doctoral laureate in Viet Nam’s feudal history, in northern Hai Duong province.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued the decision recognising the national relic site status in mid-2014.
Nguyen Thi Due, also known as Nguyen Ngoc Toan or Dieu Huyen, was born on March 14, 1574, in the place which is now Van An Ward.
At the age of 20, Due disguised herself as a man to take an examination held by King Mac Kinh Cung and won the top position. Though her ruse was discovered, the King forgave her, gave her the name “Tinh Phi”(Descended Star) and married her. He later assigned her to teach his other wives and concubines.
After the Mac dynasty was overthrown, she was still respected and entrusted with the educating of the palace women by the Le Kings and Trinh Lords.
She lived the last days of her life in her hometown and passed away when she was over 80 years old.
The tomb and temple of Nguyen Thi Due in Van An ward of Chi Linh township is among “Chi Linh bat co” – the eight renowned ancient relic sites in Chi Linh township..