On the morning of August 22, the Vietnam National Museum of History (loacted at 216 Tran Quang Khai Street, Hanoi) held the opening ceremony of the thematic exhibition “Popular Education - Lighting the Future”. This event commemorates the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025)."
Panorama of the opening ceremony
Dr. Nguyen Van Doan - Director of VNMH giving a speech at the opening ceremony
Delegates in ribbon cutting ceremony
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Prof. Dr. Luu Tran Tieu - Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council; Mr. Tran Dinh Thanh - Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Van Tru - Chairman of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Mai Hung - Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences; Mr. Pham Tuan Long - Party Secretary and Chairman of the People’s Council of Cua Nam Ward; Dr. Nguyen Van Doan, Director of the Vietnam National Museum of History; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh - Vice Rector of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology; representatives from various museums and heritage sites; representatives of the family of teacher Vuong Kiem Toan- former Director General of the Popular Education Department; teacher Nguyen Phong Nien - former researcher at the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences; along with representatives of new agencies and television stations.
Nearly 160 photos, documents and artefacts are on display, showcasing various aspects of the Popular Educaion movement. Higlights includeParty policies, a letter from President Ho Chi Minh addressed to officials, teachers, and learners; collections of journals and bulletins from local Popualar Education agencies; teaching materials and learning tools; newspapers and propaganda posters related to the movement. The exhibition is organised into the following sections:
Section 1: Fighting Illiteracy - A Silent War
Section 2: The Spread of Knowledge
Section 3: From Popular Education to Lifelong Learning
At this exhibition, many artifacts are being presented to the public for the first time, including:
- President Ho Chi Minh’s letter of commendation to soldiers of Zones 2 and 3 for their achievements in eradicating illiteracy (February 24, 1948). published in 1946;
- The book “Methods and Approaches to Teaching Basic Literacy in Quốc ngữ”
- The special issue “Popular Education” published by the Central Popular Education Department in 1947, recording the names, positions, and hometowns of 17 martyrs of the campaign who sacrificed their lives between 1946–1947.
- The appeal issued by the Director General of the Popular Education Department on September 8, 1949;
- A badge created by political prisoners in Con Dao in 1951 to encourage participation in the Popular Education campaign inside the prison; a collection of students’ learning tools; a notebook of impressions written by leaders and intellectuals about the Popular Education campaign;
- A certificate awarded to “Families Free of Illiteracy”;
- A technological product developed by the Lab EDABK student group of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
Delegates visiting the thematic exhibition
The exhibition offers the public a deeper understanding of the movement that was launched 80 years ago. President Ho Chi Minh initiated a movement to eradicate illiteracy, demonstrating his far-sighted vision and desire to bring knowledge to the people. Popular education was not only about learning to read and write but also about awakening civic responsibility, nurturing self-reliance, and strengthening national solidarity. from the very first letters taught decades ago to the ongoing
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Nguyen Van Doan emphasized that the exhibition reflects thepassion for learning, the love of knowledge, and belief in literacy - Digital Popular Education movement today. The exhibition also honors teachers and learners who helped millions achieve literacy, thereby laying a foundation for the nation’s long-term development. In the digital era, this spirit of learning continues to inspire, supported by data, connectivity, and smart technology.
The book “Methods and Approaches to Teaching Basic Literacy in Quốc ngữ”, published in Hanoi in 1946, includes on its second page a message from President Ho Chi Minh to teachers
The badge created in 1951 by political prisoners on Con Dao to encourage the campaign inside the prison
Some documents and artifacts are presented at the thematic exhibition.
A technological product developed by the Lab EDABK student group of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology
The Vietnam National Museum of History also hosted a meeting with historical witnesses, including teachers and students who directly participated in the Popular Education movement. Their stories highlighted devotion, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of learning, inspiring the next generation to carry forward their educational legacy.
Visitors engaging in conversations with former participants of the Popular Education campaig
Besides, the museum has received new donations, including documents and artefacts from the families of Nguyen Phong Nien, Vuong Manh Thai. Additionally, a Brain-EDABK chip was contributed by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh, Vice Rector of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
Furthermore, the museum has introduced an Augmented Reality (AR) application that utilizes Visual Positioning System (VPS) technology for both its permanent exhibition and the special exhibition “Popular Education - Lighting the Future”. This application was developed in partnership with Viettel High Tech.
Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, Deputy Director of the VNMH presenting a certificate of donation to Mr. Vuong Manh Thai, who represented the family of teacher Vuong Kiem Toan
Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, Deputy Director of the VNMH presenting a certificate of donation to teacher Nguyen Phong Nien
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh, Vice Rector of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology presenting an artifact to the VNMH
The exhibition will be open from August 22, 2025, until December 2025.