(VOVworld) - A collection of 82 doctoral laureate steles at Hanoi’s Van Mieu - Temple of Literature, which was the country’s first university, has been recognized as national treasure.

A ceremony to announce the recognition was held by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports on November 23.

Visitors at the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

The 82 stone steles are carved with the names of those who passed royal doctoral examinations between 1484 and 1780 under the Early Le, Mac and Late Le dynasties.

The stone slabs are placed on the backs of stone tortoises, which symbolize longevity and permanence.

They can be considered as a unique sculptural work reflecting a great value of sculpture throughout the history of Vietnam.

Each composition engraved on the steles is highly regarded for its remarkable literature valuable in terms of art and ideology.

The steles were recognized by UNESCO as a world documentary heritage in the Asia-Pacific region in March 2010 and on a global scale in July 2011.

Head of the department To Van Dong said that the recognition is an honor to Hanoi. It also requires local authorities to do more to preserve and promote the heritage’s cultural value.

On the occasion, the department held an exhibition featuring 100 documents and artifacts on the doctoral steles in Hanoi, the ancient imperial city of Hue, and the northern provinces of Hung Yen and Bac Ninh.