SOME FEATURES OF BINH DINH’S REGIONAL EXAMINATIONS UNDER THE NGUYEN DYNASTY
Abstract
In the history of the examinations of Confucianism in the Nguyen Dynasty, the first examination was held by Binh Dinh “Huong Examination” (inter-provincial examination) council in 1852. From that time on, this examinations council organized 23 examinations including the last examination in 1918. Regardless of the fact that An Giang examinations council held only one examination in 1864, and then it had its name deleted because it was occupied by the French, the Binh Dinh council was the 7th council – the latest coming into being, after the re-established Thanh Hoa examinations council (1848). The article presents some general features of Binh Dinh “Huong Examination” (inter-provincial examination) council on the following aspects: position, size, examination schedule, examiners, rules, achievements..., contributing to the further study on “Huong Examination” in particular and the study of the examinations of Confucianism in general in the Nguyen Dynasty.