Reign title: Hồng Đức XXVII (1496)

Erection time: on 6th of 12th Lunar month of 27th Hồng Đức reign title (1496)

Size of stele: 169cm in height, 118cm in width, 19cm in thickness. 

Shape: Flat, stone gray color

The pediment of the stele is undecorated. The stele edge are carved with flowering vines. The stele belongs to the early Lê Dynasty, so it features finely carved calligraphy and delicate floral motifs.

Stele of doctoral laureates of Bính Thìn royal exam, Reign title: Hồng Đức 27 (1496) under Emperor Lê Thánh Tông was set up on the 6th day of the 12th lunar month the same year. Thirty candidates were selected from this exam. The King rated the laureates: Nghiêm Viện to the Trạng nguyên (1st-grade laureate); Nguyễn Huân to the Bảng nhãn (2nd-grade laureate); Đinh Lưu to the Thám hoa (3rd-grade laureate). 2nd class doctoral laureates: eight persons. 3rd class doctoral laureates: nineteen persons.

Doctoral laureates were granted dignities in accordance with the established rules. Then the Ministry of Public Works was ordered to set up a stone stele in their honour. Academician Lưu Hưng Hiếu (title: Hiển Cung đại phu, Hàn lâm viện Thị giảng, tham Chưởng Hàn lâm viện sự) was assigned to compose a text for inscription. The inscription clarifies the responsibilities and duties of intellectuals towards the country: “they should display their genuine abilities and not seek the vanity of fame. Their literary creativity should demonstrate an unbending spirit and geniality and their work should be substantial and long-lasting”.

By the King's order

Calligrapher: Civil Mandarin Nguyễn Đức (Title: Cẩn sự lang Trung thư giám chính tự) 

The stele title was scripted in the ancient Chinese of seal style (Triện) by Civil Mandarin Tô Ngại (Title: Mậu lâm lang kim quang môn đãi chế)