ExclusiveNguyen Thi Due: Vietnam's First and Only Woman Doctoral Laureate | Vietnam Within Us

Imagine, if you will, a time when women were not allowed to attend school, let alone enter the examination halls. Yet there was a young woman who quietly disguised herself as a man, concealing her true identity to take part in the imperial examinations. And remarkably, among hundreds of male candidates, she emerged as the top scholar. That young woman was Nguyễn Thị Duệ, the only woman to attain the highest scholarly distinction in the long history of Vietnam's imperial examination system. To open this October series celebrating feminine virtue, The Vietnam Within Us invites you to discover her remarkable story. Nguyễn Thị Duệ was born around 1574 in Kiệt Đắc, in what is now Chí Linh Hải Dương province. Growing up in a poor but scholarly Confucian family, She was known from an early age for her intelligence, love of reading, and literary talent. However, she lived in an era where society imposed strict limitation on women. The prevailing belief that men were superior to women denies girls the same opportunities for educations and examinations as boys. And so, she did something that few would have dared to imagine. At that time, although the Mạc Dynasty had retreated to Cao Bằng, it continued to hold imperial examinations to seek talented individuals. Nguyễn Thị Duệ disguised herself as a man, adopted the name Nguyễn Ngọc Du, and successfully passed the successive levels of the imperial examination system, the provincials, metropolitans, and palace examinations, ultimately ranking first when she was only in her early 20s. During the royal banquet celebrating the newly qualified scholar, The Mạc King noted that the young scholar had an unusually slender figure and delicate facial features. Suspicious of her appearance, he ordered an inquiry. The truth was soon revealed. The scholar who had ranked first in the entire country was in fact a woman. Disguising herself as a man to sit for the imperial examinations was considered a serious offense. Yet instead of punishing her, the king was deeply impressed by her extraordinary talent and determination. She was welcomed into the royal palace and later granted the title of royal consort with the honorific Tân Phi meaning falling star, radiant and beautiful like a star in the heavens. From then on, people affectionately call her Bà Chúa Sao Sa or the Lady of the Falling Star. Nguyễn Thị Duệ's life reveals another remarkable quality. Beneath her beauty and brilliance lay an unyielding spirit. In 1625, when the Mạc dynasty's stronghold in Cao Bằng fell, she took refugees in the small pagoda hidden deep in the forest, but was eventually captured by Lê Trịnh forces. According to legend, she drew a sword and boldly declared that if the soldiers treated her with disrespect, she would rather take her own life than suffer humiliations. Impressed by her courage and dignities, the Jin soldiers escorted her respectfully back to the capital. And once again, her intelligence saved her. Through her wise yet humble responses, she not only received a pardon but was also entrusted with important responsibilities. Perhaps, however, what later generations remember most about Nguyễn Thị Duệ It's not her daring decision to disguise herself as a man, but what she accomplished afterward. Under both the Mạc and Lê Trịnh administrations, she was tasked with educational responsibilities. She taught within the royal palace and was granted the official position of Lễ Nghi Học Sĩ, along with the title Nghi Ái Quang. of the examination papers from the metropolitans and palace examinations passed through her hands for evaluation. Kings and lords also frequently sought her assistance in reviewing important memorials and literary works. In her later years, she returned to her hometown where she established a small teaching retreat, organized educational gatherings for local students, provided financial support to talented but impoverished scholars, and devoted herself to numerous charitable activities. Throughout her life, she never kept her talents solely for herself. Instead, She dedicated them to nurturing future generations of scholars. Reflecting on Nguyễn Thị Duệ's life, we come to understand the concept of nữ đức, feminine virtues, in a broader and more profound way. We come to realize that a woman virtuous is not defined solely by gentleness, modesty, or skill in managing family life. It is also the courage to overcome prejudice in pursuit of knowledge, the strength of characters to refuse humiliation, the humility to remain grounded despite exceptional talent, and the generosity to devote one's ability to the good of others. Nguyễn Thị Duệ embodies both exceptional talent and noble virtue. Her tombstone bears an inscription praising her extraordinary wisdom and character, which serves as a shining example across three successive royal reigns. Lord Trinh also honors her with a commemorative stone inscription bestowing upon her the title Chính Vương Phủ Thị Nội Cùng Tần Đức Lão Lệ Sư Virtuous Royal Educator and granted land to provide for the continued worship of her memory. The villagers of Kiệt Đặc likewise built a small shrine dedicated to Nguyễn Thị Duệ whom they revered as the Lady of the Falling Star. Inside the shrine hangs a horizontal inscribed board accompanied by a pair of traditional parallel verses. The couplets celebrate her achievement as the top scholar in the Kao Vang examinations and honor her enduring scholarly and literary legacy. Today, at the Mao Dien Temple of Literature in Hai Du, a place dedicated to Confucius and some of Vietnam's most celebrated Confucian scholars, including Du Van An, Nguyen Trai, and Nguyen Minh Kim, stands a particularly special bronze statue. It is the statue of the Lady of the Falling Star. Her name also lives on through street and school in numerous Vietnamese cities. Her story reminds us once again of a timeless truth. The beauty of Vietnamese women has never been defined by gentleness alone. It also lies in their wisdom, courage, and indomitable spirit.