Quoc Hoc – Hue High School for the Gifted, Hue

Quoc Hoc - the Hue High School for the Gifted is more than just an elite educational institution - it’s a timeless piece of Vietnamese history and architecture. Founded on October 23, 1896, by decree of Emperor Thanh Thai, its elegant French colonial design has endured for over a century. The iconic crimson-walled complex was built upon what once served as a royal naval headquarters, and today, it remains one of Vietnam’s largest and most stunning school grounds, complete with tree-lined pathways, spacious sports facilities, and stately classroom blocks.

The school is celebrated not only for its visual charm but also for its academic legacy. As one of the nation’s top magnet schools, Quoc Hoc consistently ranks among Vietnam’s top three high schools, including Chu Van An in Hanoi and Le Hong Phong in Ho Chi Minh City. Its rigorous, specialized curriculum has produced many distinguished alumni, among them President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, Prime Minister Phạm Van Dong, and several internationally recognized scholars.

Visitors often describe the school as a peaceful sanctuary where one can enjoy the refined architecture, tranquil gardens, and the gentle flutter of ao dai-clad students. The main courtyard, crowned with the bronze statue of Nguyen Tat Thanh (Ho Chi Minh) and inscribed with the school’s motto ''Talent is the vitality of a nation'', invites thoughtful reflection. It’s customary to visit in the afternoons on weekdays or anytime during weekends, when the campus is open and unhurried.

A stroll through Quoc Hoc – Hue is a poetic blend of colonial elegance and educational reverence-an ideal cultural stop for tourists seeking both history and beauty in Hue.