DOCTORAL STELE GARDEN AREA AND THIEN QUANG WELL

The Doctoral Stele Garden is a particularly important feature within the heritage site. At the center of the stele garden lies a square well known as "Thien Quang Tinh". This ancient square well measures 30m×30m, surrounded by a brick balustrade, with brick staircases descending on both the east and west sides. The well holds water year-round, its surface calm, clear and serene.

On both the east and west sides of the well stand rows of Doctoral Steles. The first stone steles were erected in 1484 under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong to honor talented individuals and encourage learning for both the present and future generations. Today, 82 steles remain, each inscribed with the names and hometown of 1,304 doctoral graduates who passed examinations across 82 examination sessions from 1442 to 1779.

In 1994, rows of stele shelters were constructed to protect the Doctoral Steles. The 8 rows of shelters are modest in size, harmonizing with the two central stele pavilions. The roof support system uses wooden columns, topped with traditional curved tile roofing. The addition of the eight rows of stele shelters has also transformed the third spatial layer into a complete and cohesive architectural complex.