A land of sages: A legacy of former elites and university professors in Vietnam

Using a unique dataset of 3,022 elites from the Ly to Nguyen dynasties (1075–1919) and 1,324 recent associate (and full) professors (2021–2023), we find that regions with more historical elites have more modern professors. Using the distance to the school exam venue and the distance to the coastal areas as instrumental variables, we establish such a causal relationship. In addition, social capital benefits those from areas dense with historical elites. We analyze data from temples, schools, and streets named after elites to identify cultural mechanisms linking historical elites to contemporary academic roles in Vietnam. This study demonstrates the lasting impact of historical traditions on human capital today in Confucian contexts.