From the foundation built through the relationship between King Quang Trung and the philosopher Nguyen Thiep more than 200 years ago, up to now, through many historical periods, the relationship between Ha Tinh and Binh Dinh has become increasingly close and developed.
King Quang Trung and La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep. Illustration photo.
The king respects talented people, the minister serves the great cause.
According to Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Quang Hong (Faculty of History, Vinh University) - who has done many studies on La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep, there are few kings in the dynasties of Vietnamese history who are as humble as King Quang Trung in seeking talents. And there are also few famous scholars with such a heroic personality as La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep when clearly expressing his own stance and will in the face of fame, wealth, and power.
According to historical documents, Nguyen Thiep (1723-1804) was from Mat village, Nguyet Ao commune, Lai Thach commune (La Son district, Duc Quang prefecture), now Kim Song Truong commune (Can Loc, Ha Tinh). He was an outstandingly talented person, "well-versed in astronomy and geography". In 1768, after serving as an official for the Le dynasty, Nguyen Thiep resigned from his position and went to Bui Phong mountain (in Thien Nhan range, in Nam Kim commune, Nam Dan, Nghe An today) to live in seclusion. Here, he read books, taught and farmed, living a poor life, not caring about fame or fortune.
La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep Temple in Kim Song Truong Commune (Can Loc, Ha Tinh).
From 1786 to the end of 1788, Nguyen Hue led his troops to the North three times to quell the rebellion, and three times sent letters inviting Nguyen Thiep to assist him, along with generous gifts. However, the first time he refused; the second time, Nguyen Thiep met and had a happy conversation but then asked to retire. By the end of 1788, when Le Chieu Thong brought more than 290,000 Qing troops to invade our country, King Quang Trung from Phu Xuan (Hue) sent troops to quell the enemy, and then Nguyen Thiep officially accepted. Thanks to the advice of Nguyen Thiep and other talented people, Nguyen Hue defeated the invading Qing army, reclaiming the country's mountains and rivers in the spring of Ky Dau (1789).
The old house foundation of La Son Phu Tu is located on Bui Phong mountain (Nam Kim commune, Nam Dan, Nghe An), which is also the Sung Chinh Institute established by King Quang Trung and assigned to Nguyen Thiep as the master.
Continuing to help Nguyen Hue revive the country, Nguyen Thiep was appointed by the king as the Chief Examiner of the Huong examination in Nghe An, and then was assigned to hold the position of Director of the Sung Chinh Institute (established at Nguyen Thiep's residence) in charge of translating Chinese books into Nom, implementing educational reform measures, and training talented people. He was also trusted by the king to choose land and prepare for the construction of Phuong Hoang Trung Do with other famous scholars...
In 1792, King Quang Trung suddenly passed away. Nguyen Thiep, although 69 years old, was still enthusiastic in going to Phu Xuan to help King Canh Thinh. However, realizing that the times had changed, he returned all his salary and asked to return to Bui Phong mountain, until his death in 1804.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Quang Hong (right, Faculty of History, Vinh University) and staff of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Tinh province next to a remaining part of the wall of the Sung Chinh Institute on Bui Phong mountain.
Although the time of meeting between King Quang Trung Nguyen Hue and La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep was not much, both sides had a lot of good feelings for each other. King Quang Trung showed himself to be a wise and brilliant king who valued talented people as the vitality of the nation, wholeheartedly treating and favoring Nguyen Thiep. Even the title La Son Phu Tu that King Quang Trung gave Nguyen Thiep also said that. On Nguyen Thiep's side, it showed that he was a loyal subject, wholeheartedly supporting King Quang Trung, not only in the great victory over the Qing army in 1789 but also in the cause of national revival. The relationship between king and subject between Quang Trung - Nguyen Thiep was not only that of king - subject but also that of bosom friends, soul mates between talented people for the great cause, repelling foreign invaders, gaining national independence, and building and developing the country.
Ha Tinh - Binh Dinh continue the "predestined relationship" of their ancestors
In early October 2023, at the invitation of Ha Tinh Provincial Library, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh - Deputy Director of Binh Dinh Provincial Library had a very special business trip to Ha Tinh. That was to be a lecturer at the training course on technology transfer of VietBiblio software application for more than 140 staff and teachers of district-level libraries and schools in 13/13 districts, cities and towns of Ha Tinh.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh - Deputy Director of Binh Dinh Provincial Library was a lecturer at the training course on transferring VietBiblio software technology to staff of district, commune and school libraries in Ha Tinh recently.
In the opening story of the training course, Mr. Sinh introduced: “For us, the people of Binh Dinh, the land and people of Ha Tinh have a very special position. Mentioning the hometown of La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep, the fatherland of poet Xuan Dieu is something very dear and close. Among them, we always remember cadres like Mr. Tran Van Tu (former Deputy Director of Binh Dinh Provincial Library in 1975), who brought the first boxes of books from Ha Tinh to establish Binh Dinh Provincial Library as it is today. Therefore, I feel very happy to be in Ha Tinh today, to convey and transfer this software to you.”
According to Mr. Mai Quoc Quyen - Director of the Provincial Library, the VietBiblio shared library management system has been invested in and built by Binh Dinh province for many years with an annual maintenance cost of billions of VND. The superior software using cloud computing technology supports the library system across the province to synchronize information management, contributing to the implementation of criteria in digital transformation of the library sector, and improving reading culture for the people. Grasping the information, Mr. Quyen contacted to express his desire to receive support and was accepted by Binh Dinh Provincial Library. In addition to completely free support of digital technology resources, Binh Dinh Library also sent leaders to Ha Tinh to transfer technology.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh - Deputy Director of Binh Dinh Provincial Library (left) talked with Mr. Mai Quoc Quyen - Director of Ha Tinh Provincial Library during a business trip to the hometown of La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep.
The story of Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Sinh reminds us of the relationship between Binh Dinh and Ha Tinh from the past to the present. That was in 1960, the Party and the State advocated the implementation of the twinning movement between the Northern and Southern provinces to support each other in the resistance war against the US, then rebuild the homeland after the war. As a fate, Ha Tinh and Binh Dinh became two twin provinces. During those years, Ha Tinh sent hundreds of cadres from many fields to help Binh Dinh. There were 8 districts and towns of Ha Tinh at that time twinned with 8 districts and towns of Binh Dinh, together launching many movements, successfully implementing many plans such as: "Promoting the victory of March 26 (1965), Binh Ha determined to win"; Bong Son irrigation campaign (Binh Dinh)... Those results have further enhanced the solidarity between Binh Dinh and Ha Tinh and the spirit of turning towards the beloved South.
Looking for Ha Tinh cadres who came to help Binh Dinh during the years of the war against America, I was lucky to meet Mr. Nguyen Quy (born in 1936) in Luy village (Kim Song Truong commune, Can Loc).
Mr. Nguyen Quy (Luy village, Kim Song Truong commune, Can Loc) was a Ha Tinh cadre who supported Binh Dinh during the years of resistance against the US.
In 1954, after enlisting in Division 316, Regiment 174, participating in the victorious Dien Bien Phu Campaign, Mr. Quy followed his unit to work in several Northwestern provinces. During the years 1966 - 1968, he was sent to study at the University of Agriculture 1 (Hanoi). After graduating, he was sent by the province to Binh Dinh to support the neighboring province. From 1969 - 1975, Mr. Quy was an officer of the Agriculture Department of Binh Dinh province, then appointed as Head of the Agriculture Department of Tuy Phuoc district (1976 - 1979). In 1980 - 1985, he returned to work as Head of the Agriculture Department of Can Loc district, then retired.
What is special that few people know is that Mr. Nguyen Quy is the 7th generation descendant of La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep in Luy village, Kim Song Truong commune.
Mr. Nguyen Quy (back row, 3rd from left) took a souvenir photo with leaders of Binh Dinh province and comrades in the Ha Tinh delegation to support the neighboring province, in 1969. Photo: Provided by the character.
Mr. Nguyen Quy said: “During my time working in Binh Dinh, I always received the love and support of leaders at all levels and the people. During the years in the province, from when Binh Dinh was not yet completely liberated, until after 1975, I have many memories. Among them, the most impressive thing for me is that every time mentioning the historical tradition of my homeland, the relationship between King Quang Trung and La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep, every Binh Dinh citizen expressed their respect and affection for their ancestors. Perhaps that is also what makes the relationship between the two provinces close and strong.”
Mr. Nguyen Quy and descendants of the Nguyen Thiep family next to a souvenir tamarind tree, planted by the leaders of Binh Dinh province in the grounds of La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep Temple.
Promoting the relationship between the ancestors, over the past decades, the solidarity between Binh Dinh and Ha Tinh has become increasingly strong. The 50th and 55th anniversaries of the twinning relationship have been organized by the two provinces, thereby strengthening the relationship of friendship and supporting each other to develop and grow. In 2016, a businessman who is a native of Binh Dinh also supported Ha Tinh with nearly 10 billion VND to renovate and embellish the national historical relic La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep Temple...
Most recently, Can Loc district (Ha Tinh) and Tuy Phuoc (Binh Dinh) - two twinned localities have discussed and held a ceremony to place a statue of Nguyen Thiep at Can Loc park (Tuy Phuoc town) on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of La Son Phu Tu's birth. Previously, Tuy Phuoc also placed a statue of the famous person Dao Tan at Tuy Phuoc park (Nghen town, Can Loc)...
Cultural officials from Can Loc district (Ha Tinh) and Tuy Phuoc district (Binh Dinh) took souvenir photos in front of the statue of Nguyen Thiep which was recently placed at Can Loc park (Tuy Phuoc town, Tuy Phuoc district, Binh Dinh province).
It can be said that the relationship between King Quang Trung and La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep more than 2 centuries ago laid the foundation for Binh Dinh - Ha Tinh today to be more affectionate, continuing to hold hands to develop the homeland of the two famous people.
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