“Beautiful Thanh Hoa” through the notes of a French scholar

The book “Beautiful Thanh Hoa” (2022, Thanh Hoa Publishing House) is 14.5X20.5cm in size and has nearly 200 pages. The book’s content was translated by authors Nguyen Xuan Duong – Lam Phuc Giap from the original French version “Thanh Hoa pittoresque” written by French scholar Le Breton, published in 1922. The original copy is currently kept at Thanh Hoa Library. Like a handbook, a travel guide, Le Breton has realistically and sharply portrayed, spreading the beauty of Thanh land and people.

The book "Beautiful Thanh Hoa" by scholar Le Breton was translated by Nguyen Xuan Duong - Lam Phuc Giap from the original French, published by Thanh Hoa Publishing House.

Before embarking on the journey to explore Thanh Hoa, scholar Le Breton was very astute in providing readers with the most general knowledge about geography, administrative units, and changes in boundaries and names: “The landscape of Thanh Hoa is not different from the North, but it is more pleasing to the eye and more beautiful because the Ma River Delta is much smaller than the Red River Delta, the boring monotony of flooded rice fields is often interrupted by limestone cliffs and green hills scattered throughout the delta”; “among the chaotic cliffs, the strange, rugged, uneven shapes are reminiscent of the steep cliffs of caves and underground grottoes in Ha Long Bay”... To the typical features of history, revolutionary traditions, and cultural values ​​of Thanh Hoa: “It is thought that Thanh Hoa can become the center of resistance against the French. This is a very wise idea because the history of Annam has shown that Thanh Hoa has always been a holy land, a place where all the hopes of the nation are deposited" (Thanh Hoa, the place where the great heroic epics of Annam's history took place)...

With a unique perspective, smooth writing style, rich in imagery, and broad knowledge of scholar Le Breton, the "appearance" or "inner self" of Thanh land evokes much affection: Thanh land - the land "with the most beautiful nature, as well as the richest historical memories or legends in Indochina"; "holding on and charming as a region with many memories of a legendary and great past"...

The author is like a professional, dedicated and thoughtful tour guide when providing readers with places to visit and not to be missed when traveling to Thanh land. These are typical scenic spots, historical - cultural - spiritual relics listed by district-level administrative units such as: Truong Nguyen Tomb, Long Cam Pagoda (Ha Trung); Bich Dao Cave, Bach A Cave, Van Nham (Nga Son); Ho Dynasty Citadel, Xuan Dai Mountain, Kim Son Mountain (Vinh Loc); Ba Trieu Temple (Hau Loc); Tam Thai Mountain, Dan Ne Village (Yen Dinh); Ban A Mountain, Dai Hung Pagoda (Thieu Hoa Prefecture, now Thanh Hoa City - PV); Nua Mountain (Nong Cong District); Thai Temple of the Later Le Dynasty; Ham Rong; Sam Son... Scholar Le Breton's precise and delicate points about the unique features in the picture of Thanh tourism.

Reading the book “Beautiful Thanh Hoa”, readers have the opportunity to broaden their understanding and knowledge about some of the unique scenic spots and relics of Thanh Hoa in the past and present. From there, each person will have a perspective, comparing history and the present to see the beauty and enduring vitality, the efforts to preserve and promote the value of scenic spots and relics of generations of people here before the impact of time and historical changes.

Following the footsteps of scholar Le Breton, the journey to explore Thanh Hoa begins from Thanh Hoa town (now Thanh Hoa city - PV), which the author calls the "tourist center". Documents about the ancient Thanh Hoa provincial capital open up many more layers of knowledge for today's generations of readers: "The town can be divided into 3 areas from west to east: Thanh Noi area, our area and the West area. Thanh Hoa citadel is located in Tho Hac village, initially built with earth, and in the 9th year of Minh Mang, it was rebuilt with bricks (1829) in the Vauban style like the citadels built in Central Vietnam and South Vietnam by Olivier de Paynamel, one of the French who assisted King Gia Long, recruited by Bishop of Adran, Pigneau de Behaine at the end of the 18th century. 1,200 Thanh Hoa soldiers and 2,100 Nghe An soldiers built the citadel under the command of Captain (equivalent to Colonel) Le Van Hieu and garrison commander Ngo Van Vinh - opened 4 gates in 4 main directions but the southern gate was not opened"...

From the “tourist center” of Thanh Hoa, Le Breton’s pen takes readers to many places. To the sea land of Sam Son – “the most wonderful resort to restore health, because this place allows complete rest and is not just a simple beach; moreover, the sea water here is much clearer”. Since then, Sam Son has been “worthy” of being a coastal tourist city with: “The boulevard of the beach stretches nearly 3km... Along the boulevard are private residences, and there are the buildings of the Steel Wire Association, the Luc Lo office, the Doan house, the villa of the Ninh Binh consul and the Governor-General’s palace. The villa of the Thanh Hoa consulate with beautiful ironwood columns was built near Doc Cuoc temple..., there is the Des Rochers villa built on a steep promontory at the foot of the province’s waves for officials to relax”...

Take a tour around Thanh Hoa through the notes of French scholar Le Breton to gain more understanding and pride in the natural beauty and the depth of history and culture that has been deposited for thousands of years. From the perspective of famous national historians or under the pen of French scholars, the role, position and contributions of Thanh Hoa in history have always been recognized and highly appreciated: "Thanh Hoa is not just an ordinary administrative unit, it is an entire Country".

The book “Beautiful Thanh Hoa” encapsulates all the passion, feelings and knowledge of French scholar Le Breton for Thanh Hoa – the land to which he was once attached.

Article and photos: Hoang Linh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thanh-hoa-tuoi-dep-qua-nhung-ghi-chep-cua-hoc-gia-nguoi-phap-239775.htm