The first cultural code of conduct of Hue city

Mr. Nguyen Lan, the first Vietnamese to be appointed as Governor of Thuan Hoa City (previously, this position was held by French people), had a public action plan with the city's people. For readers' reference, we would like to introduce the original text of the Declaration, considered the first cultural code of conduct in Hue , proposed by Governor Nguyen Lan:

"I am grateful to His Majesty for appointing me as Governor of Thuan Hoa City.

When I begin my work, I would like to announce the following minimum program, hoping that the people in the city will help me fulfill my duties, so as not to disappoint the trust of His Majesty, the trust of the Cabinet and the expectations of the people:

1. Eradicate traces of the French: Rename streets; repair the memorial to the fallen soldiers into a monument commemorating the day of the declaration of independence;

2. Eliminate gambling: At this time, whether men or women, regardless of their status, if they gather in groups of three or five who are addicted to gambling, they will be arrested and brought to court, and severely punished;

3. Eliminate black market;

4. Eliminate begging: Will cooperate with the central relief council to build orphanages and almshouses, to force the poor to learn a trade and work;

5. Eliminate bribery: Anyone who intends to bribe an official as well as those who accept bribes will be brought to court and sentenced very severely;

6. Reorganize the police force to maintain order;

7. Take care of public hygiene: Set up places to dump garbage; repair bridges and drains; prohibit defecation on roadsides, river banks and shelters (those who defecate will be fined, and if they repeat the offense, they will be given signs to guide them through the streets);

8. Repaint the lines, depending on budget;

9. Establish a council, consisting of enthusiastic people from all walks of life;

10. Distribute food fairly: Anyone who falsely declares a salary restriction card will be sentenced to a very heavy fine;

11. Control market taxation for fairness;

12. Reorganize the popular prisons;

13. Ask young people to use their free time to do public works: Dig shelters for each person; plant cassava on both sides of the river and in wastelands to feed the poor who go begging for food to help the Relief Committee; make handicrafts to sell to raise money to help the poor;

14. Control the measurement in the city to be fair and advise the people to follow the metric system;

15. Reorganize passive defense.

I will try to do these tasks to the best of my ability. Whether or not they are successful depends on the sincerity and enthusiasm of the city's people towards public affairs.

There is no time like this when the government and the people must work together; there is no time like this when we must advise each other: Work enthusiastically and obey discipline!

As for me, I will take the following sentence of Tran Hung Dao as a motto for governance: "The law of the country does not respect family ties."

Thuan Hoa, May 28, 1945.

Director: Nguyen Lan

Today, re-reading and reflecting on the 15 regulations on managing and building a cultured and civilized lifestyle for Hue people proposed by the Governor of Thuan Hoa city 78 years ago, there are some things that still hold true.

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