Lord Nguyen and the legends of opening up the South

The book Lord Nguyen and the anecdotes of the opening of the Southern land by teacher and researcher Nguyen Huu Hieu, recently published by the National Political Publishing House Truth, is a remarkable work that contributes to bringing history closer to modern readers.

Lord Nguyen and the legends of opening up the South

The work not only simply recounts historical events but also introduces folk anecdotes, combined with quotes from official histories such as Dai Nam Thuc Luc , Quoc Trieu Chinh Bien , Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu ... and many documents recorded by foreigners.

Instead of narrating in a dry chronicle style, the work recreates the process of the Vietnamese people's expansion to the South through short, concise, expressive anecdotes, combined with concise comments at the end of each story.

From the story of Nguyen Hoang asking to guard Thuan Hoa land according to the prophecy "Hoanh Son nhat dai, van dai dung than" by Trang Trinh Nguyen Binh Khiem, opening the two-century long process of Southward expansion to the marriage between Princess Ngoc Van and King Chey Chettha II of Cambodia, laying the foundation for the formation of Saigon - Gia Dinh land, each anecdote is closely led with quotes from official history, folk documents and foreign records.

A special highlight is the role of women in the land reclamation process. Princess Ngoc Van emerged not only as a symbol of beauty, but also as a bridge connecting the two countries politically and culturally, contributing to bringing Vietnamese people to live in Prey Nokor (present-day Saigon), organizing trade and building the community. Folk details such as the fact that she was worshiped under the title "Co Chin" in the South also show the enduring vitality of community memory beyond the framework of official history.

Besides anecdotes about Nguyen Huu Canh and Mac Cuu, who contributed to establishing Dai Viet's sovereignty in the South, the book also outlines the cultural and social life in the early stages of exploration: from customs and beliefs to the interaction between the Vietnamese and the indigenous people, the Chinese, the Cambodians and the West.

Not a substitute for official history, the work is a historical “storyteller”, making the past a part of today's spiritual life.

MAI AN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/chua-nguyen-va-cac-giai-thoai-mo-dat-phuong-nam-post801507.html