The great poet Nguyen Du in the cultural flow of Dong Nai

Not only is he a source of national pride for Vietnam, the great poet Nguyen Du is also vividly present in the spiritual life of the people of Dong Nai through various cultural and educational spaces.

Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Van Toi, Chairman of the Vietnam Folk Arts Association branch in Dong Nai (center), offers incense in commemoration of the 259th anniversary of the birth of the great poet Nguyen Du at Kieu Garden, Tam Hiep ward. Photo: My Ny

Honoring, preserving, and promoting the heritage of Nguyen Du is an act of gratitude towards a world-renowned cultural figure, contributing to the cultivation of a spiritual foundation and the development of well-rounded individuals in Dong Nai in the new era.

Nguyen Du in the cultural space of Tran Bien

310 years ago, the Tran Bien Temple of Literature was built by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu in Tan Lai village, Phuoc Chanh district (now Tran Bien ward, Dong Nai province) with the meaning of continuing and inheriting the cultural traditions of Thang Long - Hanoi, closely associated with the nation's territorial expansion. The Tran Bien Temple of Literature is considered a cultural and historical symbol, a source connecting the cultural values ​​of the Tran Bien - Dong Nai region.

The Tran Bien Temple of Literature reserves the most prominent place in the main hall for worshipping President Ho Chi Minh. The left side houses the ancestral tablets and worships of cultural figures associated with the Dong Nai region and the old Southern Vietnam, such as Vo Truong Toan, Dang Duc Thuat, Trinh Hoai Duc, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Bui Huu Nghia, Ngo Nhon Tinh, and Le Quang Dinh. The right side houses the ancestral tablets and worships of representative Vietnamese cultural figures, including Chu Van An, Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Le Quy Don, and Nguyen Du.

Members of the Dong Nai branch of the Nguyen Du Studies Association visited the Nguyen Du Garden in Tam Hiep ward to commemorate the 259th anniversary of the birth of the great poet Nguyen Du. Photo: My Ny

Notably, within the Tran Bien Cultural Figures Sculpture Garden, the statue of the cultural figure Nguyen Du is a familiar stop for students and literature enthusiasts from within and outside the province. Numerous field trips and extracurricular learning activities have been organized here, contributing to bringing The Tale of Kieu and other works of Nguyen Du closer to life, nurturing a love of literature, and building a cultural foundation for the younger generations of Dong Nai.

Nguyễn Du (1765-1820), whose given name was Tố Như and pen name was Thanh Hiên, was born into a family with a tradition of valuing literature and art, with many generations holding high positions under the Lê dynasty and Trịnh lords. His father, Nguyễn Nghiễm, was born in Tiên Điền village, Nghi Xuân district, Hà Tĩnh province (now Tiên Điền commune, Hà Tĩnh province), and held the position of Grand Minister (Prime Minister); his mother was Trần Thị Tần, from Bắc Ninh. Nguyễn Du's life was marked by many hardships; he was orphaned at a young age and lived during a turbulent period of history.

In 1783, Nguyen Du passed the Tam Truong examination. In 1802, when Gia Long ascended the throne, Nguyen Du was appointed District Chief of Phu Dung (Khoai Chau prefecture, Son Nam province); then he became Prefect of Thuong Tin, Son Nam province. In 1820, he was appointed Chief Envoy to China, but before he could leave, he fell ill and died on August 10th, the first year of the Minh Menh reign, at the age of 55.

For his exceptional contributions to national literature and world culture, the Party, the State, and the international community have repeatedly honored the great poet Nguyen Du. In particular, UNESCO recognized Nguyen Du as a World Cultural Figure in 2013.

The great poet Nguyen Du left behind many literary works in both Chinese and Vietnamese scripts, including: Thanh Hien Poetry Collection, Nam Trung Miscellaneous Poems, Bac Hanh Miscellaneous Records, Funeral Oration for Ten Categories of Beings, The Words of the Hat-Making Manor, The Funeral Oration for the Two Women of Truong Luu… Among them, The Tale of Kieu (original title: Doan Truong Tan Thanh) is a masterpiece of Vietnamese narrative poetry in the lục bát (six-eight) meter (3,254 lines) that brought Nguyen Du's name beyond national borders. To date, The Tale of Kieu has been translated into over 30 languages ​​worldwide, including over 15 French translations, over 10 English and Chinese translations, and 5 Japanese translations…

Dr. Nguyen Van Quyet, Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association of Dong Nai province, said: “The fact that the great poet Nguyen Du is respectfully worshipped in the main hall of Tran Bien Temple of Literature alongside other national cultural figures and ancestors not only shows gratitude but also reflects the tradition of studiousness and respect for teachers in Dong Nai province. In the context of increasingly deep international integration, the humanistic and humanitarian values ​​in Nguyen Du's legacy remain invaluable. This is the foundation for building a Dong Nai people who develop harmoniously in terms of knowledge, morality, and cultural identity.”

Nguyen Du in the contemporary life of the people of Dong Nai

Beyond cultural institutions, the name of the great poet Nguyen Du is also present in the daily lives of the people of Dong Nai. Many streets named after Nguyen Du in Dong Nai have become a familiar part of the city, helping to remember this world-renowned cultural figure and the historical and cultural values ​​within the rhythm of modern life.

In particular, many schools named after Nguyen Du are located in communes and wards throughout the province, such as Tran Bien, Dinh Quan, and Gia Kiem. These schools provide a platform for young people to access, learn about, and nurture their love for national culture and literature. Through teaching, extracurricular activities, reading The Tale of Kieu, and learning about Nguyen Du's life and career, students gradually absorb the humanistic values ​​and compassionate spirit that the great poet conveyed in his writings. From this, Nguyen Du's legacy is not only received as literary knowledge but also becomes a spiritual foundation, contributing to the formation of character and the enrichment of the souls of the younger generation.

Students at Nguyen Du Primary School in Tran Bien ward read books, draw pictures, and learn about the great poet Nguyen Du at the school library. Photo: My Ny

Nguyen Phan Anh, a student in class 5/4 at Nguyen Du Primary School in Tran Bien Ward, shared: “I am proud that my school is named after a world-renowned cultural figure. At school, I participate in activities, go to the library to read books, and learn about Nguyen Du. Thanks to this, I have gained a lot of useful historical knowledge about the great poet. The teachers often tell us stories about Nguyen Du and The Tale of Kieu. I have learned how to live with love, to share, and to strive to study well.”

To preserve and promote the heritage value of Nguyen Du's *Truyen Kieu*, the Dong Nai branch of the *Truyen Kieu* Studies Association was established in 2018 from the *Vuon Kieu* Garden Club in Binh Da ward (now Tam Hiep ward). To date, the branch has 32 members, including researchers and lovers of *Truyen Kieu* from within and outside the province. Members actively participate in competitions such as reciting *Truyen Kieu*, singing riddles about *Truyen Kieu*, and writing poetry in the style of *Truyen Kieu*; collecting materials, creating and publishing *Truyen Kieu* journals…

On the evening of December 20th, the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province organized a ceremony commemorating the 260th anniversary of the birth of the great poet Nguyen Du (1765-2025) at Thanh Sen Square, Thanh Sen ward, with the participation of nearly 700 delegates. The program was broadcast live on VTV1, Vietnam Television.

Having been a member of the Dong Nai branch of the Nguyen Du Studies Association for seven years, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh (residing in Ho Chi Minh City) said: “Participating in the Dong Nai branch of the Nguyen Du Studies Association provides me and other members with a space to interact and share our passion for literature, while also spreading the value of Nguyen Du's legacy to the community. Through readings of the Tale of Kieu, composing poems about the Tale of Kieu, etc., we hope to bring the Tale of Kieu closer to the people, especially the younger generation, so that they do not feel that the Tale of Kieu is distant but is a part of today's cultural life.”

The year 2025 marks the 260th anniversary of the birth of the great poet Nguyen Du (1765-2025). This is not only an occasion to remember and pay tribute to a world-renowned cultural figure, but also a significant activity that contributes to concretizing the Party's resolutions and conclusions on Vietnamese culture and people. Through this, it helps to build a spiritual foundation for a new era of strong, prosperous, and sustainable development, where the cultural identity of Vietnam in general, and Dong Nai in particular, is preserved and promoted within the flow of international integration.

My Ny

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202512/dai-thi-hao-nguyen-du-trong-dong-chay-van-hoa-dong-nai-76015db/