Contributing to the body of research materials about the Can Tho region.

At the recent Can Tho City Book Fair, authors coincidentally introduced many scholarly works about the Can Tho region. These books, along with the existing local history materials at the Can Tho City Library, have contributed to enriching the body of scholarly research, meeting the needs of readers seeking information and conducting research.

Dr. Tang Tan Loc shared his insights on the Southern Vietnamese dialect, which bears the imprint of the riverine culture.

“Why do Vietnamese people call their country ‘Nuoc’ (Water)?” Dr. Tang Tan Loc posed this question to students during a book launch. It was a very good question, about a familiar issue, but not one with a satisfactory answer. The students pointed out that the concept is closely linked to the riverine life of the Vietnamese people, as in the proverbs “A tree has roots, a water has a source,” “A beautiful landscape,” “The nation and its people,” and “The country”… and were satisfied when the doctor from Tay Do University provided a more complete explanation through academic research. Dr. Tang Tan Loc's book, “Vietnamese Language & Southern Culture – A Perspective,” also contains many other interesting studies on the cultural beauty and language of Southern Vietnam, especially the dialects deeply rooted in the riverine culture. Dr. Tang Tan Loc also clarifies the influence of rivers and waterways on the culture and character of the people of Southern Vietnam. This work was awarded the B Prize – Literature and Arts Award 2023 by the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations .

Author Thai Ngoc Anh, with his work "A Study of Can Tho Folk Culture," also contributes to clarifying the cultural landscape of the Western Capital region in terms of both material and spiritual culture. As someone with many years of experience working in the cultural field in Can Tho City, author Thai Ngoc Anh provides readers with research that is both theoretical and practical. According to him, Can Tho folk culture still has much to discuss and research, and the younger generation needs to delve deeper to better understand their homeland.

A young representative of Can Tho folklore research is author Truong Tai Linh, born in the 1990s, with his book "Exploring Can Tho Folklore in the Heritage Region." Truong Tai Linh not only shared about his book but also inspired young people to boldly explore and research Can Tho's culture. He said: "Only by exploring and researching can you see how rich and diverse Can Tho's culture is." Nguyen Van Khanh, a student from Tan An ward, shared: "The interactions with the author helped me understand my local culture better. This is also a valuable resource for me to learn about local culture more effectively."

Previously, numerous research and compilation works on Can Tho culture by authors such as Nham Hung, Tran Phong Dieu, and members of the Can Tho Folk Arts Association... have been effective in forming the rich collection of local history documents at the Can Tho City Library. This continuity across generations has created a vibrant flow of knowledge, providing a wealth of materials that opens up deeper insights into the culture and people of Tay Do (Can Tho). In the context of the ever-increasing need for learning and research, further supplementing and enriching this local history resource is essential. As these books continue to be written, read, and disseminated, Can Tho, with its unique cultural identity, will be further explored, nurtured, and shine brighter in contemporary life.

Text and photos: DUY KHÔI

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/gop-them-tai-lieu-bien-khao-ve-vung-dat-can-tho-a203570.html