The Nguyen Tien Dien family in the flow of national culture

(Baohatinh.vn) - "When the Ngan Hong River runs out of trees, and the Rum River runs dry, then this family will have no more officials" - this folk song has long been an affirmation of the brilliant scholarly tradition of the Nguyen Tien Dien family. In the flow of national culture, few families are as renowned for their literary achievements and as persistent in their scholarship as the Nguyen family in this land of outstanding people and rich history.

One winter afternoon, on the road leading to the Nguyen Du Memorial National Special Monument (Tien Dien commune), I followed the descendants of the Nguyen Tien Dien family returning to the ancestral shrine.

The Nguyen Du Memorial Area, a special national historical site, attracts a large number of visitors.

Amidst the ancient setting, each moss-covered tile, each simple yet exquisite carving, seems to gently awaken layers of time's sediment, recounting the glorious journey of a distinguished family that has contributed many talented individuals to the nation.

In that sacred place, one can more clearly feel the enduring cultural current, brilliantly crystallized in the legacy of Nguyen Du - The Tale of Kieu, and flowing throughout centuries of national culture.

That cultural tradition began in the early 17th century, when Mr. Nguyen Nhiem, originally from Son Nam town (now part of Hanoi ), settled in Tien Dien (now Nghi Xuan commune). He guided the residents in building dikes, preventing saltwater intrusion, and transforming barren land into fertile fields.

The ancestral temple of the Nguyen Tien Dien clan is a well-built structure located within the grounds of the Nguyen Du memorial site.

From that first ancestor, the Nguyen Tien Dien family gradually grew stronger, especially flourishing in the sixth generation with the emergence of many outstanding figures such as: the great King and Doctor Nguyen Hue, the Second-Class Doctor Nguyen Nghiem, and Nguyen Trong. Along with the Nguyen Huy family in Truong Luu and the Phan Huy family in Canh Hoach (Can Loc), the Nguyen Tien Dien family contributed to creating the "literary and cultural" character of Nghe An province during the Le Dynasty.

Among these figures, Nguyen Nghiem (6th generation) is considered the one who initiated the brilliant scholarly path, "paving the way for literature" for the Nguyen Tien Dien family. From his talent and learning, a family tradition that valued literature and learning was formed; a literary tradition was established and became the foundation for nurturing and developing many literary talents of his descendants, especially Nguyen Khan, Nguyen De, Nguyen Thien, Nguyen Hanh, and most brilliantly, Nguyen Du.

Despite experiencing many ups and downs, the Nguyen Tien Dien family has always been a prominent cultural lineage, with many valuable works in history, medicine, literature, and geography.

Generations of descendants of the family always remember and honor the merits of their ancestors.

Growing up in an academic and literary environment, Nguyen Du soon absorbed the finest values ​​of his family lineage. The exemplary erudition of his father, Nguyen Nghiem, the elegance and sophistication of his older brother, Nguyen Khan, along with the dramatic upheavals and tragedies experienced by his family during the turbulent times, deeply imprinted on Nguyen Du's soul a unique sense of human existence.

It was this very context that forged a great heart, sensitive to suffering and constantly troubled by the insignificance of humanity. From "Thanh Hien Tien Hau Tap," "Nam Trung Tap Ngam," "Bac Hanh Tap Luc," "Van Te Thap Loai Chung Sinh" to the masterpiece "Truyen Kieu," Nguyen Du left Vietnamese literature a literary legacy of universal significance.

Not only is it a masterpiece marking the pinnacle of medieval Vietnamese literature, but The Tale of Kieu is also a testament to the harmonious blend of Nghe An folk culture, Thang Long imperial culture, and the profound humanistic thought of the East. With The Tale of Kieu, Nguyen Du elevated the Vietnamese language to a refined artistic level, transforming this work into a timeless cultural symbol.

The great poet Nguyen Du, a descendant of the Nguyen Tien Dien family, has become a cultural icon in the Vietnamese psyche.

In the Vietnamese consciousness, Nguyen Du is not only the author of The Tale of Kieu but also a cultural symbol and a source of national pride. To the international community, he is the first and only great poet of Vietnam to date who has been honored on the world cultural map.

Nguyen Du shone brightly thanks to the cultural traditions of his family, and his career brought glory to his lineage. It can be said that this was a rare fusion of roots and individuality, creating a unique cultural phenomenon of the nation.

For over four centuries, the Nguyen Tien Dien clan has maintained its family traditions and scholarly heritage, a hallmark of a renowned Vietnamese family. Currently, the clan comprises over 1,100 households with thousands of members. Under the leadership of the Nguyen Tien Dien Clan Council, educational and talent promotion programs are regularly implemented, with hundreds of millions of dong allocated annually.

The publication "The Tale of Kieu: The Madman's Version" is a selective inheritance of the research findings on the masterpiece "The Tale of Kieu" from the past 200 years.

With 2 professors, 3 associate professors, 10 PhDs, 66 masters, 1 distinguished physician, 10 distinguished educators, 1 artisan, 1 distinguished artisan, 1 folk artisan, 53 senior officers… this vividly demonstrates the enduring vitality of this prestigious and influential family lineage.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tung (born in 1950 - a descendant of the 13th generation of the family) said: "Promoting education has always been considered a core activity of the family. Every year, during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), the family organizes events to honor descendants with outstanding achievements, creating motivation for future generations to study and improve."

At the same time, clubs such as the "Club of Daughters-in-law and Daughters of the Family" and the "Club of Businesspeople of the Family" were also established to connect generations and support each other in studies, work, and life. These activities have become a practical source of encouragement, helping descendants continue and promote the tradition of studiousness and culture of their ancestors.

The Nguyen Tien Dien Family Council collaborates in organizing numerous scientific seminars with the participation of many researchers and scientists from both within and outside the country.

Alongside promoting education, the family clan places special emphasis on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage left by the great poet Nguyen Du, especially "Truyen Kieu" (The Tale of Kieu). In recent years, the clan has collaborated with many domestic and international organizations to hold scientific conferences and initiate activities to spread the value of this masterpiece to the public.

In particular, to commemorate the 260th anniversary of Nguyen Du's birth and the 225th anniversary of the publication of "Truyen Kieu," in mid-November 2025, the Nguyen Tien Dien Family Council launched a special publication, "Truyen Kieu Tien Dien Edition."

Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam - Chairman of the Family Council shared: “This meticulously compiled publication is the culmination of the dedication and intellect of scientists, researchers, and descendants of the family, selectively inheriting the research achievements of the masterpiece "Truyen Kieu" over the past 200 years. The work not only serves for preservation, research, and collection but also represents the gratitude of future generations to their ancestors; it is a family treasure and a source of pride for the family.”

The cultural heritage of the Nguyen Tien Dien lineage will continue to flow within the broader stream of national culture.

From the founding ancestor Nguyen Nhiem who pioneered the Tien Dien region, to Nguyen Nghiem who established scholarship, and especially to Nguyen Du who elevated national literature to its peak, the Nguyen Tien Dien family has affirmed its position in Vietnamese cultural history. Today, the younger generations are striving to preserve, nurture, and renew these precious values, so that the cultural heritage of the Nguyen Tien Dien family continues to flow within the broader stream of national culture.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/ho-nguyen-tien-dien-trong-dong-chay-van-hoa-dan-toc-post301057.html