Death Anniversary of Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh and the journey of spreading heritage

Teachers and students in Bien Hoa city offer incense at the 2024 Death Anniversary of Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh. Photo: L.Na

Not only is it an occasion to commemorate the merits of the person who opened the Southern land, the death anniversary also aimsto educate generations about historical traditions, create cohesion in the community, and promote the development of Dong Nai cultural tourism.

Grateful for the pioneer

Since mid-June, the road leading to the Nguyen Huu Canh Temple and Tomb Relic has become crowded and bustling. Many locals and tourists, including students, have come to the relic to visit, learn about history, and offer incense to commemorate the merits of Lord Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bay (81 years old, living in Tan Phong ward, Bien Hoa city) quietly clasped her hands next to the statue of Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh. Her face was pensive amid the lingering incense smoke. Mrs. Bay shared that every year on the anniversary of Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh's death (15th and 16th of the 5th lunar month), she and her children and grandchildren go to the temple to offer incense.

“I want my children and grandchildren to know about the person who opened up the Southern land and established our homeland today. Every time we come here, we reminisce about the past. That is how we preserve the memories of our roots and become more attached to the land of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai, ” Mr. Bay shared.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Cang, Board of Trustees of the Nguyen Huu Canh Temple and Tomb Relic, said that Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh passed away 325 years ago (1700-2025), but his pioneering footprints and great contributions are still imprinted on the land of the South, Dong Nai. Local people always remember and show gratitude for his merits through each generation. Every time a death anniversary is held, it is a reminder for each other to live kindly, gratefully and responsibly towards history and culture.

According to Vice Chairman of Bien Hoa City People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Thanh, this year's death anniversary of Lord Nguyen Huu Canh was held with a solemn, sacred, and respectful ceremony and a bustling festival. Notably, the city organized an exchange of cultural and culinary exhibitions with the participation of schools, and artistic fireworks... The activities aimed to express gratitude and acknowledge the merits of Lord Nguyen Huu Canh - the first person to establish the administrative system in the South, naming the Dong Nai region on the map of Vietnam.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh said: “2025 is the year that the death anniversary of Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh officially becomes a national intangible cultural heritage. This is not only the pride of the people of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai in particular, and the South in general, but also a meaningful work in the protection of cultural heritage, a way for today's generation to preserve and pass on precious values to future generations."

On June 10 and 11 (15 and 16 of the 5th lunar month), the Nguyen Huu Canh Temple and Tomb Relic will hold the Death Anniversary of Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh (1700-2025). The special thing is that this year, the death anniversary has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage of traditional festivals.

Elevate the death anniversary into a festival

The death anniversary of Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh has been expanded into a cultural and historical festival for the past two years with the participation of tens of thousands of people and tourists from inside and outside the province. The space around the Nguyen Huu Canh Temple and Tomb Relic is arranged like a festival with a variety of cultural and sports experience areas, folk art performances, etc., creating a vibrant and attractive atmosphere. Thanks to that, the relic is not only a place of worship, but also a destination for education, experience and dissemination of heritage values.

According to the Chairman of the Dong Nai Historical Science Association, Tran Quang Toai, the significance of the Death Anniversary of Lord Nguyen Huu Canh is not only important to the people of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai, but also has an influence on the entire Southern region. In many provinces and cities, Lord Nguyen Huu Canh is worshiped. Therefore, the organization of the Death Anniversary of Lord Nguyen Huu Canh should be developed into a death anniversary for the entire region, in order to create a widespread influence among the people.

“I think that the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Nai should coordinate with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of provinces and cities to organize exchange activities and meetings of the communal house worship committees during the Commemoration Ceremony of the Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh Festival. The crystallization of cultural values, historical values, scientific values, ethical and humanistic values of the memorial ceremony contributes to creating the strength of culture, reflecting the cultural consciousness of the nation,” said Mr. Tran Quang Toai.

In order to contribute to reviving and spreading the value of heritage, Dong Nai Museum has launched a 360 virtual reality tour at the National Monument of Nguyen Huu Canh Temple. This tour helps people and tourists experience the monument as well as the memorial space even if they are not present in person. In addition, Bien Hoa city has applied QR codes, providing general information about the monument through vivid sounds and images.

The death anniversary of Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh has become a festival listed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, becoming an important milestone for Dong Nai to achieve two goals: to show gratitude to the pioneer and to educate the young generation about tradition today. In particular, this is also a driving force to develop local cultural tourism, contributing to building the image of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai land rich in history, friendly and hospitable.

Ly Na

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202506/le-gio-duc-ong-nguyen-huu-canh-va-hanh-trinh-lan-toa-di-san-9f20de2/