Báo Gia Lai•13/01/2026Recently, numerous "historical revisionist" arguments have appeared on social media, aiming to diminish the contributions of the Tay Son movement and the national hero Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue. However, history cannot be rewritten at will. Official historical records clearly document, and the people's sentiments also clearly demonstrate, the merits and the reverence and admiration for the Tay Son - Nguyen Hue.
The 223rd anniversary of the death of Emperor Quang Trung (1792-2025). Photo: QV
First, we need to face the historical truth. The Đại Nam thực lục – the official history compiled by the Nguyễn dynasty – records that in 1784, Nguyễn Ánh sent envoys to Siam to seek help. Subsequently, the Siamese king sent Chiêu Tăng and Chiêu Sương with troops to assist. According to historical documents, upon entering Gia Định, the Siamese army engaged in looting and caused suffering to the local people.
These events are all recorded in the official history compiled by the Nguyen dynasty. Furthermore, both Vietnamese and international historiography acknowledge that in 1787, through Bishop Pigneau de Behaine, Nguyen Anh continued to seek French aid through the Treaty of Versailles. The core content of this treaty was to exchange military aid for territorial concessions and trade privileges, including the cession of ports and islands to France.
Although the treaty was not fully implemented due to turmoil in France, the intention to seek foreign aid and sacrifice national interests was clear. In fact, Nguyen Anh continued to use French officers, weapons, and ships in the process of establishing his power.
Conversely, if you ask who ended that foreign invasion, history answers clearly: National hero Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue. He personally commanded the defeat of over 50,000 Siamese troops in the Battle of Rach Gam - Xoai Mut (1785), saving Southern Vietnam from the danger of falling into foreign hands.
The festival commemorating the 236th anniversary of the victory at Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da (1789-2025) was solemnly held at the Quang Trung Museum. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan
In early spring of 1789, Emperor Quang Trung continued his glorious victories by defeating 290,000 invading Qing troops, thereby securing and preserving national independence and reunifying the country. The Hoang Le Nhat Thong Chi (Chronicle of the Unified Le Dynasty) records this triumph: "Emperor Quang Trung rode an elephant to lead the troops into battle; the army advanced like the wind, winning every battle." And the fate of the invading army: "Ton Si Nghi panicked, abandoned his seal, and fled back to his country."
But the most compelling evidence lies not only in history books, but in the hearts of the people. Every year, thousands upon thousands of people from all over the country flock to the Dong Da Hill ( Hanoi ), the Quang Trung Museum (formerly Binh Dinh province, now Gia Lai province), and participate in the festival commemorating the victory at Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da. No one forces the people to go. They simply voluntarily venerate those they truly respect.
History shows a very clear rule: those who stand up to defend national independence, even if their reign is short-lived, live on in the memory and pride of the people. Misinterpretations of history may be noisy on social media, but they cannot replace official history and the will of the people. Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue is a national hero; this does not come from propaganda, but from the recognition of both history and the people across many generations.
During the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, Gia Lai province will organize a festival to commemorate the 255th anniversary of the Tay Son Peasant Uprising (1771-2026) and the 237th anniversary of the Ngoc Hoi - Dong Da victory (1789-2026).
The solemn and unified organization of the festival in the upper and lower Tây Sơn regions further affirms that the history of the struggle to defend the country and the people's spirit are values that cannot fade away, but will always endure with the Vietnamese nation.
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/nhan-dan-luon-kinh-nguong-anh-hung-dan-toc-post577242.html
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