Outstanding people, a land of spiritual significance throughout history.

Born and raised in the land of "exceptional people and sacred land of ancient times" - a land of emperors, a place of outstanding people and virtuous customs. All these factors have contributed to shaping the "image" or forging the character, essence, and dignity of the people of Thanh Hoa.

The Lam Kinh Festival is held to pay tribute to and praise the merits of our ancestors, especially King Le Thai To - the founder of the Later Le Dynasty.

Regarding the character and talent of the people of Thanh Hoa province, the book "Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi" states: "Scholars cherish literature and value integrity. Every era has its share of outstanding and free-spirited talents, thanks to the essence of the mountains and rivers that nurtured them." This is entirely plausible if we look deeply into the past; from this land of "converging essence," many kings, generals, and scholars have emerged, whose talents and contributions have been etched into history.

For over a thousand years under Northern rule, the country was subjected to harsh domination, enslavement, and assimilation. However, with a tradition of patriotism and a determination not to be enslaved, the people of the entire nation, including the people of Cuu Chan ( Thanh Hoa ), continuously rose up against the yoke of domination, regaining independence for the nation. At many times, this land became the center for gathering the strength of the entire nation, leading to many resounding victories. These included the uprising of the heroic woman Trieu Thi Trinh (in 248), with her aspiration to "ride the strong wind, trample the fierce waves, slay the whale in the East Sea, drive out the Wu army, reclaim the land, and break the yoke of slavery"; or the resistance against the Southern Han army led by Duong Dinh Nghe (in 931). Or Le Hoan – the man who “eliminated internal traitors to seize the country, drove out foreign invaders to bring peace to the people, and brought peace to the country, with no trouble in the North or South”... And especially King Binh Dinh Le Loi with his Lam Son uprising to defeat the Ngo and establish the Later Le Dynasty, whose name will forever be remembered.

As a land where history and culture intersect and converge, the people of Thanh Hoa also embody the image of a scholar with a sword on his back and a delicate brush in his hand – both brave, courageous, and full of unwavering spirit; and talented, refined, and fond of learning and beauty. For nearly four centuries, under the prosperous Ly (1009-1225) and Tran (1225-1400) dynasties, many famous officials and generals from Thanh Hoa emerged, such as Dao Cam Moc and Le Phung Hieu (during the Ly dynasty); Le Van Huu, Le Quat, and Tran Khat Chan (during the Tran dynasty)... Furthermore, from this land of imperial rise, the people of Thanh Hoa not only "marched north" with many generations of scholars and officials, but also made a "southward expansion" associated with the glorious "sword-wielding" campaign of Lord Nguyen Hoang and the pioneers from the mid-16th century.

It can be said that the imprint of Thanh Hoa, specifically its people, on the history of the nation is undeniable. As one historian observed, for much of the period from the 15th century to the mid-20th century, the character, intelligence, and contributions of the people of Thanh Hoa were clearly demonstrated through the presence of dynasties associated with three major families: the Le, Trinh, and Nguyen families – all of whom originated in Thanh Hoa. This affirms the stature and crucial position of Thanh Hoa in the long history of nation-building and national defense of the Vietnamese people. This position and stature are specifically shown through the unique qualities of outstanding figures and prominent families from Thanh Hoa that were present in Vietnamese history during the medieval period.

Temple dedicated to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and Martyrs of Thanh Hoa Province.

From that proud historical and cultural heritage, entering the Ho Chi Minh era, the imprint of Thanh Hoa's land and people continued to be marked by places like Ba Dinh, Ngoc Trao, Ham Rong - Nam Ngan...; contributing to the glorious Dien Bien Phu victories that resonated throughout the world, or the great victory of Spring 1975 that brought the nation to triumph... It can be said that patriotism, indomitability, courage, self-sacrifice for a great cause; the spirit of learning, creativity, diligence, respect for loyalty and morality... are all fine traditions of the Vietnamese nation and people. However, these distinctive characteristics – perhaps stemming from many profound reasons mentioned above – have left many outstanding marks on the land and in the character and dignity of the people of Thanh Hoa.

These extraordinary talents have brought glory to history and become the eternal pride of Thanh Hoa province. However, it cannot be forgotten that the position and stature of this land on the map of national history are also shaped by the contributions and intellect of millions of people who have lived, worked, and dedicated themselves daily to the development of their homeland and country. Some argue that the historical and cultural traditions of this land, which has produced many heroes who expanded and defended the nation, have fostered an intellectual environment and cultural space in Thanh Hoa that constantly inspires and motivates generations of Thanh Hoa people to reach a position of "influence." According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Hai Ke, "the people of Thanh Hoa, or the Thanh Hoa factor, are extremely special, leaving indelible marks on the history and culture of the nation. This factor has made a special contribution to shaping Vietnam as it is today"...

Affirming and honoring the beauty and nobility in the dignity, character, and spirit of the people of Thanh Hoa throughout its long history is crucial for continuing to cultivate these beautiful qualities in the souls and personalities of people today, and for spreading these noble and humane values ​​in life. However, it is also necessary to objectively acknowledge shortcomings and self-reflection to avoid mistakes and improve oneself in order to be worthy of our ancestors. This is a very important issue to address at this time, aiming to awaken and maximize the revolutionary tradition, the spirit of initiative and creativity, the will for self-reliance and self-improvement, and the strong aspiration for progress of the people of Thanh Hoa, for the prosperous development of our homeland and country.

Text and photos: Khoi Nguyen

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/dat-va-nguoi/nhan-kiet-dia-linh-thien-co/206491.htm