"The Đông Du Movement in the South"

"The Dong Du Movement in Southern Vietnam" is a collection of articles by various authors, part of Omega Plus's Vietnam History Book Series, published in collaboration with Xua & Nay Magazine (Hanoi Publishing House). This is a significant publication launched on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the Dong Du Movement (1905-2025).

According to Omega Plus, the 32 studies featured in the book were selected from a scientific conference held in Can Tho City in 2006, following a series of conferences in Hue, Nghe An, and Hanoi, by reputable scholars and researchers. The studies in the book comprehensively summarize the political , economic, and social context of the early 20th century, emphasizing the role of Southern Vietnamese intellectuals, scholars, and entrepreneurs in encouraging young people to study abroad, building economic resources, developing journalism, and organizing a network to support the movement.

Nam Nha Duong (Binh Thuy ward, Can Tho city) is a historical site with many traces of the Dong Du movement.

The Dong Du Movement was a revolutionary movement in Vietnam in the early 20th century. Its aim was to encourage Vietnamese youth to study abroad (in Japan), preparing a force to seize the opportunity to regain national independence. The book "The Dong Du Movement in Southern Vietnam" offers readers a perspective on the role of the southern region in the overall course of history.

In his research "The Dong Du Movement in Southern Vietnam," Professor Dinh Xuan Lam explains: "The Dong Du Movement aimed to select 'intelligent, studious young people who could endure hardship, were accustomed to difficulties, were determined and steadfast, and would never change their aspirations' to study and train in Japan to become revolutionary cadres later on. They were mostly children of scholars who opposed the French, from families with animosity towards the French colonialists, 'children of hostile families.' It was called Dong Du – going to the East – because Japan is geographically located to the east of our country, towards the rising sun."

Through studies such as "A Hundred Years Looking Back at the Dong Du Movement" by historian Duong Trung Quoc, "The Dong Du Movement in the South" by Professor Dinh Xuan Lam, "The Dong Du Movement in Southern Vietnam (1905-1909)" by Associate Professor Vo Xuan Dan, or "Factors Leading to the Formation of the Distinctive Features of the Dong Du Movement in the South" by researcher Nguyen Huu Hieu… readers gain a better understanding of the context and development of the Dong Du movement in the South. Delving into specific historical stories, researcher Truong Ngoc Tuong clarifies the case in My Tho with the role of intellectuals from that region, while researcher Tran Van Rang examines the Cao Dai religion and its connection to the Minh Tan and Dong Du movements…

Regarding historical figures, researcher Truong Minh Dat has an article on the patriot Nguyen Than Hien, a pioneering revolutionary; researcher Phan Luong Minh studies the Dong Du movement fighter Nguyen Hao Vinh; and other historical figures associated with the Dong Du movement are also thoroughly researched, with many valuable documents such as Truong Duy Toan, Gilbert Tran Chanh Chieu, Nguyen Quang Dieu, Do Van Y (1892-1968)... In the final section, the book also includes an appendix introducing 57 individuals who participated in the Dong Du movement in the South.

Associate Professor Vo Xuan Dan, in his research "The Dong Du Movement in Southern Vietnam (1905-1909)," concludes: "It can be said that the Dong Du movement in Southern Vietnam was the strongest activity of the Duy Tan (Modernization) movement in Southern Vietnam, and also the strongest movement of the Dong Du movement nationwide. According to Phan Boi Chau's work "Phan Boi Chau Chronology," the number of students studying abroad in the 1907-1908 academic year reached 200, of which students from Southern Vietnam accounted for 50%, the rest from Northern and Central Vietnam."

120 năm Phong trào Đông Du ở miền Nam

Ngày 15-4, tại Bảo tàng TP Cần Thơ, Sở Văn hóa, Thể thao và Du lịch, Tạp chí Xưa & Nay, Omega Plus phối hợp tổ chức tọa đàm “120 năm Phong trào Đông Du ở miền Nam”. Tọa đàm có sự tham gia của đông đảo các nhà khoa học , nhà nghiên cứu, sẽ mang đến những góc nhìn khoa học, có chiều sâu về phong trào này.

Text and photos: DANG HUYNH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/phong-trao-dong-du-o-mien-nam-a202175.html