Forever the heroic spirit of 'Nhat Tao Fire'

The feat of "The red fire of Nhat Tao shook the heaven and earth"

AHDT Nguyen Trung Truc was born in 1838 in Xom Nghe, a small hamlet along the Vam Co Dong River, specializing in fishing (now in Binh Duc commune, Tay Ninh province). In the past, Xom Nghe belonged to Binh Nhut village, Cuu Cu Ha commune, Cuu An district, Tan An prefecture, where Mr. Nguyen Van Dao, the ancestor of the Nguyen family, stopped to make a living when he brought his family to the South to take refuge. Mr. Nguyen Van Dao was one of the first people to have the merit of reclaiming the land of Binh Nhut. Nguyen Trung Truc was his grandson.

Monument of National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc at the historical site of Vam Nhut Tao (Nhat Tao commune)

As a child, his name was Chon, and in 1859 it was changed to Lich. Because of his upright and honest character, his teacher gave him the name Nguyen Trung Truc, representing the uprightness and spirit of a Southerner. The Nguyen family was originally from Binh Dinh, so in addition to fishing, the people of Xom Nghe were also famous for their martial arts tradition. Nguyen Trung Truc was intelligent, agile, good at swimming, strong, and especially had a talent for strategy from a young age. When the French colonialists opened fire to invade the South, he joined the anti-French army of General Truong Dinh and was sent to operate in Tan An district.

During this time, Nguyen Trung Truc had a close relationship with Mr. Ho Van Chuong, who had contributed to the development of the Nhut Tao area. Mr. Chuong's three sons, Ho Quang Minh, Ho Quang Chieu and Ho Quang Le, were all patriots, ready to stand up with Nguyen Trung Truc to fight the enemy. From here, the plan to attack the French ships on the Nhut Tao River was formed.

Mr. Ho Quang Minh, then Cai Tong Cuu Cu Ha, pretended to be friendly with the enemy, suggesting that they use water coconut leaves to roof the warship to avoid the hot Southern sun. Nguyen Trung Truc was assigned to the ship as a "carpenter", directly constructing the roof. After a week of thatching, he had a clear understanding of the enemy's activities and forces and secretly planned the attack.

Main hall of the Memorial Temple of National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc at the Vam Nhut Tao Historical Relic Site

To disperse the forces on the ship and destroy the soldiers stationed at Nhut Tao market, that morning, Mr. Ho Quang Chieu and the village officials of Nhut Tao organized a ceremony to worship Ong Pagoda, with opera and a banquet, inviting French soldiers to watch. The enemy fell for the trick and went to the pagoda to eat and drink heartily.

Around noon, when Nguyen Trung Truc and his army were preparing to attack the ship L'Espérance, the command was given from the pagoda. Immediately, the people disguised as village officials drew their hidden weapons and killed the French commander. The militiamen of Nhut Tao village rushed in and killed the enemy soldiers without any time to react. At the same time, Nguyen Trung Truc commanded 59 insurgents, divided into 5 boats disguised as rice trading boats, and approached the enemy ship. When completing the procedures to present his passport, he suddenly drew his sword and killed the French soldier, then together with his army, charged onto the warship L'Espérance. The battle was lightning fast - all the enemy soldiers on board were killed, only 5 escaped. The insurgents quickly used oil and incendiary materials to burn the ship L'Espérance, creating a resounding victory "The fire of Nhut Tao shook the heaven and earth", marking a glorious milestone in the history of the Vietnamese people's struggle against foreign invaders.

Pride of the homeland

After the glorious victory at Vam Nhut Tao, Nguyen Trung Truc continued to fight against the colonial invaders. The battle of Rach Gia ( Kien Giang province) was also one of his resounding victories. Until the day of his death, Nguyen Trung Truc remained steadfast with the saying that lives forever in the hearts of the Vietnamese people: "When the Westerners have uprooted all the grass in the South, then the Southerners will no longer fight the Westerners."

In the hearts of the people, the image of AHDT Nguyen Trung Truc is extremely sacred and full of respect. Therefore, it has become a tradition that every year, approaching the 11th day of the 9th lunar month, people everywhere eagerly gather at the Vam Nhut Tao historical relic site and the Xom Nghe historical relic site, where the heroic feats of AHDT Nguyen Trung Truc are recorded, to prepare together for his death anniversary.

People offer incense at the Memorial Temple of National Hero Nguyen Trung Truc at the Vam Nhut Tao Historical Relic Site

Arriving at the Vam Nhut Tao historical site 4 days before the death anniversary, Mr. Le Tan Tam (residing in Rach Gia ward, An Giang province) was busy cleaning and taking care of logistics to prepare for the death anniversary. This was the second time he participated. Living near the Nguyen Monument in An Giang, Mr. Tam said that he always had special feelings for him, so every time there was a death anniversary in Tay Ninh, he arranged his time to come early to help.

“I always respect and admire the spirit of selflessness of the hero Nguyen Trung Truc for the country. Every year, my family and I come to offer incense, not only to remember him but also to remind our children and grandchildren to live up to the nation's tradition of resilience and indomitability,” said Mr. Tam.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Nhut Tao Commune, Truong Minh Tri, said that the locality has soon deployed a plan to carefully prepare for this year's death anniversary. To prepare for the 157th anniversary of AHDT Nguyen Trung Truc's sacrifice, the locality has assigned teams in charge such as the logistics team, the incense offering team, the reception team, etc. to prepare the death anniversary carefully and welcome visitors from all directions. The theaters serving the people and tourists have been completed, and the sponsoring groups from An Giang have been present since the 7th to coordinate, ensure accommodation and complete logistics, helping the death anniversary take place solemnly and smoothly.

Each person has a job, together with a common heart towards the death anniversary of AHDT Nguyen Trung Truc - the hero "determined to repel the invaders", so that the death anniversary is not only a commemorative ceremony but also an occasion to spread patriotism, unite the community and foster traditional values for today's posterity./.

The death anniversary of AHDT Nguyen Trung Truc is not only an occasion to commemorate his great contributions but also a cultural and spiritual activity imbued with traditional identity. Every year, the death anniversary attracts thousands of people and tourists from inside and outside the province to attend, expressing the sentiment of "When drinking water, remember its source". The local government always strives to organize it carefully and safely, creating favorable conditions for people and tourists to come and offer incense and participate in activities in a solemn, warm and affectionate atmosphere. This is also an opportunity to educate the tradition of patriotism and national pride for today's young generation".

Director of the Center for Providing Public Career Services of Nhat Tao Commune, Ho Quoc Khanh

Every year on the anniversary of AHDT Nguyen Trung Truc's death, my family and I come here to burn incense in memory of him. Every time I stand before the hero's altar, I feel my heart filled with pride and gratitude. His contributions and brave spirit will forever be an example for today's descendants to follow, to live a more worthy life with those who sacrificed for their homeland and country."

Mr. Nguyen Van Quy (residing in An Giang province)

Netherlands

Source: https://baolongan.vn/sang-mai-hao-khi-hoa-hong-nhut-tao-a205573.html