Truong Dinh - The hero lives forever with the nation

COMMEMORATING THE 159TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL HERO TRUONG DINH TUAN TIET (August 20, 1864 - August 20, 2023)

(ABO) National Hero (AHDT) Truong Dinh - an outstanding son of our nation. He was born and raised in Quang Ngai. His life and career were associated with the land of Go Cong and the glorious pages of history in the early stages of fighting against the French invaders. In 1864, he passed away in Go Cong, leaving behind in the people of the six provinces of Nam Ky in general, and the people of Tien Giang in particular, infinite regret and love - an example of steadfastness, indomitability, a lifetime of fighting for the country and the people, living gloriously, dying gloriously that he and his fellow soldiers left for posterity.

Every year in mid-August, people in Go Cong in particular and the province in general are busy preparing to commemorate the martyrdom day of hero Truong Dinh (August 20).

Monument to national hero Truong Dinh in the center of Go Cong town. Photo: Quyen Vu

Monument of AHDT Truong Dinh in the center of Go Cong town. Photo: Quyen Vu

In 1844, at the age of 24, he followed his father to the South, to Go Cong to start a career, but he did not follow the path of becoming an official. In 1854, responding to the land reclamation policy of the Nguyen Dynasty, he recruited poor people, established plantations and villages in Gia Thuan (in present-day Go Cong Dong district) and built an army of plantation soldiers so that when there was a war, they would be ready to fight with the regular army. After that, he was appointed by the Nguyen Dynasty to the position of Deputy Quan Co, then Quan Co, so he was called Quan Dinh.

In February 1859, the French attacked Gia Dinh citadel. He led his troops to join the royal army to fight the enemy and achieved many feats. One of the most outstanding feats was ambushing and killing Captain Barbé, punishing his henchmen, attacking the French in Gia Thach, Rach Gam and repeatedly attacking Ky Hoa fort (Saigon). When Gia Dinh fell, he withdrew his troops to Go Cong to build ramparts, weld the river, gather forces, and determined to fight the invading French.

At Mr. Doan Van Lau's house, on the night of August 19 to 20, 1864, Truong Dinh and 25 insurgents were surrounded by Huynh Cong Tan.

At Mr. Doan Van Lau's house, on the night of August 19 to 20, 1864, AHDT Truong Dinh and 25 insurgents were surrounded by Huynh Cong Tan.

In 1862, the Nguyen Dynasty signed the Nham Tuat Peace Treaty, handing over Con Lon Island and the three provinces of the Eastern South to the French, ordering Truong Dinh to withdraw troops and take up the position of Commander in Chief in An Giang Province. Faced with the pain of the Fatherland being trampled by the French army, the people of the three Eastern provinces, especially the people of Go Cong, refused to lay down their arms. Truong Dinh had raised troops to fight in the East and the North, had built a resistance base, and was honored by the people as "The Great Marshal of the West".

It was he, with his skillful command, noble ideals, precious virtues and courageous actions, who made the land of Go Cong shine. The uprising in Go Cong became the center of the large resistance movement of our people in the six provinces of Nam Ky.

The tomb has typical architecture of the Vietnamese people in the South.

AHDT Truong Dinh's Tomb and Temple is located on Phan Dinh Phung Street, Go Cong Town, Tien Giang Province.

On August 20, 1864, due to Huynh Cong Tan's betrayal, his resistance base was surrounded. In the unequal battle, he was seriously wounded. Not letting himself fall into the enemy's hands, he committed suicide with his sword. The Truong Dinh Uprising was the most typical struggle, with great influence and significance in the early stages of the anti-French colonial movement of the people of Cochinchina in the second half of the 19th century.

After Truong Dinh died, his body was brought back by his family and people for a solemn burial at a location now in Go Cong Town, Tien Giang Province. In 1964, the tomb was renovated and remains in its original form to this day, despite having undergone many restorations.

Every year, his memorial service is solemnly held on August 20.

In 1972, his temple was also built by the people in Go Cong. In his hometown, Son Tinh district ( Quang Ngai ), after Truong Dinh's suicide, the Hue court spent money to build his temple in Tu Cung village and assigned it to Quang Ngai province officials for annual ceremonies. The temple was damaged during the war and no trace was left.

In 2007, in response to the people's wishes and also to show gratitude to the hero who sacrificed for a great cause, Son Tinh district and Quang Ngai province invested in rebuilding Truong Dinh Temple as a place to offer incense.

Truong Dinh Temple in Quang Ngai is ranked as a National Monument.

In 2016, on the occasion of the 152nd anniversary of the martyrdom of AHDT Truong Dinh on August 20, the People's Committee of Go Cong Town held a ceremony to receive the Certificate of Truong Dinh Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and to receive the Certificate of Provincial Historical - Cultural Relic for the tomb of Mrs. Tran Thi Sanh (second wife of AHDT Truong Dinh).

Awarding Certificate of recognition of Truong Dinh Festival as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Awarding the Provincial Historical - Cultural Relic Certificate to the tomb of Mrs. Tran Thi Sanh.

Previously, on the occasion of the 149th death anniversary, the People's Committee of Go Cong Town held a ceremony to receive the Certificate of Honor for Vietnam's record value, with 3 honored works including: Temple and Mausoleum, Monument of AHDT Truong Dinh and the wooden book "Biography of Truong Dinh" in 3 languages.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in recent times, the province and Go Cong town have restored and embellished relics associated with the life and activities of AHDT Truong Dinh, including 3 relics recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as National Historical Relics, including: AHDT Truong Dinh Temple in Gia Thuan Commune (Go Cong Dong District), Fortress (Tan Phu Dong District) and AHDT Truong Dinh Temple and Tomb in Go Cong Town.

The event honoring the record value of 3 historical relics and receiving the Certificate of recognition of the Truong Dinh Heroic Hero Festival as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage not only contributes to enhancing the value of historical and cultural heritage for the next generation, the pride in the steadfast and indomitable example of Truong Dinh Heroic Heroic Hero, but also has the meaning of educating the patriotic tradition of our ancestors for today's and future generations.

H.LE - N. NGOC (compiled)

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