Truong Luu - A Vietnamese village with three heritage sites and one source of cultural heritage.

Contributing three heritage sites to humanity from an ancient village known for its scholarship.

The name Trường Lưu originates from the ancient Tràng Lưu village, which was once a center of scholarship in Lai Thạch commune, La Sơn district, Đức Quang prefecture, Nghệ An province. After many geographical and administrative changes, from July 1, 2025, the place name Trường Lưu was officially restored as a return to its true cultural identity.

Nowhere is quite like Truong Luu – an ancient village that boasts three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Phuoc Giang School Woodblocks (2016), the Hoang Hoa Su Trinh Do (2018), and the Truong Luu Village Han Nom Texts (2022). All three sites are associated with the Nguyen Huy family, a prominent scholarly lineage in Vietnam.

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"Hoang Hoa Su Trinh Do" - an ancient book containing valuable documents on the geography, culture, and diplomacy of Vietnam and China.

The Phuc Giang School woodblocks consist of 383 exquisitely carved wooden blocks, serving as the "textbooks" of Phuc Giang School, founded by the Nguyen Huy family in the 18th century. This heritage reflects the Confucian scholarly education and the will to disseminate knowledge through many generations.

The "Hoang Hoa Su Trinh Do" (Map of the Diplomatic Mission) is a unique work documenting the diplomatic journey between Vietnam and China in the 18th century, compiled and copied in 1887 by the scholar Nguyen Huy Oanh. This map not only details place names and routes by land and sea, but also depicts diplomatic ceremonies, customs, nature, and society of the time.

The collection of Sino-Vietnamese documents from Truong Luu village comprises 48 valuable documents, including 26 royal decrees, 19 administrative documents, and 3 ancient banners. This is vivid evidence of the traditional examination system, social relations, and village governance culture.

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A branch church of the Nguyen Huy family in Truong Luu – where valuable documents of the heritage are preserved.

Furthermore, Truong Luu was once renowned for its "eight scenic spots"—eight famous landmarks created by a combination of nature and man: Quan Market, Ru Phuong Hill, Han Thien Temple, Nghia Thuong Pond, Ancient Temple, Lotus Pond, Thach Well, Nguyen Family Flower Garden… For three centuries (18th–20th), this place was a gathering point for thousands of scholars from all over the region who came to study at Phuc Giang School.

Amidst global recognition, the struggle lies in preserving the soul of the village.

Bringing these three heritage sites into international spotlight has been a long journey. This includes the persistent efforts of Professor and Academician Nguyen Huy My, a 16th-generation descendant of the Nguyen Huy family, who, along with the Ha Tinh provincial government, persistently built the dossiers, translated the information, and established international academic connections to achieve UNESCO recognition. But after the applause, gaps remain.

Currently, all three documentary heritage sites are still preserved in private homes and ancestral temples, without any specialized facilities for systematic preservation; the ancient "eight scenic spots" are gradually disappearing. Many local people and students have never even seen the Phuc Giang woodblock prints or the Hoang Hoa Su Trinh Do with their own eyes. The village remains a village, but the title "World Heritage Site" is becoming... just a title.

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A Sino-Vietnamese text from Truong Luu village

Professor Nguyen Huy My expressed his concern: "To preserve heritage, we must first maintain its original state, preventing termite damage and warping; next, we must digitize, translate, and promote it. But most importantly, we must bring heritage to the community; we cannot let it remain forever in people's homes or ancestral temples."

According to our research, the Truong Luu commune currently lacks a dedicated cultural preservation department. The project to build the Truong Luu Cultural Village was planned many years ago, but remains stalled on paper. Despite having three heritage sites, the village has yet to receive infrastructure investment, a systematic connection to cultural tourism, and a comprehensive exhibition and experiential center befitting its status.

Mr. Mai Khac Trung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Truong Luu commune, said: "The desire to restore the name Truong Luu reflects the deep consensus of the people. In the commune's congress documents for the next term, promoting heritage will be included as a key task, but local resources are still very limited."

Preserving and promoting the heritage of Truong Luu is not just the responsibility of the Nguyen Huy family or the local people. It is a strategic issue in the cultural and tourism development of Ha Tinh province as a whole. Without decisive action, the risk of "heritage falling into oblivion" is imminent. And if preservation requirements are not met, UNESCO itself may revoke the title.

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The ancient, moss-covered charm of Truong Luu village - where three cultural heritage sites converge.

To revitalize Truong Luu, a comprehensive plan and long-term vision are needed. If properly planned, the Truong Luu cultural space could become a center for academic exhibitions, tourism, and cultural experiences, connecting with the system of historical sites and scenic spots in Ha Tinh such as Huong Tich Pagoda, Dong Loc Crossroads, Nguyen Cong Tru Temple, and Hai Thuong ecological tourist area…

A Vietnamese village with three World Documentary Heritage sites is unprecedented. But to prevent this heritage from being confined to books, to ensure its value doesn't remain limited to official recognition, what's needed now is not just memory, but action. Truong Luu was once a vibrant cultural center. Now, in the depths of the modern era, it awaits a strong hand to awaken it. Not as a living museum, but as a living cultural space – where literature, scholarship, and national memory coexist.

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