"From the time I carried a sword to open up the country" - Part 3: Returning to An Giang, hearing the story of Mr. Chuong

(QBĐT) - "Ah! Same hometown as the great mandarin!", the old man with white hair and eyes lit up when looking at us - the strangers visiting the Palace of the Commander-in-Chief Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh in Cho Moi town (Cho Moi district, An Giang province). Over the years, not only he but also the people of Cho Moi district have given Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh a special faith and respect. More than 300 years since the day he set foot to explore the island, the image of Duc Ong Nguyen Huu Canh is still present in the spiritual and cultural life of many generations of this land.

Imprint of the island

When the mission assigned by Lord Nguyen was completed, Commander Nguyen Huu Canh returned to continue guarding Binh Khang Palace. In 1699, the Khmer bandits robbed the Vietnamese in many remote places along the Mekong River, making the lives of the people extremely miserable. In 1700, Le Thanh Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh, following the order of Lord Nguyen, accepted the position of Commander in Chief to suppress the rebel Khmer bandits.

The statue of Lord Le Thanh Nguyen Huu Canh is located in the center of Cho Moi district, An Giang province (the statue is carved from Non Nuoc stone donated by the people).

When he returned to the Southern region, he left a deep impression on the island area at the source of Tien and Hau rivers in An Giang province. This land in the middle of the vast river is also the place that left a deep impression on his life in the last years of his life.

Only staying in Cay Sao Islet of An Giang for about half a month, Nguyen Huu Canh won the hearts of the people with his virtue and integrity. When he left or returned, he always stopped by to visit the people, regardless of whether they were Vietnamese, Chinese, or Khmer.

He encouraged people to expand agricultural cultivation and encouraged trade by merchant ships. Mr. Le Quoc Ve (85 years old), in Cho Moi town, said that since he was a child, the elders always told him about Lord Nguyen Huu Canh with all their respect and admiration. When he set foot on the island, he ordered soldiers to dredge deep, widen the Tien River branch to the Hau River, and opened several auxiliary canals so that fresh water could flow to the new hamlets.

“The practical acts of tolerance and sincere gestures of His Excellency at that time made the people extremely fond of him. Having land to cultivate and make a living, the people respected and were even more grateful to His Excellency. Those words of praise have been passed down to this day,” Mr. Ve recalled.

The ceremony of Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh is solemnly worshiped by the people at his palaces in Cho Moi district.

In the book Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh (1650-1700) with the enlightenment of the South of Vietnam in the late 17th century, author Nhu Hien Nguyen Ngoc Hien - his descendant wrote: "In April of the year Canh Thin (1700), the army returned to Tieu Moc Islet, also known as Cay Sao Islet. Le Cong ordered the army to stop and make a triumphant announcement, awaiting the lord's orders. A few days later, Le Cong fell ill, but when the Doan Ngo festival came (May 5), Le Cong tried to regain his health, got up to celebrate with the soldiers. Unfortunately, there was a poisonous wind, Le Cong coughed up blood, he quickly used his sleeve to cover the eyes of the army, keeping everyone safe and happy. But after that day, his illness became worse, Le Cong ordered the sails to return immediately ."

According to historical records, Le Thanh Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh passed away on his way back to Tran Bien Palace at Rach Gam ( Tien Giang ) on May 9, Canh Thin, at the age of 51. In memory of him, the people of Cay Sao Islet where he stayed during his final years named this land Ong Chuong Islet.

At the Duc Ong Palace in Cho Moi district, many valuable royal decrees of the Chief of Le Thanh Marquis Nguyen Huu Canh are still preserved and are only opened for the people to worship on the anniversary of Duc Ong's death.

More than just respect

When we arrived in Cho Moi district, we were warmly welcomed with all the sincerity and generosity of the people of the Southwest region. When we learned that we came from the hometown of Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh, that feeling became even more affectionate.

Vice Chairman of Cho Moi District People's Committee Doan Thanh Loc said with tears in his eyes: "Here, Monsignor Nguyen Huu Canh has had a special influence on the cultural and spiritual life of many generations of people over the past 300 years. From admiration and respect, over time, they have become more worshipful, respectful and have a strong belief in Monsignor."

In the minds of the people of Ong Chuong island, Nguyen Huu Canh is the most important Supreme God among the Thanh Hoang worshiped here. The people of Cho Moi respectfully call Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh as Duc Ong, a great official. He is present in their cultural and spiritual life as a spiritual support, helping the people of this island to confidently go through many storms and hardships of life. The people of Cho Moi have passed down the song for generations: " Whoever goes to Xep Chan Ca/ Remember to buy votive paper, incense and tea to worship Ong/ Offer Ong with all sincerity/ Merchant boats sell well and buy good luck ".

For the people of Cho Moi, taking care of the incense for the Lord is a great honor and pride.

Cho Moi District has three large temples worshiping Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh, located in Cho Moi town, Long Kien commune and Kien An commune. These are places that people in the area and from neighboring provinces and cities often visit. Not only on the anniversary of Duc Ong's death, but also on normal days, the temples are always visited by people. After more than 60 years working at Nguyen Huu Canh temple in Cho Moi town, Mr. Le Quoc Ve said that Cho Moi people have a special faith in Duc Ong.

“They came to the Lord with a sincere heart because they appreciated his talent and virtue. Over time, stories with spiritual elements were passed down, making the people of Cho Moi believe that the Lord had a special sacredness. Therefore, on any important occasion of each family, people also came to the palace to ask for the Lord's blessing.”

In the temples in Cho Moi district, the incense smoke never cools down. There is always someone on duty to take good care of the altar of Duc Ong, as Mr. Ve said, "so that Duc Ong always feels warm like the hearts of the Southern people for him."

Duc Ong Temple in the center of Cho Moi district.

At the shrine in Cho Moi town, there is always a priest who regularly supervises the incense and directly cooks 3 trays of food to offer to the 3 altars at the shrine. 2 offerings a day (morning at 10am and afternoon at 3pm), which means 6 trays of food, have been taking place regularly for hundreds of years and are all made with all sincerity without any remuneration. For the people of Cho Moi, taking care of the incense for Duc Ong is a great honor and pride.

"Ong Chuong Islet has lots of fish and shrimp"

“Many times the crow told the kite/Ong Chuong Islet has lots of fish and shrimp ”, the people of Cho Moi still pass down this proverb to this day. Despite the changes of history, this islet located between the Tien and Hau rivers is still a fertile land, rich in products.

Mr. Doan Thanh Loc affirmed that Cho Moi district is a locality with very good economic development conditions, especially in Ong Chuong islet. “The average income of 5 communes in the islet is 69.2 million VND/person/year. Many localities develop traditional occupations, grow perennial crops, and export some products. People have a good standard of living thanks to many economic development conditions. In particular, in Ong Chuong islet communes, brick making and glue making are traditional occupations that have existed for hundreds of years,” the Vice Chairman of Cho Moi District People's Committee shared.

The rich green color has covered the island for hundreds of years.

Walking along Ong Chuong Islet, an atmosphere of enthusiastic work spreads across the radiant faces. In the glue production facilities, people are diligently pulling the strings and stretching the yarn. The sound of machines blends with the laughter.

Ms. Do Thi Trang, a resident of My Hoi Dong commune, Cho Moi district, said that thanks to the job of making acacia rope, her average monthly income is from 7 to 10 million VND. That is the income that helps her family live a stable life and no longer have to worry after a hard time. The green color of prosperity has covered the island that is hundreds of years old. The people are no longer hungry and miserable as Mr. Nguyen Huu Canh wished from the first days of setting foot on the land of reeds - Cay Sao island.

Cho Moi District is located in the east of An Giang Province. With an area of nearly ^356km2 , Cho Moi currently has more than 453,000 people. The main industries are agricultural production and small-scale industry.

Noi Ha-Dieu Huong

Lesson 4: Migration following the footsteps of the pioneers

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