Great poet Nguyen Du in the cultural flow of Dong Nai

Not only a source of pride for the Vietnamese nation, but the great poet Nguyen Du also maintains a vivid presence in the spiritual life of Dong Nai residents through diverse cultural and educational spaces.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Toi, Head of the Dong Nai branch of Vietnam Folklore Association (center), offers incense in the 259th anniversary of great poet Nguyen Du’s birth at Kieu Garden, Tam Hiep Ward. Photo: My Ny

Honoring, preserving, and promoting the legacy of Nguyen Du is an expression of gratitude to a world cultural celebrity, contributing to the enrichment of the spiritual foundation and the comprehensive development of the people of Dong Nai in the new era.

Nguyen Du in the Cultural Space of Tran Bien

Three hundred and ten years ago, Tran Bien Temple of Literature was established by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu in Tan Lai village, Phuoc Chanh district (now Tran Bien Ward, Dong Nai Province), to continue and inherit the literary and cultural tradition of Thang Long – Hanoi, in connection with the nation's southward expansion. Tran Bien Temple of Literature is regarded as a cultural and historical symbol, a vital source that links and sustains the cultural values of the Tran Bien – Dong Nai region.

The most solemn space in the main worship hall of the Tran Bien Temple of Literature is dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. The left wing enshrines tablets honoring cultural figures associated with Dong Nai and the former Southern region, such as Vo Truong Toan, Dang Duc Thuat, Trinh Hoai Duc, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Bui Huu Nghia, Ngo Nhon Tinh, and Le Quang Dinh. The right wing enshrines tablets honoring Vietnamese cultural figures, including Chu Van An, Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Le Quy Don, and Nguyen Du.

Members of the Dong Nai Kieu Studies Chapter visit Kieu Garden in Tam Hiep Ward on the 259th anniversary of great poet Nguyen Du’s birth. Photo: My Ny

Notably, within the grounds of Cultural Figures Sculpture Garden in the Tran Bien Temple of Literature, the statue of Nguyen Du has become a familiar stop for students and literature lovers from within and beyond the province. Numerous study tours and extracurricular activities are held here, helping bring The Tale of Kieu and Nguyen Du’s works closer to everyday life, fostering a love for literature and strengthening cultural foundations for Dong Nai’s younger generations.

Nguyen Du (1765–1820), given name To Nhu, pseudonym Thanh Hien, was born in a family with a long-standing tradition of literary and artistic pursuits, with generations serving as high-ranking officials under the Le Dynasty and the Trinh Lords. His father, Nguyen Nghiem, was born in Tien Dien village, Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province (now Tien Dien Commune, Ha Tinh Province), and once held the post of Grand Preceptor (Prime Minister), while his mother, Tran Thi Tan, was from Bac Ninh. Nguyen Du’s life was marked early by hardship; both his parents died when he was at a young age. He also lived through a turbulent historical period.

In 1783, Nguyen Du passed the Tam Truong examination. In 1802, when Gia Long ascended the throne, he was appointed District Magistrate of Phu Dung (Khoai Chau Prefecture, Son Nam region), later serving as Prefect of Thuong Tin, Son Nam. In 1820, he was appointed Chief Envoy to China, but before embarking on the mission, he fell ill and passed away on the 10th day of the eighth lunar month in the first year of Minh Menh’s reign, at the age of 55.

For his exceptional contributions to national literature and world culture, Nguyen Du has been repeatedly honored by the Party, the State, and the international community. Notably, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Nguyen Du as a world cultural celebrity in 2013.

Nguyen Du left behind a rich literary legacy in both Chinese and Nom scripts, including Thanh Hien Poetry Collection, Miscellaneous Poems from the South, Miscellaneous Writings in Trip to the North, A Lament for Ten Kinds of Wandering Souls, Verses for the Hat-Makers’ Guild, and Memorial Text for the Two Daughters of Truong Luu, and many more. Among these, The Tale of Kieu (originally titled Doan Truong Tan Thanh) stands as a masterpiece of Nom six-eight verse, comprising 3,254 lines, propelling Nguyen Du’s name beyond national borders. To date, The Tale of Kieu has been translated into more than 30 languages worldwide, including over 15 French versions, more than 10 English and Chinese versions, five Japanese versions…

Dr. Nguyen Van Quyet, Chairman of the Vietnam–Japan Friendship Association of Dong Nai Province, said: “The solemn enshrinement of great poet Nguyen Du in the main worship hall of Tran Bien Temple of Literature alongside national predecessors and Vietnamese cultural figures reflects not only respect but also the tradition of valuing education and respecting teachers in Dong Nai. In the context of increasingly deep international integration, the humanistic and humanitarian values in Nguyen Du’s legacy remain profoundly relevant. They provide a foundation for building Dong Nai citizens who develop harmoniously in knowledge, ethics, and cultural identity.”    

Nguyen Du in contemporary life in Dong Nai

Beyond cultural institutions, the name of the great poet Nguyen Du is deeply ingrained in the everyday life of Dong Nai residents. Numerous streets bearing the name Nguyen Du have become familiar parts of the urban landscape, reminding people of a world cultural celebrity and the enduring historical and cultural values that persist amid modern life.

Notably, many schools across the province, such as those in Tran Bien ward, Dinh Quan commune, and Gia Kiem commune, bear the name Nguyen Du, serving as spaces where younger generations are introduced to and nurtured in the love of national culture and literature. Through teaching and extracurricular activities, as well as reading The Tale of Kieu and learning about Nguyen Du’s life and career, students gradually absorb the humanistic values and compassion conveyed in his works. As a result, Nguyen Du’s legacy is not merely received as literary knowledge but becomes spiritual capital that helps shape character and enrich the souls of young people.

Students of Nguyen Du Primary School, Tran Bien Ward, read books, draw pictures, and learn about the great poet Nguyen Du at the school library. Photo: My Ny

Student Nguyen Phan Anh, Grade 5/4, Nguyen Du Primary School, Tran Bien Ward, shared: “I am proud that my school is named after a world cultural celebrity. At school, I participate in various activities, visit the library to read books, and learn about Nguyen Du. Thanks to that, I have gained a lot of useful historical knowledge about the great poet. Our teachers often tell us stories about Nguyen Du and The Tale of Kieu. I learn how to live with love, to share, and to strive to study well.”

To preserve and promote the value of The Tale of Kieu, the Dong Nai Kieu Studies Chapter was established in 2018 from the Kieu Garden Club in Binh Da Ward (now Tam Hiep Ward). To date, the chapter has 32 members, including researchers and enthusiasts of The Tale of Kieu from within and beyond the province. Members actively participate in recitation contests, Kieu singing and riddle competitions, poetry composition inspired by Kieu, as well as collecting materials, writing, and publishing Kieu-themed journals.

On the evening of December 20, the Ha Tinh Provincial People’s Committee held a ceremony commemorating the 260th anniversary of great poet Nguyen Du’s birth (1765–2025) at Thanh Sen Square, Thanh Sen Ward, with the participation of nearly 700 delegates. The event was broadcast live on VTV1, Viet Nam Television.

Having participated in the Dong Nai Kieu Studies Chapter for seven years, Nguyen Van Thanh (from Ho Chi Minh City) shared: “Activities at the Dong Nai Kieu Studies Chapter provide other members and me with a space to connect and share our passion for literature, while also spreading the legacy of Nguyen Du to the community. Through Kieu recitation sessions and poetry contests, we hope to bring The Tale of Kieu closer to the public, especially young people, so that they no longer see Kieu as an integral part of today’s cultural life.”

The year 2025 marks the 260th anniversary of the birth of the great poet Nguyen Du (1765–2025). This time is not only an occasion to commemorate and pay tribute to a world cultural celebrity, but also a meaningful event that contributes to the concretization of the Party’s resolutions and conclusions on Vietnamese culture and the people. At the same time, it helps reinforce the spiritual foundation for a new era of prosperous and sustainable development, where the cultural identity of Vietnam as a whole, and that of Dong Nai in particular, is preserved and promoted within the ongoing process of international integration.

By My Ny – Translated by Thuy Trang, Minho