TL;DR: The death anniversary of Nguyễn Công Trứ (1778-1858) is held on the 14th day of the Eleventh Lunar Month in his home village of Uy Viễn, now part of Nghi Xuân commune, Hà Tĩnh province; in 2026 it falls on 22 December. It consists of an offering ceremony for Uy Viễn tướng công and incense offered by the local government, the Nguyễn Công clan and residents. He placed first in the 1819 regional examination, served as land reclamation commissioner founding Tiền Hải and Kim Sơn, and is credited with making hát nói a complete poetic form.
When and where is the death anniversary of Nguyễn Công Trứ held?
The death anniversary of Nguyễn Công Trứ is held on the 14th day of the Eleventh Lunar Month, the day he died in the year Mậu Ngọ, 1858[2]. In 2024 the 166th anniversary fell at noon on 14 December 2024, organised by the Nghi Xuân local government together with the Nguyễn Công clan[2]. By the lunar calendar, the 168th anniversary in 2026 falls on 22 December 2026.
The ceremony takes place in his home village of Uy Viễn, in the former Xuân Giang commune[2]. Under Resolution 1665/NQ-UBTVQH15 of 16 June 2025, Xuân Giang commune was merged with Xuân An town and the communes of Xuân Hồng, Xuân Viên and Xuân Lĩnh into Nghi Xuân commune, Hà Tĩnh province[4].
What rites take place on the anniversary day?
The core is the offering ceremony for Uy Viễn tướng công, after which local leaders, delegates and residents offer incense in his memory[2]. Báo Hà Tĩnh describes the ceremony as solemn and reverent, an occasion to remember his contributions to his homeland and the country[3].
Because this is the anniversary of a notable figure, the local government and the clan organise it together, unlike a family death anniversary attended only by descendants.
Who was Nguyễn Công Trứ?
The Đại Nam liệt truyện records Nguyễn Công Trứ as a native of Nghi Xuân, Hà Tĩnh, unconventional in youth and a man of integrity[1]. In the 18th year of Gia Long (1819) he placed first in the regional examination (giải nguyên); early in the Minh Mạng reign he was appointed compiler at the Historiography Office[1].
He served the Nguyễn court for nearly 30 years, was known as Uy Viễn tướng công, and died at home in 1858 at the age of 80[2].
How do the chronicles record the land reclamation of Tiền Hải and Kim Sơn?
The Đại Nam liệt truyện records that he submitted a confidential memorial on three matters, one of which was reclaiming waste land so that poor people would have a livelihood; the emperor had it discussed for implementation and then sent him as land reclamation commissioner (doanh điền sứ) in Nam Định, with the rank of left vice minister of Justice[1]. He asked that the newly reclaimed land be organised as a new district under the name Tiền Hải[1].
He recruited displaced people, built sea dykes, reclaimed land and founded hamlets, helping to create Kim Sơn and Tiền Hải, two Nguyễn-era districts whose land now lies in Ninh Bình and Hưng Yên provinces[2].
Why is Nguyễn Công Trứ associated with hát nói and ca trù?
Beyond his official career, he is credited with making hát nói a complete poetic form and opening a flourishing period for the art of hát nói and ca trù[2][3]. In his home village, the anniversary is therefore also a time to remember him as a poet, not only as an official.
What are the main milestones of Nguyễn Công Trứ's life?
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 18th year of Gia Long (1819) | Placed first in the regional examination |
| Early Minh Mạng reign | Compiler at the Historiography Office |
| Minh Mạng reign | Land reclamation commissioner in Nam Định; founded Tiền Hải and Kim Sơn |
| 14th day of the Eleventh Lunar Month, Mậu Ngọ (1858) | Died at home, aged 80 |
| 14 December 2024 (14th day of the Eleventh Lunar Month) | 166th death anniversary |
| 22 December 2026 (14th day of the Eleventh Lunar Month) | 168th death anniversary |
The first three milestones follow the Đại Nam liệt truyện[1]; his death and the 2024 anniversary follow Sài Gòn Giải Phóng[2]; the 2026 solar date is computed from the lunar calendar.
Nhật Nguyệt's suggestion: what should you know before attending?
To attend in 2026, count from the 14th day of the Eleventh Lunar Month, that is 22 December 2026, and ask the People's Committee of Nghi Xuân commune for the time of the ceremony beforehand; in 2024 the main rite took place at noon[2].
People from Kim Sơn or Tiền Hải can use the day to learn about the reclamation history of their own area, since both districts came out of the project he led.
