Nguyen Trung Truc Memorial Festival: Over a Century of Honoring a National Hero
Every year, from the 26th to the 28th day of the 8th lunar month, people across the Mekong Delta flock to Rach Gia City in Kien Giang Province to attend the Nguyen Trung Truc Memorial Festival, also known as the Dinh Than Nguyen Trung Truc Festival. This is a time to remember the national hero who sacrificed his life for the country, famous for the "Fire at Nhat Tao" and the burning of the Kien Giang fort.
Life and Career of Nguyen Trung Truc
Nguyen Trung Truc, real name Nguyen Van Lich (also known as Quan Chon, Quan Lich), was born in 1838 in Binh Nhat village, Cu An district, Tan An prefecture (now Binh Duc commune, Ben Luc district, Long An province), into a fishing family. He was skilled in martial arts, well-versed in classical texts, upright, and deeply patriotic.
When the French colonized Vietnam, he joined the peasant army under the command of Lanh binh Truong Dinh. In 1861, he defended Gia Dinh Citadel under General Nguyen Tri Phuong. After the citadel fell, he gathered resistance forces in the southwestern region, inflicting heavy losses on the French.
The most famous feat was using fire to burn the French gunship L'Esperance at Nhat Tao river. For this victory, he was appointed governor of Ha Tien. However, before he could take office, Ha Tien was captured, so he retreated to Ta Nien (now Vinh Hoa Hiep commune, Chau Thanh district, Kien Giang) to organize forces.
In 1868, he led an attack on the Kien Giang fort, eliminating all French troops and controlling the provincial capital for 10 days. The French mounted a massive campaign, captured him, and brought him to Saigon for interrogation, offering bribes and titles, but he refused. On October 27, 1868, he was executed in Rach Gia at the age of 30.
Origins and Development of the Festival
After his death, locals secretly worshipped him at Dinh Than Nam Hai, a small temple in a fishing village on Ong Hien canal (now Vinh Thanh Van ward, Rach Gia). In 1891, the temple was relocated to its current site in Vinh Thanh ward. Since then, an annual memorial service has been held on the 26th-28th of the 8th lunar month.
Over 156 years, the service has evolved into a major festival, organized with official participation. In 2024, the festival commemorated the 156th anniversary of his death (1868-2024).
Festival Activities
The festival lasts three days, including both ritual and celebratory parts. The ritual includes incense offerings, ceremonies, and eulogies. Cultural activities include:
- Southern amateur music (Don ca tai tu) performances and competitions.
- Vovinam provincial tournament, Kien Giang Wanderlust Marathon.
- Regional art exhibition VIII (Mekong Delta) and youth theater festival themed "Spirit of the National Hero".
- Calligraphy demonstrations, photo exhibitions "Kien Giang - Land - People".
- Lion dance, flower car parade, bird singing contest, ornamental plant display.
- Flower lantern competition and lantern night on Kien River.
Community Spirit and Values
The festival is notable for the high degree of voluntary community participation. Many people from neighboring provinces like An Giang, Can Tho, and Dong Thap arrive days early to help, setting up gates, cooking camps, cleaning the temple, and preparing free meals for pilgrims.
Mr. Phan Van Minh from An Giang, who has volunteered for years, said: "I and many others come here to contribute money and labor to honor Mr. Nguyen, to express our respect for his merits and virtue." This spirit creates a warm and sacred atmosphere.
Historical and Educational Significance
The festival is not just a commemoration but also a means to educate younger generations about patriotism and resistance against foreign invaders. Learning about his life helps youth understand the nation's history and the indomitable spirit of their ancestors.
The festival also contributes to preserving intangible cultural heritage, recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. It promotes local tourism and economic development.
Visitor Information
Visitors can attend the festival at Dinh Than Nguyen Trung Truc, 56 Nguyen Cong Tru Street, Vinh Thanh Ward, Rach Gia City. The festival runs from the 26th to the 28th of the 8th lunar month, but the atmosphere builds days before. Visitors should arrive early, dress respectfully, and maintain cleanliness. The festival attracts over one million attendees, so plan accordingly.
Conclusion
The Nguyen Trung Truc Memorial Festival is a distinctive cultural feature of Kien Giang and the southern region. Over 156 years, the people's gratitude for the national hero remains strong. The festival is not only a tribute to a glorious past but also a bridge for current and future generations to continue the patriotic tradition.
