The river named after the poisoned chief in Western Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - During a peace negotiation with the Xa people, Mr. Lang Van Nguyen was poisoned to death in the river by his opponent. Later, the local people called this river after him.

Hoi Nguyen River is formed by Cha Ha and Khe Lip streams. It originates from Yen Hoa commune and flows into Lam river in Tam Quang commune, Tuong Duong district (Nghe An). The river is over 20km long and is named after the chief of Tuong Duong during the French colonial period, Mr. Lang Van Nguyen. The local elders often call him Xong Nguyen or Lang Vi Nguyen.

Daily life on the Hoi Nguyen River today. Photo: Ho Phuong

A large part of the river basin is called "Huoi Nguyen" by the local people and is now part of Khe Bo hydroelectric reservoir. The river flows through the Thai Muong villages, which are rich in legends. Each river and stream has its own story, and the most fascinating one is the story of the village and Muong mandarins of the land. In some ways, their authority can be compared to that of feudal kings and queens.

Elders in communes such as Yen Thang, Yen Hoa, Yen Na in Tuong Duong district today still tell the story of Mr. Xong Nguyen (Chief of the commune Nguyen). Mr. Nguyen was the son of a mandarin in Tuong Duong district and was appointed by his father as Chief of the commune of the land. He was open-minded and socialized with many classes in the district. He and Xong At were the two most famous Chiefs of the commune in Tuong Duong district.

Hoi Nguyen Bridge crosses the river named after the Chief of the village.

As the Chief of a large area with many Thai villages such as Xieng My, Xieng Men, Xieng Nua, etc., he was considered a man of great merit to the land. When Mr. Xong Nguyen passed away, a large river in the area was named after him. Later, the French colonial period called it Hoi Nguyen River because it belonged to Hoi Nguyen district, Tuong Duong prefecture.

According to the elders, during the time Mr. Lang Van Nguyen was the chief of the village, there were very few epidemics in the area, but they were often harassed by groups of immigrant tribes. The ancients called them "Xac Xa" (Xa bandits). The Xa people built many bamboo forts to defend themselves, and also to easily attack Thai villages. Currently, there are still traces of these forts in Yen Tinh commune (Tuong Duong).

People fishing on Hoi Nguyen River. Photo by Ho Phuong

The Xa people are very good at fighting, good at archery, and move quickly. They appear and disappear in the jungle. They suddenly appear, shoot people to death with poisoned arrows, and then retreat without leaving a trace. When they need to defend themselves, the Xa people retreat into bamboo ramparts, which are very difficult to destroy with the primitive military means of the time. Even though they were equipped with guns from the government, Xong Nguyen could not defeat this group of people.

After a long battle without success, Mr. Nguyen sought to negotiate peace with the Xa people. During a meeting with the enemy leader, Lang Van Nguyen was poisoned and drowned in the river.

Today, in Vang Lin village, Yen Thang commune (Tuong Duong), there are still traces of the temple worshiping Xong Nguyen and Mr. Xong Thai (Lang Van Sai). According to Mr. Vi Tien Dung, resident of Vang Lin village, grandson of Xong Thai, Mr. Xong Thai was the son of Xong Nguyen. Xong Thai succeeded his father after his death and continued to fight against the Xa people.

The temple of Lang Van Nguyen and his son is now just a desolate forest. For half a century, no one has burned incense at this sacred place.

The ruins of the temple dedicated to Lang Van Nguyen and his son in Vang Lin village only have a stone foundation left. Around the temple are a number of ancient tree stumps, including a single banyan tree as big as four people can hug. Mr. Dung said that since around 1960, the local people have not paid much attention to the temple. However, the locals still keep the ancient tree stumps because they believe they are sacred trees in the village.

The handwriting of the French Resident Inspector appointing Lang Van Sai as Chief of Security of Hoi Nguyen District, Tuong Duong Prefecture.

Currently, Mr. Vi Tien Dung still retains the French government's certificate conferred on Lang Van Sai. The story of Mr. Lang Van Nguyen is only a legend. According to the document that Mr. Dung's family considers a family heirloom, the resident inspector of Nghe An signed a certificate appointing Mr. Lang Van Sai as Chief of Security of Hoi Nguyen district, Tuong Duong prefecture in January 1911.

The indigenous Thai version of the investiture document for Lang Van Sai

The Lang family originated from the Vi family, the most famous in southwestern Nghe An during the French colonial period. Three of the family members held the position of District Chief and five held the position of District Chief. When they came to power, district and prefectural officials often appointed their relatives to hold the positions of canton chief and village chief in the region, creating a system of “family rule” in the southwestern Nghe An region.

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