On May 22-23, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Vietnam to promote post-2015 cooperation programs.During this time, he visited and burned incense at Phan Huy Chu church, Sai Son commune (Quoc Oai, Hanoi).

Hamlet 6, Thach Chau commune, Loc Ha coastal district (Ha Tinh) is considered the origin of the Phan Huy family. Here is the Phan Huy family temple which was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic in 1996. With a history of about 300 years of development and 18 generations of descendants, Mr. Phan Cong Tram is considered the founder of the family.

The original church of the Phan Huy family in hamlet 6, Thach Chau commune (Loc Ha, Ha Tinh).

Mr. Phan Huy Anh (57 years old, acting patriarch of the Phan Huy family) said that in Thach Chau commune there are two churches, the main church is called Giap Duong (where the ancestors are worshiped), the second church is called At Duong, where people who have passed the exams and have made great contributions to the family and the country are honored. Currently, some other districts and provinces also have some small branches and churches, but Mr. Anh is still the general manager.

According to Mr. Huy Anh, since its inception, the family was called Phan Van. Van refers to literature, poetry, and music, because the people in the family at that time had an elegant style, and were good at playing the zither, painting, and singing. Later, in the 6th generation (1743), Mr. Phan Van Tinh changed the family name to Phan Huy.

"Huy means glorious and bright. Our ancestors wanted the family to develop and leave their name in history, so they changed it to Phan Huy. After the name change, the family developed rapidly, and many of their descendants achieved great success, such as Phan Huy Chu and Phan Huy Can (Binh Chuong doctorate)," said Mr. Huy Anh.

In the past, the Phan Huy family had a traditional craft of weaving, then everyone switched to trading, farming, and had a prosperous and peaceful life. The descendants of the family spread across the country, many of them went to work, got married, and settled in countries such as France, the US, Canada, Laos, etc.

The head of the Phan Huy family added that the most brilliant period of development was from the 7th generation (1754). During this time, Mr. Phan Huy Can was the first to pass the doctoral exam, had great contributions in building the Phan Huy family temple, and was the main person worshiped after his ancestor. He had a generous personality, loved his country and loved his people, twice passed the highest exam to become an official and was awarded with a royal decree by the king but did not show off.

After Phan Huy Can's time, the Phan Huy family had a number of famous descendants, such as Phan Huy Ich, who, along with Ngo Thi Nham, was considered the "two right-hand men" of King Quang Trung in diplomacy and fighting against foreign invaders. Next was Phan Huy Chu (born in 1783), a scholar with profound knowledge and a great literary career, typically the works Lich Trieu Hien Chuong Loai Chi, Hoa Trinh Tap Luc...

The formation and development of the Phan Huy family also went through many events. "According to our ancestors, there was a time when many members of the family were punished by the king for committing some mistakes in the officialdom," Mr. Huy Anh informed.

The main temple of the Phan Huy family in Thach Chau commune was built in 1779. Some items have been modified, but the design and location of the worship items have not changed. This is the place where descendants gather during holidays and Tet.

Photos of Mr. Ban Ki-moon's visit to Phan Huy Chu church were sent to be kept at the main church in Thach Chau commune.

Among the Phan Huy family's churches, the most famous is the Phan Huy Chu Church in Sai Son Commune (Quoc Oai District, Hanoi), where descendants of the Phan Huy family in the North live. This place was also recently visited by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who left a guestbook.

Mr. Phan Huy Trieu (16th generation of the Phan Huy family) said that recently, the representative of the Phan Huy Chu family sent many photos and notes of the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon to the family in Thach Chau commune to keep as souvenirs, and now everyone really appreciates these photos.

Before the news that Mr. Ban Ki-Moon came to Vietnam to recognize his ancestors, Mr. Trieu and the patriarch said that the name of the UN Secretary General is not in the Phan Huy family genealogy. "Having Mr. Ban Ki-moon visit the family church is a very meaningful event. We consider this a source of pride and have no intention of speculating about anything," Mr. Trieu said.

Mr. Phan Huy Anh, patriarch of the Phan Huy family, said that Mr. Ban Ki-moon's visit is a matter of pride and that we should not speculate about anything.

As one of the consultants to compile the dossier to recognize the Phan Huy family church as a national historical and cultural relic, Mr. Nguyen Tri Son, Director of Ha Tinh Museum, assessed that this is a large family with the largest tradition of education and mandarin examinations in Ha Tinh.

"Those in the Phan Huy family from ancient times to the present have always devoted their efforts to serving the country. Their hearts and careers are always worthy for their descendants to follow. They always have a respected position in the history books of our country," said Mr. Son.

According to Vnexpress.net