Hoang Trung Thong - a poet with the spirit of a true Nghe An native.

"Nurturing seeds" from Tho Doi village

Poet Hoang Trung Thong (1925-1993) was born and raised in Quynh Doi commune (Quynh Luu district), formerly known as Tho Doi village, a renowned "land of learning" in Nghe An province. This place has nurtured countless talents in many fields, most notably in literature and art.

Some have unhesitatingly asserted that there is a "literary vein" in Quynh village, meaning that this land has a literary tradition flowing from generation to generation. As if absorbing energy from this traditional source, the poet Hoang Trung Thong soon revealed and affirmed his position in Vietnamese literature. He studied at Vinh National School, then joined the revolution and became a renowned poet...

The late poet Hoang Trung Thong. Archival photo.

Literary researchers and critics affirm that in every era and on every subject matter, Hoang Trung Thong always produced excellent poems, deeply imprinted with the essence of life. For example, during the resistance war and national reconstruction, the poet's "Song of Breaking New Ground" contributed to the strength of will and determination of the entire people in labor and production:Our hands create everything / With human effort, even stones can be turned into rice."

Or the poem "When Will You Return?" expresses the deep and touching affection between soldiers and civilians:The older brothers return with great fanfare to the gate, followed joyfully by their younger siblings. Their elderly mother, dressed in her brown robe, bids them farewell, rejoicing at her sons returning from the deep forest.…”.

And here is an image from the article "The Head of the Cooperative," praising the development of the cooperative economy in the 1960s:He raises his hand to paint in the green field / Painting tomorrow into a picture..

In particular, when studying and researching the poetry of President Ho Chi Minh, the poem "Reading Uncle Ho's Poetry" by Hoang Trung Thong is considered a "guiding principle," providing direction in exploring the theme, ideology, and artistic value:I read a hundred poems, a hundred beautiful ideas / The light shines brightly on my youthful head / Uncle Ho's verses, verses of steel / Yet still vast and boundless with love"

The poem is concise but encapsulates, to some extent, President Ho Chi Minh's poetic style: radiant with "steel"—a fighting spirit—but also overflowing with poetic qualities—a deep sense of affection.

Hoang Trung Thong's poetry is considered both simple and unpretentious, yet rich in contemplation and philosophy. This stems from his sincere emotions, genuine feelings, and aesthetic sensibilities that resonate with the majority of the public who appreciate literature and art.

Quynh Doi commune, Quynh Luu district (Nghe An province) - the hometown of poet Hoang Trung Thong. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

The poet's creations are often intimately connected to life, yet not superficial; they accompany the breath of life and are warmly received. Therefore, Hoang Trung Thong's poetry possesses a simple beauty distilled from everyday life.

The "Nghệ An scholar" style

Besides writing poetry, Hoang Trung Thong also wrote literary research and criticism, and translated foreign literary works. He made significant contributions to translating and introducing many poems by Du Fu, Lu You, Pushkin, Mayakovsky, Simonov, and modern Chinese poetry, as well as participating in the translation of Vietnamese poetry from the Ly and Tran dynasties…

This demonstrates that he was a multi-talented and erudite individual, proficient in both Chinese studies and Eastern culture, while also being well-versed in and adapting the essence of Western culture to create his own valuable intellectual heritage.

With his gentle face, thoughtful expression, high forehead, and long, white hair and beard, the poet Hoang Trung Thong exuded the aura of a sage. Like the line in Han Mac Tu's poem, "The poet's demeanor is like his poetry," the poet Hoang's personality was always simple, unpretentious, and deeply sincere.

Those who worked at the Institute of Literature during his time as Director all shared the same observation: he was a leader but very simple, unassuming, and averse to the formalities of an official. Therefore, our poet was quite sociable, having many close friends who were renowned artists and cultural figures such as poets Xuân Diệu, Chế Lan Viên, Anh Thơ, and Mộng Tuyết; and famous painters such as Dương Bích Liên, Nguyễn Sáng, and Diệp Minh Châu...

Poet Hoang Trung Thong (seated in the middle) with poet Bao Dinh Giang (far left) and painter Mai Van Hien. Archival photo.

Nurtured in Tho Doi village, poet Hoang Trung Thong possessed both talent and erudition, as well as the eccentricity of a "Nghe An scholar." Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huu Son, former Deputy Director of the Institute of Literature, who worked as a researcher under Director Hoang Trung Thong, recounted that in 1980, the organization suggested he apply for the title of Professor, and he received widespread support.

But he said, "I'm a poet. That's enough. What's the point of being a professor?" When there was a plan to reduce staff, he said, "I'll be laid off first. With such low salaries, where will the rest of you go?"

The wife of poet Hoàng Trung Thông was Hồ Thị Hoa, a virtuous woman from a prominent family in Quỳnh village. Their marriage was arranged by their families, but they lived together harmoniously and loved each other wholeheartedly.

Although her husband loved poetry, wine, and socializing with friends, Mrs. Hoa remained devoted to him, showering him with affection and care. The family spent most of their time in Hanoi, and they had five children named after five flowers, all of whom became successful: Bich Hong, Bich Lien, Bich Ha, Huong Duong, and Phuong Vy.

It can be said that Hoang Trung Thong lived his life to the fullest, dedicating himself to poetry, his family, and his friends. Future generations will forever remember his legacy with gratitude and respect. The Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts awarded to him speaks volumes! And before that, the city of Vinh already had a street named after him!