Vietnam Historical Science Association awards bronze statues to 3 Nghe An PhDs

(Baonghean.vn) - On June 17, at the Temple of Literature, the Vietnam Historical Science Association held a ceremony to present bronze statues of three doctors of the Nguyen Trong family from Trung Can village (Nam Dan, Nghe An).

Before being handed over, the three statues were kept at the Temple of Literature. Photo: Ho Viet Thinh

Speaking at the ceremony, Historian Duong Trung Quoc - President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, assessed that this activity will contribute to proving that history is a very specific face. "The statues are to worship him and spread patriotism, as well as the love of learning of the ancients," said Mr. Duong Trung Quoc.

The three Doctors whose statues were cast include: Nguyen Trong Thuong (1681-1738), from Trung Can commune, Thanh Chuong district - now Trung Can village, Nam Trung commune, Nam Dan district (Nghe An province), at the age of 32, passed the Third Class of the same Doctorate exam, Nham Thin year, Vinh Thinh 8 (1712) under King Le Du Tong. He served as an official to the position of Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and was sent to the Qing Dynasty as an envoy. When he returned to Hankou, he fell ill and died. He was posthumously awarded the title of Left Minister of Personnel, and the title of Can Quan Cong.

The main funding for casting the statue was contributed by descendants of the Nguyen Trong family. Photo: Ho Viet Thinh

Nguyen Trong Duong (1724-1786), son of Nguyen Trong Thuong, uncle of Nguyen Duong. At the age of 46, he passed the Third Class Doctorate exam, Canh Hung 30 (1769) under King Le Hien Tong. He served as an official to the position of Han Lam Hieu Ly. He went to the Qing Dynasty as an envoy (1761), and upon his return, he was promoted to Lang Son Governor, with the title of Lap Son Count. Later, he was assigned to Thuan Quang Town. When the Tay Son army besieged Phu Xuan citadel (1786), he died in battle (June 1786), and was posthumously awarded the title of Huu Thi Lang and the title of Marquis.

Nguyen Duong (1746- ?), 34 years old, passed the Third Class of the Doctorate exam, Canh Hung 40 (1779) under the reign of Le Hien Tong. He became an official with the position of Han Lam Hieu Thao, and was ordered to be a Deputy Envoy to the Qing Dynasty. Upon his return, he was promoted to Thi Che, Governor of Lang Son, and titled Chi Phong Ba. At the beginning of King Gia Long's reign, he was summoned to hold the position of Inspector of Son Nam.

Descendants of the Nguyen Trong family receive statues of the family's Doctors. Photo: Ho Viet Thinh

The three statues are part of the program "Each person, one drop of bronze to cast statues of famous people", a socialized project jointly implemented by the Vietnam Historical Association, the Hanoi UNESCO Association, the Heritage Association and the Circle Group. After the donation, the three statues will be displayed at the Nghe An Museum and then brought to the family temple.

Ho Viet Thinh