A work depicting the character and soul of contemporary Nghe people
Closing nearly 600 pages of the book, and closing my eyes, it is strange how many whispers arise within me. The 52 portraits not only depict 52 figures, 52 personalities, 52 prides of the country; but I also see the majestic silhouette of my homeland.
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Thuy Vinh• October 1, 2025
Closing nearly 600 pages of the book, and closing my eyes, strangely enough, I felt so many whispers. The 52 portraits not only depict 52 figures, 52 personalities, 52 prides of the country; but I also see the majestic silhouette of my homeland. There is Lao wind and scorching sun, dry sand and storms, the salty taste of pickled bamboo, the sour taste of eggplant, the rustling of green tea, the moonlit nights of "following the guild to listen to singing", the Lam River "draining my heart" but still clear and blue, flowing coolly in the land of love, there are "remaining promises" submerged in spicy ginger, salty salt... That's right, it is the sacred sediments hidden under the rough shell of mother earth that have nurtured the people on that land. It is the secret sources that have penetrated into every life, every personality, to build people with the strong identity of the country: Brave, straightforward, full of affection, talented and romantic.
The book"Nghe An people"will certainly keep you coming back to the opening again, after closing the last page, because of the extremely poignant lines of Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan:“This is a book to read slowly, think deeply, to soften your heart and also become more upright and steadfast. So that in the future when talking about your homeland, you can say: There is a season called “the season of personality”, blooming from pages like this.”
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The way he talks about “season of personality”, about “blooming” is the way people talk about light, talk about flowers, talk about radiant beauty, which here is the dignity and character of people who represent the land where they were born, nourished by rice seeds and potatoes sprouting from the hot Lao wind.
And exactly 52 contemporary Nghe people whose portraits are "drawn" in this book, they have lived, devoted and left behind timeless values, contributing to the cultural and historical appearance of the country. They have lived a proud life, a life that gives pride to their homeland. There is our Uncle Ho, to whom no Vietnamese is not grateful, there is the revolutionary Ho Tung Mau, the excellent diplomat Nguyen Duy Trinh, there is "General Hai Manh" Chu Huy Man, Minister - "general without rank" Tran Quoc Hoan...; there are Professors: Cao Xuan Huy, Dang Thai Mai, Nguyen Xien, Nguyen Thuc Hao, Nguyen Tai Can, Nguyen Canh Toan, Ta Quang Buu, Hoang Dinh Cau, Dang Ngoc Long...; are scholars, politicians, educators, journalists, economists, businessmen, academicians, scientists and talented and famous artists such as famous painter Nguyen Tu Nghiem, writers Hoang Trung Thong, Nguyen Minh Chau, Son Tung, Nguyen Bui Voi, Tran Huu Thung, Hoang Tran Cuong, Thach Quy, musicians Nguyen Van Ty, Hong Dang, Nguyen Tai Tue, Nguyen Trong Tao; businessmen Thai Huong, Le Thanh Than...
It was as if they were stepping out of those sketches to talk about the love for their homeland that always flows in their veins; about the many ambitions and aspirations that grew from cassava and sweet potatoes; about the arduous days of fighting natural disasters and epidemics, so that they could learn to rely on nature to behave and mature; about the devastation of wars that could never destroy the steadfast hearts that wholeheartedly followed the revolution...
Those"Nghe An people"It's like he's talking to us, talking about "raising his head" and never submitting to tyranny or oppression; talking to us about a hedge of red hibiscus flowers from the countryside, about the Lam River shimmering under the golden moonlight in the song of the boatman rowing along, with a lullaby from his grandmother or mother.
They shared their hearts so that we can move forward today, confident and proud. That on this harsh land, people are not only brave, straightforward, always upholding life ideals, but also full of romance, talent, lyricism and compassion.
They are the "sowers", they are the "fires" that contribute to the common light that clearly illuminates the character, intelligence and loyalty of the people of Nghe An, as the profound comment of Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan.
The book's editor is journalist Nguyen Nhu Khoi, former Director and Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Radio and Television Station - NTV (now Nghe An Newspaper and Radio and Television), currently a member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council.
Stemming from the respect and pride in his career as a journalist, having met many "Nghe An people", he nurtured the desire to"share with everyone about the beauty of Nghe An people and how to spread those good values".Some columns on NTV that he directed to be implemented in the past and on the website dbndnghean.vn have partly helped journalist Nguyen Nhu Khoi realize that wish. And later, with the support of friends and colleagues, a knowledgeable and dedicated Editorial Board "got together", came up with the idea to make the book "Nguoi Xu Nghe" come out, becoming a precious gift to readers in this meaningful Autumn.
Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung commented:“The book not only has valuable documentary value, but is also a meaningful spiritual product, adding pride and spreading the spirit of Nghe An people to today's and future generations.”
Writer, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen The Ky - Vice Chairman of the Central Council for Theory and Criticism of Literature and Artsopinion:“What is valuable is that the work both honors the individual and illuminates the community, both records and reflects, creating a vivid picture with many layers of meaning. This is not simply a collection of portraits but a valuable cultural work that preserves memories and evokes pride.”
The modesty in writing “Volume 1” on the cover of the book shows that this is just the beginning. There will be many more volumes to come, continuing to honor the talented and outstanding people of Nghe An. But right from the first volume, “Nghe An People” has established its position as a cultural history, a spiritual support. And more:“The book will spread good cultural values, nurture the desire to contribute, and urge every person of Nghe An to continue writing new pages of history…”as affirmed by Nghe An Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung.
What makes this book stand out from the rest is the message it brings to the present and the future. Read"Nghe An people", we not only realize the sources that nourish the soul, spirit, and talent, but also see the path to take: Continuing to write aspirations, realizing great dreams for the homeland.
At the time when the entire Party and people of Nghe An enter the new Congress, that aspiration is even more burning. The pages written about 52 contemporary and typical people of Nghe An are like a reminder that: They themselves have overcome many hardships and challenges to reach the top; today, each of us needs to inherit that spirit to build Nghe An."soon become one of the best provinces in the North", as wished by beloved Uncle Ho.
"Nghe An people"Therefore, it is not only a book to read, but a book to live. It urges us to bow down to mother earth, to raise our heads with more pride and move forward. It teaches us that, on this harsh land, people not only uphold the ideal of life but also know how to love, be lyrical, and compassionate.
I would like to borrow the words of Associate Professor, Doctor - Writer Nguyen The Ky to conclude this short article:“The best way is to invite readers to turn each page to fully feel the soul of Nghe An people.”
