A work that portrays the character and soul of contemporary Nghe An people.
Closing the nearly 600 pages of the book, and shutting my eyes, strangely enough, so many whispers arose within me. The 52 portraits not only depicted 52 physiques, 52 personalities, 52 sources of national pride; but I also saw the majestic image of my homeland.
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Thuy Vinh• October 1, 2025
Closing nearly 600 pages of the book, and closing my eyes, strangely, so many whispers arose within me. The 52 portraits not only depicted 52 figures, 52 personalities, 52 sources of pride for the land; but I also saw the vastness of my homeland. There, I found the Lao wind and the scorching sun, the dry sand and storms, the salty taste of fermented bamboo shoots, the sourness of eggplant, the murmur of green tea, moonlit nights spent "following the villagers to listen to singing," the Lam River "draining its heart" yet remaining clear and cool, flowing through the land of folk songs and heartfelt affection, and "lingering promises" hidden in the spicy ginger and salty salt... Yes, it is these sacred sediments hidden beneath the rough surface of Mother Earth that have nurtured the people of that land. It is these hidden currents that have permeated every life, every personality, to build people deeply imbued with the identity of the land: courageous, straightforward, full of compassion, talented, and romantic.
The book"People from Nghe An"It will surely draw you back to the introduction after you close the last page, because of the profoundly insightful message from Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan:"This is a book to read slowly, to think deeply about, to soften your heart while also making it more upright and steadfast. So that someday, when you talk about your homeland, you can say: 'There is a season called the "season of character," which blossoms from pages like this.'"
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The way he speaks of the "season of character," of "blossoming," is the way people talk about light, about flowers, about radiant beauty—in this case, the dignity and character of people who are representative of the land where they were born and nurtured by the rice and potatoes sprouted from the scorching Lao wind.
And precisely 52 contemporary people from Nghe An are "portraits" in this book; they lived, contributed, and left behind timeless values that shaped the cultural and historical landscape of the country. They lived proud lives, lives that brought pride to their homeland. These include our President Ho Chi Minh, to whom no Vietnamese person is without gratitude; the revolutionary Ho Tung Mau; the outstanding diplomat Nguyen Duy Trinh; "General Hai Manh" Chu Huy Man; the Minister - "the general without a rank" Tran Quoc Hoan...; and 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... These include scholars, politicians, educators, journalists, economists, entrepreneurs, academics, scientists, and talented and renowned artists such as the 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; and entrepreneurs Thai Huong, Le Thanh Than...
It's as if everything is stepping out from those sketches to converse about the love for one's homeland that flows in one's veins; about the countless ambitions and aspirations that grew from cassava and sweet potatoes; about the arduous days of battling natural disasters and epidemics, from which one learns to adapt to nature and mature; about the devastation of wars, yet unable to destroy the steadfast hearts loyal to the revolution…
Those"People from Nghe An"It's as if it's conversing with us, speaking of "holding our heads high," never submitting to tyranny and oppression; speaking of a hedge of red hibiscus flowers in our homeland, of the Lam River shimmering under the golden moonlight in the song of the boatman, with a lullaby from our grandmother and mother.
They shared their feelings so that we can move forward today, confidently and proudly. That on this harsh land, people are not only courageous, straightforward, and always upholding their ideals, but also full of romance, talent, imbued with lyricism and rich in compassion.
They are the "seed sowers," they are the "flames" that contribute to the common light, illuminating the character, integrity, intelligence, and compassion of the people of Nghe An, as insightfully observed by Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan.
The book's editor is journalist Nguyen Nhu Khoi, formerly the Director and Editor-in-Chief of Nghe An Radio and Television Station - NTV (now Nghe An Newspaper and Radio and Television Station), and currently a member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council.
Driven by his deep respect and pride in his journalistic career, and his interactions with many people from Nghe An province, he harbored a strong desire to..."To share with everyone the beauty of the people of Nghe An and how to spread those positive values."Several programs on NTV that he previously directed, as well as on the website dbndnghean.vn, have partly helped journalist Nguyen Nhu Khoi realize that aspiration. Later, with the support of friends and colleagues, a knowledgeable and dedicated editorial board came together to brainstorm and create the book "People of Nghe An," a precious gift to readers this meaningful autumn.
Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung assessed:"This book is not only a valuable source of documentation, but also a meaningful spiritual product, further instilling pride and spreading the spirit of the people of Nghe An to present and future generations."
Writer, Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen The Ky - Vice Chairman of the Central Council for Literary and Artistic Theory and CriticismAssessment:"What is valuable is that the work simultaneously celebrates individuals, reflects on the community, records events, and contemplates, creating a vivid, multi-layered picture. This is not simply a collection of portraits, but a cultural work that preserves memories and evokes pride."
The modesty of labeling the book as "Volume 1" suggests this is just the beginning. Many more volumes will follow, continuing to honor the talented and outstanding individuals of Nghe An province. But from the very first volume, "People of Nghe An" has established itself as a cultural history, a spiritual anchor. And more than that:“This book will spread positive cultural values, nurture the aspiration to contribute, and inspire every person in Nghe An to write new chapters in history…”As confirmed by the Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, Nguyen Duc Trung.
What sets this book apart from an ordinary publication is the message it delivers for the present and the future. Read on."People from Nghe An"Through this, we not only recognize the sources that nourish our souls, spirit, and talents, but also see the path we must follow: to continue writing our aspirations and realize our great dreams for our homeland.
As the entire Party Committee and people of Nghe An enter a new Congress, that aspiration burns even brighter. The writings about 52 exemplary contemporary individuals from Nghe An serve as a reminder that they overcame countless hardships and challenges to reach the pinnacle; and today, each of us must inherit that spirit to build Nghe An."soon to become one of the most prosperous provinces in the North", as our beloved President Ho Chi Minh wished.
"People from Nghe An"Therefore, it is not just a book to read, but a book to live by. It urges us to bow down to Mother Earth, so that we may proudly hold our heads high and move forward. It teaches us that, on this harsh land, people not only uphold ideals but also know how to love, be poetic, and possess a rich capacity for compassion.
Allow me 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 the pages themselves to fully appreciate the soul of the people of Nghe An."
