A historical relic needs to be protected and restored.

National Monument Ranking

Leading us up, hastily pulling dry bamboo to make a fence to separate the cattle, Mr. Nguyen Tien Vuong - captain of the Tran Tan relic protection team lamented: "Look, there is no one to burn incense, only occasionally a few children herding buffaloes sitting around pulling grass. If a national historical relic is like this...". Located on a hill in a land rich in patriotic traditions (Thanh Chi - Thanh Chuong) for more than 130 years, the tomb of the commander of the Giap Tuat (1874) uprising - Tran Tan - has deteriorated a lot. Grass and wild plants grow everywhere, covered with moss.

Tran Tan's Tomb

Leaving the tomb, we visited Tran Tan Church. Unlike many other historical sites, Tran Tan Church is always in a state of "closed doors and bolts", the bamboo fence is only occasionally lifted for cleaning.

Tran Tan was from Thanh Chi commune, Thanh Chuong district. Since childhood, he was famous for being intelligent and quick-witted. Thanks to the influence of his family and the studious land, he soon passed the bachelor's exam and became a prestigious person in the region. When King Tu Duc issued the edict "peace is the national strategy... Discussing peace is a meritorious person, discussing war is a crime", Tran Tan was not convinced. He nurtured the will to raise the flag of uprising in the year of Giap Tuat 1874.

Moved by the patriotism and chivalry of this scholar, the people built a temple in Thanh Chi commune, Thanh Chuong district. It was not until 2004 that Tran Tan's tomb, temple and flag-raising ceremony were recognized as a National Historical Relic. However, up to now, the relic is gradually becoming a ruin and will become a ruin in the near future. The government and the people are helpless because they have to worry about their daily lives. We request that relevant levels and sectors study and find solutions to protect and restore a valuable historical relic.

Binh Minh - Nguyen Khoa