The teacher from Nghe An taught the children of the King and the grandchildren of the Lord.

Located on Cam Mountain in Trang Son Commune, Do Luong District, facing southwest, the tomb and temple of Phan Sy Tuan is in a prime location. Standing at the site, visitors can see a prosperous village with a poetic and majestic landscape. Truly worthy of the eternal resting place of a talented man from Nghe An.

Phan Sy Tuan Temple at Cam Mountain, Trang Son Commune, Do Luong District. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

According to the Phan Sy family genealogy, Mr. Phan Sy Tuan, also known as Phan Nguyen Tuan, was born around the 50s and 60s of the 18th century. He is the 5th generation of the Phan Sy family in Trang Son commune, the second son of Mr. Phan Sy Oanh and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kieu.

Born into a poor family, from a young age, Phan Sy Tuan was given a good education by his parents. He was naturally bright, intelligent, and eager to learn, so he remembered everything he learned and had better writing and conversation skills than others.

In the year of Quy Mao (1783), the 44th year of Canh Hung, Phan Sy Tuan packed his bags and left to take the Huong exam and won the Nguyen Huong Cong prize. He was recruited to be a student at the Quoc Tu Giam School in Thang Long. Later, he was appointed as a Lecturer in the palace.

During his time as a Lecturer, he showed himself to be a scholar with profound knowledge and exemplary character. His students were mainly the children of Kings and Lords. Phan Sy Tuan was always loved by his students and respected by his colleagues. In the year At Ty (1785), the 46th year of Canh Hung, Phan Sy Tuan was awarded the title of Thuong Khanh by the royal court.

The upper space of Phan Sy Tuan temple. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

At the end of the Canh Hung period, the feudal governments of Dang Ngoai and Dang Trong were both corrupt and beyond saving, and peasant uprisings broke out in many places. A typical example was the uprising of the three Tay Son brothers in Dang Trong that overthrew the Nguyen Lord's government. In early 1786, Nguyen Hue led his troops to the North, raising the flag of "supporting Le and destroying Trinh", overthrew the Trinh Lord, and enthroned Le Chieu Thong. However, after Nguyen Hue withdrew to the South, the remnants of the Trinh Lord rose up again. At the same time, taking advantage of the weakening of the court, many gangs of robbers arose everywhere. In that chaotic context, Mr. Phan Sy Tuan asked the court for permission to return to his hometown to open a school.

On October 15, Binh Ngo year (1786), Canh Hung 47th year, on his way back home, he was assassinated by the puppet army of Thien Ly Phuong led by Chuong Thuoc. Upon hearing the news of his assassination, the people in the area were extremely saddened and held a funeral for him and buried his body in Mo Hung land. After Phan Sy Tuan passed away, the court granted him land for worship and handed it over to the village to worship.

Although his life and career were unfinished, Mr. Phan Sy Tuan's contributions to the country were short-lived, he left his students, friends and people with respect and admiration. He lived a very simple life, was filial, respected loyalty and always put "Heart" first.

Stone tea tray, one of the ancient artifacts at Phan Sy Tuan temple, has many Chinese characters engraved around the base of the tray. Photo: Ngoc Phuong

Admiring a talented but ill-fated, gentle and virtuous man, the people of Trang Thinh village, Trang Son commune, Do Luong district honored him as the local tutelary god. People from neighboring areas often come to the temple to worship him. Currently, the temple has many valuable ancient artifacts such as: incense burners, stone tea trays, royal decrees and many sacrificial objects...

His body was buried right behind the temple. In 2018, Phan Sy Tuan's tomb and temple were recognized as a provincial historical and cultural relic.