Those who keep the flame of learning alive in President Ho Chi Minh's homeland.
In some places, young people tend to choose to work far from home or go abroad for labor instead of pursuing higher education, and many once-renowned educational regions are gradually fading away over time.
Meanwhile, in Xuan Hoa, a simple and peaceful rural area in Nam Dan district, there are many elderly people who diligently and tirelessly strive to preserve the tradition of valuing education for future generations.
The person who built the stele commemorating the academic achievements.
That's Mr. Nguyen Manh Tuyen – a retired official whom the people of Xuan Hoa commune (Nam Dan district) call a "living dictionary" of the commune. He has persistently collected, recorded, and compiled a list of talented people, PhDs, and outstanding figures of Xuan Hoa commune throughout its history. At the age of 80, Mr. Tuyen pondered: "I have to do this because I want the younger generation in my homeland to understand the tradition of studiousness, to understand the importance of learning, and to continue that tradition."
During his diligent journeys on his rickety motorbike, Mr. Tuyen went from house to house, asking each person, searching through ancient documents to compile the most complete list possible. Some trips were short, others long; some were on fine days, while others involved arduous days of sun and rain. Out of concern for him, his family and relatives repeatedly advised him to rest, but to no avail. Once he obtained information and documents, he would stay up all night writing the complete article.
Based on this list, he was determined to mobilize the government and the people to build a memorial monument for scholars in the commune to honor learning. His determination and perseverance paid off. In 2021, the Xuân Hòa commune's memorial monument was meticulously and solemnly constructed on high ground, in a spacious, airy, and auspicious location, southwest of Anh hill, near Hương Lâm pagoda and Thôn Lễ temple.
The project lists the scholars of the commune from 1918 onwards, including 12 PhDs and Associate PhDs, 45 Bachelors and Master's degree holders, and 104 Bachelor's degree holders; it also lists 67 people from Xuan Hoa with doctoral degrees or higher during the period 1919-2017; the list will continue to be updated. This is a rare list that not every commune has, and it is a project that not every locality can undertake.
“During the construction of the memorial, gaining the support and consensus of everyone was quite challenging. There was no precedent for building a memorial for scholars in a commune, so at times, I was the only one persistent with this idea. I hope the project will convey a meaningful message about the tradition of learning and academic achievement, encouraging and motivating future generations to study, and giving them the impetus to dedicate their talents and intellect to serving their homeland and country.
Mr. Nguyen Manh Tuyen, Xuan Hoa commune (Nam Dan district)
The veteran recounts historical events.
For many students in Nam Dan district, Colonel Nguyen Huy Huong is a familiar figure. He frequently participates in historical storytelling activities for them.schoolIn the local area, with many descendants of the Nguyen Huy family in Xuan Hoa commune, he regularly implemented scholarship programs, encouraged and inquired about their studies. After 40 years of service in the military, Mr. Huong returned to his hometown with the greatest hope of accompanying the younger generation on their journey to preserve and promote the local tradition of studiousness and academic excellence.
“I enlisted in 1969 and participated in the Route 9 – Khe Sanh Campaign, the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, and the Southwestern Border Campaign. In those three battlefields, I was wounded three times, the most dangerous being in a battle in Cambodia, where I was shot near the heart; the scar remains to this day. My wife also served in the military and is a war invalid,” Mr. Huong briefly introduced himself. Throughout the conversation, he spoke very little about himself, despite having held positions such as Party Secretary and Political Commissar of the Technical Department of Military Region 4, and being one of the 30 exemplary individuals who contributed to the revolution in the entire province. He spent most of the time sharing his concerns about continuing the patriotic and studious traditions of his homeland and family for the younger generation.
In his conversations with students, he vividly "ignited" patriotism and national pride through the arduous battles fought to win independence and freedom. The example of sacrifice and courage of Ho Chi Minh's soldiers was conveyed in a highly engaging way.
"Our forefathers bravely sacrificed themselves so that we could live in prosperity and happiness in peace. Through knowledge and learning, you, our descendants, should continue to write the glorious and prosperous chapters of our nation's history. That is the most practical way to repay them."
Colonel Nguyen Huy Huong - Xuan Hoa commune (Nam Dan district)
During his 10 years as Chairman of the Veterans Association of Nam Dan District, Mr. Huong conducted 20 traditional talks for 30,000 students and teachers from high schools and junior high schools in the district.
His story not only helps students better understand the difficult yet heroic period of the country's history but also shows the significant contributions of the people of Nam Dan district to the nation's historical development. As the person in charge of promoting education for the Nguyen Huy clan in Hai Phong hamlet, in addition to rewarding children with good academic achievements, Mr. Huong also calls for and mobilizes resources to support and encourage children from disadvantaged families to continue their education…
Perhaps it was because of these concerns that all three of his sons achieved high academic results and held important positions in their careers; his grandchildren all attended specialized schools in Hanoi, Nghe An province, and Nam Dan district.
New school yearThese days, wherever you go in Xuan Hoa commune, you hear people excitedly chatting about the start of the school year and the enrollment of new university students. In many localities, choosing not to go to university or to work abroad has become a trend for a significant portion of young people, but in Xuan Hoa, thanks to the perseverance and diligence of the older generation, education remains an encouraged choice and a proud path for many families and clans.
