The ancient capital of Van An
(Baonghean) - Ngoc Trung village, formerly part of Dong Liet commune (1810), now Nam Thai commune, Nam Dan district, Nghe An province, is where Mai Thuc Loan was born and raised, enduring countless hardships and humiliations as an orphan until he became the supreme leader of the Hoan Chau Uprising (KNHC).
(Baonghean) - Ngoc Trung village, formerly part of Dong Liet commune (1810), now Nam Thai commune, Nam Dan district, Nghe An province, is where Mai Thuc Loan was born and raised, enduring countless hardships and humiliations as an orphan until he became the supreme leader of the Hoan Chau Uprising (KNHC).
Over 12-13 centuries, through countless ups and downs and transformations of nature and humanity, the summit of Con Chen is now just a flat area overgrown with trees. Yet, on the anniversaries of the deaths of King Mai's mother and King Mai himself, the local people still often return here to light incense and pay their respects.
Dr. Nguyen Quang Hong, a lecturer in Vietnamese History at Vinh University, who meticulously compiled information about the life and career of King Mai, expressed his regret: "I don't understand why, when surveying and constructing the historical and cultural relic complex of the tomb and temple of King Mai's mother, King Mai himself, and the temple of General Nguyen Huynh - one of the four generals and a major contributor to the resistance war..., those responsible did not conduct a survey and rebuild the house where the king was born and raised with his mother on Con Chen hill?" We hope that this will be completed as soon as possible so that all visitors and future generations can know the place where the king was born, grew up, and developed a patriotic spirit, ready to join the people of Nghe An and the entire nation in rising up to overthrow the Tang dynasty's rule and win independence for the country.
Dr. Hong, as well as other historical researchers who have devoted their time and effort to collecting information through legends and remaining relics, have concluded that this place was once the headquarters of the Van An Citadel and the capital of an independent nation for nearly 10 years during the period of Chinese rule. According to Dr. Hong, the Van An Citadel was the headquarters of the Northern Domination, built in Van An village, now part of Van Dien commune.
The distance from the citadel to the Lam River was only 1km, thus the river became a natural moat completely protecting the Van An headquarters on the south side.
Near Con Ve is the Ram Valley, located on the Hung Son mountain range, covering an area of several tens of hectares. Surrounded by mountains and numerous small streams flowing into the Lam River, it was ideal for naval training. For generations, the local people have passed down stories of the Ram Valley, a place where soldiers were trained and provisions were stockpiled during the early days of the rebellion. It was also the site of the final battle commanded by Mai Thieu De (Mai Thuc Huy, son of Mai Hac De) and the final resting place of the Mai father and son. About 1km west and northwest of Van An Citadel lies the vast, low-lying area of Ho Non.
Based on the few remaining traces of place names, researchers deduce that the Van An Citadel was built thanks to the ingenuity and efforts of the Nghe An community. This was also the site of a military meeting between Mai Hac De's forces and those of the Javanese, Javanese, Chenla, and 32 surrounding provinces, creating a powerful force of up to 300,000 people.
According to Mr. Ho Sy Huy, a teacher of Vietnamese History at Vinh University, the following explanation is given: Although the career of Mai Hac De has not been thoroughly researched, the fact that Tu Huc, a powerful eunuch and loyal subject of the Tang dynasty, had to personally lead troops to attack shows just how powerful Mai Hac De was. With this formidable force, Mai Thuc Loan quickly overthrew the entire Tang dynasty's rule from the Lam River basin to the Northern Delta, including the capital of Tong Binh, bringing independence and self-determination to the nation. After overthrowing the Tang dynasty, Mai Thuc Loan declared himself Emperor, commonly known as Mai Hac De, and his headquarters in Van An became the capital under the reign of Mai Hac De!
Ho Ha
