Promoting historical and cultural traditions, building Nam Dan to develop richly, strongly and civilizedly

(Baonghean) - Comrade Thai Van Nong - Chairman of Nam Dan District People's Committee gave an interview to Nghe An Newspaper.

Reporter: Dear comrade! Nam Dan is not only known as the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh but also famous as a land of outstanding people, a land with a long-standing cultural and historical tradition. Could you introduce to the readers of Nghe An Newspaper the unique historical and cultural features of your district?

Comrade Thai Van Nong: Throughout the history of building and defending the country, Nam Dan has carried within itself a long-standing, rich, and beautiful cultural tradition of the nation, while clearly highlighting the unique features of the Nghe region. To the north is the Dai Hue mountain range, to the south is the Thien Nhan range, in the middle is the Lam river, creating a majestic natural landscape here. The Dai Hue range is shaped like an upside-down bell, with mountains on each other; there is Thang Thien cave, Dai Tue pagoda (established by Ho Quy Ly to worship Buddha Dai Tue), Huong Lam pagoda and Thach Tinh well; There are Truc stream, Mai stream, Ngoc Tuyen stream... Dai Hue today, is covered by a large forest area, at the foot of the mountain there are many large lakes and dams creating poetic landscapes such as Trang Den lake, Thung Pheo lake (Nam Hung commune), Cua Ong dam (Nam Nghia commune), Da Han dam, Hung Coc, Rao Bang (Nam Thanh commune)... Perhaps because of the majesty, sacredness and tranquility of this place, Uncle Ho's eldest brother Nguyen Sinh Khiem chose this place as the resting place of his mother Hoang Thi Loan. And today, Mrs. Loan's tomb has become a beautiful and sacred landscape, attracting many tourists to visit the tomb and sightsee every year. Along with Dai Hue, Thien Nhan mountain range consists of 999 mountains; there are Tram hill, Chieng hill, Mau granary, Hoa stream, Boc stream, Bo stream, Mai stream, Thanh lake, Ba Khe lake, Nang valley; There is Tran Khanh Du Temple, Tong Tat Thang Temple, especially Luc Nien Citadel - a place that records the arduous years of fighting against the Ming army of Le Loi and Nguyen Trai. It was here that La Son Phu Tu Nguyen Thiep chose to set up camp in seclusion, keeping his integrity (currently, La Son Phu Tu's tomb has been restored and has become a regular destination for tourists); where King Quang Trung established Sung Chinh Vien... In addition to Dai Hue, Thien Nhan, Dun Mountain in the west of the district (also known as Hung Linh Son) - where the hero Mai Thuc Loan established a base with his army to fight against the Tang invaders (China), gaining independence for the country, and was crowned king. On both sides of Dun Mountain, there is a stream flowing all year round and today Dun Mountain still preserves the relics of Hung Son Citadel, the temple and tomb of Mai Hac De, the tomb of Mai Thuc Huy (son of King Mai) and the tombs of some generals of King Mai.

In Nam Dan, there is also the Lam River flowing through the district, connected with the Thien Nhan and Dai Hue ranges, creating a charming and poetic landscape. On both sides of the Lam River are prosperous villages, interspersed with elaborately built temples, communal houses and shrines, such as Tram Temple (Nam Thuong Commune), the temple and tomb of King Mai, Duc Ong Temple (Van Dien Commune), Vien Quang Tu (Nam Thanh Commune), Nhan Thap Temple (Hong Long Commune), Than Tru Temple, Giap Ca Temple (Xuan Lam Commune), Thanh Ca Temple, Bi Pagoda, Dat Pagoda (Kim Lien Commune), Thong Chinh Temple, Hoanh Son Communal House (Khanh Son Commune), Trung Can Communal House (Nam Trung Commune)...



Boat racing at the Mai King Temple Festival. Photo: Sy Minh.

Nam Dan is a land of outstanding people. Going back in history, we know Mai Thuc Loan in the movement to protect and build national independence from the 9th century to the early 19th century. In Nam Dan, there were also heroes whose temples were built by the people to commemorate their merits, such as Doc Loi Temple (Nam Giang Commune) worshiping General Pham - who had the merit of defeating the invaders of Champa and Bon Man; Thanh Ca Temple (on Chung Mountain - Kim Lien) worshiping General Nguyen Dac Dai; Thong Chinh Temple (on Ngu Nhac Mountain - Khanh Son) worshiping the meritorious soldiers, Doctor Tong Tat Thang; Ho Cuong Temple worshiping Nguyen Canh Mo... During the period of fighting against the French colonialists, Nam Dan continued to give birth to and nurture patriotic scholars, outstanding revolutionaries, such as Tham Hoa Nguyen Duc Dat; Bachelor Vuong Thuc Mau, Vuong Thuc Oanh, Vuong Thuc Quy; Pho Bang Nguyen Sinh Sac; Hiep Quan Tran Xuan; revolutionary predecessor Le Hong Son; founder of the Dong Du movement - patriot Phan Boi Chau. In particular, Nam Dan is the birthplace, nurturing and personality formation of President Ho Chi Minh. This is also a famous place for mandarinate, from 1075 to 1919, it contributed to the country 38 great scholars. Later, when the country was independent, unified, building socialism and developing the country, this land had many famous political, economic, scientific, technical, cultural and artistic activists...

PV: With such natural and traditional advantages, can you tell us how Nam Dan has, is, and will promote those values?

Comrade Thai Van Nong: Nam Dan, together with Vinh City and Cua Lo Town, forms the center and key tourism "triangle" of Nghe An. In recent years, the district has mobilized investment, focused on socializing resources to invest in and restore historical and cultural relics; built people with a civilized lifestyle and behavior, especially at Kim Lien tourist sites, Hoang Thi Loan's tomb, Mai Hac De temple and tomb... Since then, it has attracted more and more tourists, with Kim Lien relic site alone welcoming an average of 1.5 to 2 million tourists each year.

With a tradition of resilience and courage in the struggle to build and defend the country, the people of Nam Dan today are strongly demonstrating the tradition of diligence, hard work, the will to rise up, creativity, solidarity, and building an increasingly rich and civilized homeland. Last year, although it was a year full of hardships and difficulties, the cadres, party members, and people of Nam Dan continued to show their concerns and worries, and focused their intelligence and creative talents to find new steps in the context of a very difficult general economic situation. Reviewing the targets in 2012, Nam Dan had 10/14 targets achieved and exceeded the set plan. The economy continued to grow, reaching 6.29% compared to 2011. The economic structure shifted in the right direction with the proportion of agriculture decreasing to 35.22%; increasing industry and construction to 44.81% and services to 19.95%...



Embroidery line at Hai Vina Kim Lien Company. Photo: SM

In particular, Nam Dan is one of the 5 central steering points for new rural construction, so the Party Committee, government and people here have also shown strong determination to join hands in building new rural areas. The district has completed the approval of the master plan for new rural construction for 23/23 communes, then all communes have deployed the marking according to the plan, completed the draft of the new rural project through the People's Council of the commune. Directed the conversion of agricultural service cooperatives to operate effectively. Dissolved 36/36 old cooperatives to establish new cooperatives operating in accordance with the Law on Cooperatives. Completed land conversion in 3 pilot communes as a basis for completing this work in 2013. Promoted the implementation of the plan to convert crop structure to increase income for people from the capital of the new rural program in 23/23 communes. Along with the integrated programs, people of all walks of life in the district have actively contributed money and effort to build new rural areas.

The cultural and social fields continued to create positive changes. The quality of comprehensive education was improved, the quality of key subjects had quite a change. In the 2011-2012 school year, the rate of high school graduates reached 99.1%; 1,215 students were admitted to universities and colleges; 108 students were excellent students of the province; 1 student won the Gold Medal of the National Math Olympiad for Children; 6 students were excellent students of the country. 37 schools met national standards; 43 schools met the criteria of "friendly schools, active students". The work of protecting and taking care of people's health was well implemented with 22/24 communes recognized as national standards in health. The project to build a cultural district was effectively implemented with 82% of households recognized as cultural families; 55.6% of hamlets, blocks and 74 agencies and units achieved the title of cultural unit. Social policies were well implemented, the poverty rate dropped to 9.62%. Political security and social order and safety were ensured, no "hot spots" occurred...

PV: In the coming time, what will the district do to promote and develop more strongly, sir?

Comrade Thai Van Nong: In the coming time, the people of Uncle Ho's hometown will continue to promote the good qualities left by their ancestors, build the style of people in Nam Dan hometown with qualifications, cultured behavior, the will to rise up, the desire to get rich, build a modern hometown in science and technology, rich in economy, civilized and fair in spiritual and material life. Continue to focus on the work of conservation, embellishment associated with the expansion and development of Sen Village Festival, Mai King Temple Festival..., in order to promote and exploit cultural heritages associated with tourism development in the area, truly becoming a key tourist area of ​​Nghe An. Focus highly on implementing the task of socio-economic development in 2013 - the pivotal year for implementing the 5-year socio-economic development plan (2011 - 2015). All levels, sectors and people of the district are launching revolutionary emulation movements, striving fiercely with the highest determination to achieve the goals and tasks of 2013.

Gradually eliminate conservative and stagnant thinking; take advantage of stimulus policy mechanisms to accelerate the strong and widespread application of scientific and technological advances in production, especially in agriculture, information technology, and medicine. Better implement grassroots democracy, promote internal resources, mobilize and effectively use other resources to invest in synchronously completing socio-economic infrastructure. Promote and effectively implement administrative reforms, actively resolve difficulties, create a favorable environment and conditions to attract investment for socio-economic development, especially in the tourism and service sectors.

Strengthening social activities in the fields of education, health, culture, social policies; effectively solving pressing social issues, especially those related to the environment, preventing and combating corruption and waste, implementing hunger eradication and poverty reduction, creating jobs, etc. Focusing on consolidating and improving the quality of operations of governments at all levels; more effectively implementing grassroots democracy regulations, especially the issue of public democracy; strengthening dialogue with the people; building a coordination mechanism to promote the role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and unions and social organizations in performing the functions of supervision, criticism, and mobilizing people to effectively implement the policies and guidelines of the Party and the State, while protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the people, union members and association members. Constantly consolidating the bloc of solidarity, unity and consensus among the people; building and replicating advanced models and typical examples in all areas of political and social life. Strengthening tourism promotion and advertising to successfully implement the Resolution of the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee on tourism development in Nam Dan district for the period 2011-2015, with a view to 2020.

PV: In 2013, there will be a ceremony to celebrate the 1,300th anniversary of the Hoan Chau uprising, the 1,290th anniversary of King Mai's death, and the King Mai Temple Festival. Could you please tell us the purpose and significance of organizing this event?

Comrade Thai Van Nong: This year, the Central Party Secretariat allows Nghe An to organize the 1,300th anniversary of the Hoan Chau uprising, the 1,290th anniversary of Mai Hac De's death, associated with the Mai King Temple Festival in 2013, on a provincial scale. Through this celebration, we will educate the spirit of patriotism and national pride among all classes of people about the indomitable tradition of generations of Vietnam to gain independence, unity and peace for the country today; introduce the cultural beauty of the people of Nghe An in general and Nam Dan in particular to tourists from all over the country and people nationwide; contribute to building an advanced culture, imbued with the unique cultural identity of Nghe land!

PV: Thank you very much, comrade!

Mai Hoa (performed)