Comrade Chu Trang remained steadfast in his communist ideals.

Comrade Chu Trang (aliases Trang Nhi, Truong Nhi, Phung, Chau Trang), born in 1898 in Long An Trung village, Hoang Truong commune (now Dien Truong commune), Dien Chau district, Nghe An province. As a child, Chu Trang was intelligent and quick-witted. His parents provided him with a good education, and he absorbed new ideas through patriotic literature, poetry, and progressive books and newspapers. He was soon enlightened by revolutionary ideals and actively participated in the patriotic movement in Hoang Truong commune.

In 1925, in response to Phan Chu Trinh's Duy Tan (Modernization) movement and Phan Boi Chau's Dong Du (Eastern Movement), patriotic young people like Chu Hue, Chu Trang, Ho Hung, Chu Van Dam, Truong Than, etc., enthusiastically went abroad to seek a way to save the country. Through the routes of Vuong Thuc Oanh (from Nam Dan) and Nguyen Nang Tuu (from Nghi Loc), Comrade Chu Trang bid farewell to his homeland and, under the guidance of Vuong Thuc Oanh, went to Vinh and then to Siam via Laos. However, the trip was unsuccessful because when the group reached Laos, the Lao guide shirked responsibility and refused to continue. Comrade Chu Trang and the group had to return and wait for another opportunity.

In 1927, the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association was founded in Hoang Truong commune, comprising comrades such as Chu Hue, Ho Hung, Chu Dam, Chu Trang, etc. The Dien Chau Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association developed strongly in the form of establishing farming camps, divided into four groups: the first group established a camp at Eo Nghet, organized by Comrade Hoang Lua (from Thanh Hoa); the second group, founded by Comrade Vo Mai in Trang Ke (Yen Thanh), included Chu Dam, Chu Trang, and a number of active young people from Cam Bao village; the third group was organized by Comrade Nguyen Nang Tuu in the Mung field; and the fourth group, established in Truong Van, included Comrades Le Ty and Le Tai.

Members at the Farming Camp simultaneously increased agricultural production, practiced martial arts, and studied politics. Their study materials were based on lectures given by Nguyen Ai Quoc in Guangzhou. Groups for reading newspapers and books, commenting on patriotic poetry and literature, and charitable associations, as well as the Van Phan fish sauce association, were established, attracting many more participants.

In 1928, Comrade Vo Nguyen Hien learned from the experience of building revolutionary bases at Hieu Yen Xuan to open the Hung Nghiep Hoi commune base at Si train station. Comrades Ho Hung, Chu Trang, Chu Dam, and others mobilized many people to contribute shares for construction with a face value of 50 dong.

In September 1929, the Hoang Truong branch of the Indochinese Communist Party was established, comprising members such as Ho Xien (Secretary), Chu Trang, Chu Dam, Ho Nhiep, Chu Hue, Chu Toan, Le Ty, and others.

Following the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930), on April 28, 1930, at a meeting of the Provisional Executive Committee of the Dien Chau District Party Committee, Comrade Nguyen Phong Sac announced the transformation of the Hoang Truong branch of the Indochinese Communist Party into the Hoang Truong district branch of the Communist Party of Vietnam, comprising comrades Chu Trang, Chu Dam, Ho Hung, Ho Truyen, Ho Nhiep, etc., with Comrade Chu Trang as Secretary. Comrade Chu Trang, along with other party members, actively led the people's struggle movement in Hoang Truong district.

To commemorate International Labor Day on May 1, 1930, Comrade Chu Trang and his comrades in the Party branch organized the hanging of red flags with the hammer and sickle on the roof of Long An communal house and on tall trees in the village. They also assigned Party members in the branch to print leaflets and secretly distribute them along village roads, in markets, and in crowded places. Under the leadership of Comrade Chu Trang and the Hoang Truong Party branch, the people's struggle movement developed strongly.

The development of the revolutionary movement in Dien Chau district necessitated the rapid establishment of Party organizations. Many cadres were sent to Dien Chau by the Provincial Party Committee, including Comrade Chu Van Bien, who contacted Comrade Chu Trang to consolidate the Hoang Truong Party Branch and establish the Yen Ly Party Branch (June 1930).

At the end of July 1930, Comrade Nguyen Huu Binh (also known as Binh Dinh) - a special envoy of the Provincial Party Committee - convened a meeting at the house of Mr. Vu Trung in Van Vat village (Dien Lien) to discuss the establishment of the Dien Chau Party Committee. The meeting unanimously agreed to establish a provisional District Party Committee, consisting of five comrades: Nguyen Duy Trinh as Secretary, Chu Trang as Deputy Secretary, and comrades Ho Tuu, Phan Lac, and Dao Xan as District Party Committee members.

After its establishment, the Provisional Executive Committee assigned responsibilities to each member of the District Party Committee, expanding Party development in the district and other areas. Comrade Chu Trang was assigned by the District Party Committee to build a base in the Dien Chau and Yen Thanh regions.

In October 1930, comrades Nguyen Huu Binh, Chu Trang, and Phan Lac organized a meeting at Bui Xuan Nom's house (Do Thanh) to disseminate the Provincial Party Committee's policy and organize a demonstration throughout the district on the occasion of the anniversary of the Russian October Revolution. The aim was to demonstrate the strength of the masses, demand a reduction in taxes, postpone tax payments, and protest against the imperialist and feudalist forces' oppression of workers in Ben Thuy and farmers in Hung Nguyen district.

On October 14, 1930, under the leadership of Comrade Chu Trang, people from the villages of Hoang Truong gathered at Long An communal house to listen to speeches by Comrades Chu Trang, Chu Hue, and Ho Tuu. From the communal house, the sound of drums thundered, urging the people to enthusiastically charge forward, raising red flags with the hammer and sickle, carrying banners, and wielding sticks, spears, and machetes... marching to the district capital to protest, demanding a reduction in taxes, a postponement of taxes, an abolition of the weekly watch duty, and the distribution of land to the farmers... The protest was suppressed by the green-uniformed soldiers deployed by the district chief Vo Vong. They opened fire, killing and wounding many people, including Comrade Ho Sy Tieng, from Dong Thap village (Dien Hong), who led the group, carrying the flag and commanding.

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On October 28, 1930, Comrade Chu Trang led the people of Hoang Truong commune to organize a rally in Dong Nho (Dien Doai) to hold a memorial service for Comrade Ho Si Thieng. Afterwards, the people of Cao Hau Doan marched to demonstrate against the village headman Nguyen Tham.

To commemorate the 13th anniversary of the Russian October Revolution (November 7, 1930), the Dien Chau District Party Committee launched a struggle movement throughout the district. Following instructions from higher levels, the Hoang Truong District Party Branch held a meeting to plan and assign specific tasks to each cadre and party member. Comrade Chu Trang actively inspected the hanging of flags, prepared slogans, and distributed leaflets to mobilize the masses for the struggle.

On the morning of November 7, 1930, a group of protesters from Hoang Truong commune, led by comrades Chu Trang and Chu Hue, gathered at Long An communal house to join the demonstration with the people of Ly Trai, Van Phan, and other communes, marching towards the district capital to fight. Comrade Chu Trang delivered a speech calling on the masses to unite and bravely advance. As the group marched, they chanted slogans:

- Oppose imperialist war!

- Support Soviet Russia, reduce taxes for farmers!

Terrified by the people's fighting spirit, the enemy frantically opened fire on the protesters, killing and injuring many. Faced with this critical situation, the protesters had to disperse.

Following the demonstration on November 7, 1930, the mass struggle movement intensified, and the Party organization was further strengthened and developed. Comrade Chu Trang, Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, was transferred to the Provincial Party Committee. Amidst the strong development of the revolutionary movement, which presented many new challenges and tasks, Comrade Chu Trang, with his experience and youthful enthusiasm, always fulfilled the tasks assigned by his superiors.

In December 1930, the General Executive Committee consisted of 5 members: Chu Hue, Truong Chau, Vu Xuoc, Ho Hung, and Ho Nhiep. The Party organization of Hoang Truong commune was divided into 7 branches throughout the commune, including 5 official branches and 2 combined branches. These were branches: A, B, C, D, E, and G.

Party Branch B consists of the following comrades: Chu Trang (Secretary), Chu Đàm, Chu Toàn, Chu Huệ, Chu Truật, Hồ Nhiếp, Hồ Xiển, Hồ Truyền, Hồ Tựu, Hồ Thức Nguyên, Hồ Bật, Hồ Hùng, Hồ Nghiêm, Trương Châu, Trương Nghiệm, Trương Ninh, Trương Oanh, Trương Đợi, Chu Hiến ([1])

In early 1931, Comrade Chu Trang was assigned by the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee to reorganize the Dien Chau District Party Committee. The new Executive Committee consisted of comrades: Nguyen Duc Bieu, Nguyen Khoi, Ho Tuu, Le Hung, Nguyen The Hanh, and Ly Lien So.

In April 1931, the people's struggle movement in the region continued to escalate. The enemy launched continuous raids, burning and looting of people's property day and night in the villages of Hoang Truong district. Comrade Chu Trang was unfortunately captured by the enemy and sentenced to life imprisonment. His house and property were burned and confiscated. In prison, the cruel and brutal beatings of the enemy could not break the fighting spirit of the communist. They tortured him until he was exhausted. He bravely sacrificed his life in Buon Ma Thuot prison on September 15, 1931.

The image of martyr Chu Trang, one of the cadres of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee - Deputy Secretary of the Dien Chau District Party Committee in the provisional years - Secretary of the Hoang Truong Party Branch in the years 1930-1931, wholeheartedly dedicated to the revolutionary movement from the very beginning, remains a shining example of patriotism, unwavering will, and sacrifice for the communist ideal, dedicating his youth to the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and the happiness of the people.

Comrade Chu Trang was posthumously awarded the Certificate."The nation honors those who have contributed."According to Decision No. 125/QD-TTg issued on June 17, 1963, the comrade's name is engraved on a memorial plaque at the Memorial House for Soviet Martyrs of Nghe Tinh 1930-1931 within the grounds of the Nghe Tinh Soviet Museum, contributing to educating future generations to always remember the comrade's contributions to the cause of national liberation.

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Note:

Nguyen Van Anh - XVNT Museum