The Ma Nhai Commemoration Inscription - Deserves to be recognized as a National Treasure.

Carved directly into the limestone cliff nearly 700 years ago, the stele is not only a testament to the glorious victory of Emperor Emeritus Tran Minh Tong in the conquest of foreign invaders, but also a symbol of...the spirit of territorial defense and the profound sense of humanity of the Vietnamese people.With its exceptional historical, cultural, and scientific value, this stele fully deserves to be recognized as a National Treasure.

Grinding mountains to engrave steles

After three great victories against the Mongol Empire, the Tran Dynasty quickly set about restoring and developing the country. Under the rule of wise kings and capable generals, the prestige of Dai Viet grew stronger. However, during this time, local chieftains and neighboring countries often sent troops to harass the border regions. After suppressing Nguu Hong in Da Giang, the Laotian ruler Bong started aggression in the western border region of Nghe An.

Emperor Emeritus Tran Minh Tong personally led six armies to fight the rebels in the year of At Hoi, the 7th year of the Khai Huu reign (1335). After witnessing the overwhelming power of the Tran army, the rebels fled. The Emperor Emeritus then ordered the Transport Commissioner Nguyen Trung Ngan to compose this inscription and engrave it on the cliff of Tram Huong mountain to commemorate the victory. This inscription was named "Ma Nhai Ky Cong Bi Van" (Inscription commemorating the victory carved into the mountain) by historians in the Nguyen Dynasty's National History Institute, and is also known as the Thanh Nam stele. According to the inscription, the power of the Tran army caused the rebels to panic and flee without a bloody battle. After the victory, the Emperor Emeritus ordered the Transport Commissioner Nguyen Trung Ngan - a famous Confucian scholar of the Tran Dynasty - to compose the inscription and engrave it on the cliff of Tram Huong mountain to commemorate this event.

With only 14 lines and 155 characters, the stele is concise yet impactful, clearly demonstrating the "resounding prestige" of the Tran dynasty, while also conveying a warning message to any forces intending to invade the borders of Dai Viet.

This event was not only a military victory but also carried profound political significance. The fact that Emperor Emeritus Tran Minh Tong personally led the army was not only aimed at suppressing the rebellion but also at asserting territorial sovereignty, marking a "milestone" in stone on the southwestern land of Nghe An province.

Unique value

The Ma Nhai commemorative stele possesses characteristics that make it a unique artifact. It is an original, one-of-a-kind artifact, remaining intact after nearly 700 years of weathering. The stele is carved into limestone, has no decorative patterns, and no inscription, yet its content is unlike any other stele from the same period. It is the only ancient stele from the Tran Dynasty discovered in Nghe An, and the second oldest Ma Nhai stele in Vietnam to date.

In the entire body of Vietnamese epigraphic documents, this is the only stele specifically associated with the Trần dynasty emperors' efforts to defend the nation's borders. It is also a unique and rare heroic literary work from the Trần period, particularly in Nghệ An province and Vietnam in general.

In Vietnam, the earliest recorded inscription is the Kiến Hưng second year inscription (314) in the village temple of Thanh Hoài hamlet, Thanh Khương commune, Thuận Thành district, Bắc Ninh province. Most inscriptions date mainly from the Lê Trung Hưng and Nguyễn dynasties, while inscriptions from the Lý and Trần dynasties and earlier are very few.

The Ma Nhai stele commemorating military campaigns is currently the only stele from the Tran Dynasty in Nghe An province. It is also unique because it was carved directly into the rock face, unlike other steles which are more like fabricated ones. These steles often record military campaigns or royal journeys, such as the Ma Nhai stele "Personal Campaign to Conquer Le Chau and Cat Han Pass" in Lai Chau and Hoa Binh by King Le Thai To, the Ma Nhai stele "Que Lam Royal Poem" by King Le Thai Tong, or poems carved on the cliffs at Ho Cong Cave by King Le Thanh Tong, King Le Hien Tong, Lord Trinh Sam, Prime Minister Nguyen Nghiem, etc.

The oldest rock inscription in Vietnam is the unnamed stele carved on the cliff of Co Phong mountain (also known as Lien Hoa mountain), Phong Phu village, Ninh Giang commune, Hoa Lu district, Ninh Binh province, bearing the Kien Gia era (1211-1224); followed by the Ma Nhai Ky Cong Bi Van stele bearing the 7th year of the Khai Huu era (1335) at Tram Huong mountain, Chi Khe commune, Con Cuong district, Nghe An province. This is also the oldest stele in Central Vietnam today.

Besides being one of the two oldest rock inscriptions in Vietnam, the Rock Inscription commemorating meritorious deeds, though only 14 lines and 155 characters long, is a large inscription (213cm x 155cm). Interestingly, its characters are record-breakingly large, rightfully ranking among the largest inscriptions on stone steles in Vietnam. According to preliminary measurements, the average diameter of each character is approximately 10.5cm. The largest and most important book on Vietnamese geography during the feudal era, the Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi, clearly states: "...characters as large as a hand, carved more than an inch deep into the stone, still remain today."

Thus, this is a very special type of inscription, often found in border regions and areas with many rocky mountains. Due to its fixed nature, the rock inscription cannot be moved, further confirming the authenticity of the content it conveys. This is truly a rare and valuable document for interdisciplinary scientific research.

The current state of the stele is also a miracle. Despite having survived nearly seven centuries, thanks to its location beneath a protruding rock and natural cover from bushes, the stele has retained its astonishing integrity, defying both time and harsh nature. This not only demonstrates the stone-carving skills of the ancients but also affirms the authentic and irreplaceable value of the artifact.

Historical significance and humanistic spirit

The inscription on the Ma Nhai monument not only provides many valuable and rare sources of information in various fields such as epigraphy, art studies, and historical geography, but also helps in understanding the history, calendar system, and writing system of the Tran Dynasty.

The stele affirms the territory and borders of the Fatherland.

The Northwest and Southwest regions of Nghe An province have always been considered strategically important areas by feudal dynasties. From the Ly Dynasty onwards, there was a policy of distant defense, and historical records show that the Ly Emperor and his skilled generals led dozens of military campaigns to conquer the western border. The Tran Dynasty continued this policy, launching nine campaigns in the area. In the 7th year of the Khai Huu era of the Tran Dynasty, when the Laotians harassed the western border of Vietnam, Emperor Emeritus Tran Minh Tong personally led the army to suppress them. Although the Tran Emperors did not use the title "Dong Chu" (Lord of the Mountain) like the emperors of the early Le Dynasty, they still consciously created literary works inscribed on mountain rocks, both to commemorate military victories and to create "landmarks" to mark the territorial boundaries. The "Ma Nhai Ky Cong Bi Van" (Monument of Military Achievements on the Mountain Rocks), carved by the scholar Nguyen Trung Ngan on the Tram Huong mountain in the winter of the year of the Pig during the reign of Emperor Tran Hien Tong, is the clearest evidence of our ancestors' awareness of territorial preservation.

Inheriting that spirit, during the Early Le Dynasty, in just three reigns—Le Thai To, Le Thai Tong, and Le Thanh Tong—the government led eight military campaigns to conquer rebellious chieftains who sought to completely break away from the influence of Dai Viet. As King Le Thai To himself concluded:

Exam questions on carving rocks

The Viet Tay garrison has been stopped.

(Poem inscribed on the mountain rock)

To guard the western flank of our Vietnam.

Thus, writing prose or poetry and carving it into the rocks in places where our troops personally visited served as a firm affirmation of the nation's territorial sovereignty.

The inscription extols the spirit of humanism in military art.

In the context of war, humanity and peace have become extremely important concepts for preserving human life. War always brings suffering, loss, and hardship to humanity, making us deeply appreciate the value of peace. Instead of using violence and force, the application of deterrence, dialogue, and mutual understanding between parties should be emphasized to end conflicts.

The stele records the Trần Dynasty's victory against the Lao invaders. However, it makes no mention of bloody battles or slaughter, only of the Vietnamese army's display of spirit and prestige that forced the enemy to retreat, and the king immediately returning with his troops. The country successfully defended its borders without any loss of life on either side. This clearly demonstrates a profound strategic thinking, emphasizing avoiding war through wisdom and strategy, rather than relying solely on brute force. It reflects the humanity and shrewd political strategy that minimized losses for both sides, showcasing the wisdom and noble qualities of the Vietnamese people during the Trần Dynasty, deeply imbued with Buddhist compassion.

Peace was the ultimate goal. Perhaps it was later that Nguyen Trai, a national hero and world cultural figure, demonstrated the art of "impartiality" through his brilliant political strategies in the Lam Son Uprising. The strategy of "winning hearts and minds" was a prominent method that helped him and Le Loi subdue the Ming army without resorting to force. His work, "Binh Ngo Dai Cao," is not only a declaration of independence but also reflects the ideology of humanity, patriotism, love for the people, and the clear righteousness of the resistance.

The legacy of Confucian scholar Nguyen Trung Ngan

Unlike other stone steles, the Ma Nhai commemorative stele is carved directly into the rock face and does not specify the author, the calligrapher, or even the decorative patterns. However, it is mentioned in official historical texts such as the Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu by Ngo Si Lien and the Kham Dinh Viet Su Thong Giam Cuong Muc by the National History Institute of the Nguyen Dynasty, which identify the author as Nguyen Trung Ngan - a scholar who passed the Giap Thin examination in the 12th year of the Hung Long reign of Emperor Anh Tong of the Tran Dynasty (1304).

He held many important positions in the court such as Censor, Imperial Censor, Deputy Commissioner of the Privy Council... Notably, in the year of Giap Dan (1314) he was sent as an envoy to the Yuan Dynasty. In 1341, he was appointed to the position of Grand Governor of the Capital (equivalent to the position of Secretary of the Hanoi City Party Committee today) and was the most famous Grand Governor of the Capital in the history of Thang Long - Hanoi.

Therefore, there are currently seven temples dedicated to him in Hanoi. Phan Huy Chú considered him one of the ten most meritorious advisors of the Trần dynasty, on par with General Trần Quang Khải, Mạc Đĩnh Chi, Trương Hán Siêu, Đoàn Nhữ Hài, and Phạm Sư Mạnh.

Not only was he a renowned official in politics, but he was also a talented writer, poet, and compiler. In the field of law, he collaborated with Truong Han Sieu to compile the Penal Code and the Imperial Code, which no longer exist. In poetry, he left behind around 84 poems scattered across collections by later authors, such as Phan Phu Tien's Viet Am Thi Tap, Ho Nguyen Truong's Nam Ong Mong Luc, Bui Huy Bich's Hoang Viet Thi Tuyen, and Le Quy Don's Toan Viet Thi Luc. Because of his literary talent, the Emperor often ordered him to accompany him on campaigns to compile historical records. The Ma Nhai Ky Cong Bi Van is his only surviving literary work.

In particular, in Nghe An province, the Nguyen Cong family in Thai Son commune, Do Luong district, is considered a descendant of Nguyen Trung Ngan. The Nguyen Cong family ancestral temple in Thai Son commune, Do Luong district, has been recognized by Nghe An province as a "Provincial-level historical and cultural relic". The Nguyen Tai family in Thanh Van commune, Thanh Chuong district, is also a descendant of Nguyen Trung Ngan, with notable figures such as Nguyen Tai Can and Nguyen Tai Tue. Also in Nghe An, the Linh Kiem Temple, located in Thuan Ly village, Thuan Son commune, Do Luong district, is a place of worship for the Imperial Scholar Nguyen Trung Ngan. Many streets are named after him in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh City, etc. Many schools in Vietnam also bear his name.

Deserving of the title of National Treasure

With its outstanding historical, cultural, and scientific value, the Ma Nhai commemorative stele fully meets the criteria for recognition as a National Treasure. It is an original, unique artifact with a distinctive form and contains rare information about the Tran Dynasty – a golden age in Vietnamese history. On August 2, 2011, the stele was classified as a National Historical Monument by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and now, the effort to elevate it to the status of a National Treasure is a necessary step in preserving and promoting the value of this heritage.

Recognizing the value of stone inscriptions is not only an acknowledgment of the contributions of our ancestors but also a source of inspiration for present generations.

The Ma Nhai commemorative stele is not just a stone tablet, but a living history book, deeply etched into the cliffs of Tram Huong Mountain. It recounts the heroic spirit of the Dong A era, the wisdom and humanity of the Vietnamese people, and serves as a reminder of the responsibility to protect the territory and maintain peace. Preserving and honoring this heritage is not only a duty but also a source of pride for every Vietnamese citizen, ensuring that these values ​​endure through time.

The inscriptions on the rock inscriptions commemorating the merits of our ancestors possess the physicochemical properties of stone, which is why many of them remain almost intact to this day. These are truly rare and valuable original sources of historical and cultural information, and are heritages that need to be preserved, studied, and widely disseminated among the people. The aim is to preserve and promote the historical and cultural values ​​of the nation, acknowledge the great contributions of our forefathers, and propose sustainable solutions for their preservation and promotion.

The Ma Nhai Ky Cong Bi Van stele is an original, unique artifact, a rare and valuable ancient stele containing significant documentary value for research on history, calligraphy, calendar systems, and administrative place names. This stele meets all the conditions for being proposed for State recognition as a National Treasure.

Tran Manh Cuong