Further evidence regarding the original text of the poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha" (The Mountains and Rivers of the Southern Country).
(Baonghean)The Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks are wooden printing blocks with reversed characters used for duplicating documents. This was Vietnam's first heritage item recognized by UNESCO as a documentary heritage of humanity and included in the "Memory of the World" program on July 30, 2009.
The collection of Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks currently preserved at the National Archives Center IV (Da Lat, Lam Dong) contains a wealth of information, reflecting many aspects of social life during the Nguyen Dynasty as well as other dynasties. This is a reliable and highly accurate source of documentation. Among the 34,618 woodblocks, there is one engraved version of the poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha" (Mountains and Rivers of the Southern Country). This is the oldest surviving woodblock engraving of the poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha" to this day.
Woodblock prints and rubbings of the poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha" from the Nguyen Dynasty woodblock collection are on display in the outdoor exhibition area (National Archives Center IV – Da Lat).
Many theories suggest that the poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha" existed before, but it was only mentioned during the Ly Dynasty's resistance against the Song invasion when Ly Thuong Kiet sent someone to the Truong Hong and Truong Hat temples to recite it. At a time when the war against the Song invaders was raging fiercely, "Nam Quoc Son Ha"—an immortal poem to boost the morale of the soldiers—served as a message to the invaders that they would suffer defeat if they encroached upon the borders of Dai Viet. The book "Viet Dien U Linh" reflects: "Hearing the resounding recitation of that poem in the temple at night, our troops were all exhilarated. The Song army was terrified and scattered without even fighting."
The poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha" (Mountains and Rivers of the Southern Country) affirms the powerful truth: Vietnam is a nation with its own territory, clearly defined borders, and the right to independence and self-determination of the people is sacred and inviolable. Historically, the poem is considered the first Declaration of Independence of our nation after more than a thousand years of foreign feudal rule.
As an untitled four-line poem, "Nam Quoc Son Ha" (The Mountains and Rivers of the Southern Country) is simply the first four words of the poem that we use as its title. The poem contains only 28 words, but unfortunately, for centuries, many have misinterpreted and misunderstood it. First, regarding the first line: "Nam Quoc Son Ha Nam De Cu" (The Mountains and Rivers of the Southern Country, the Southern Emperor resides). Most textbooks translate this as: "The mountains and rivers of the Southern country, the Southern Emperor resides." Translating "De" as "King" is incorrect, because in our nation's history, those who held power over the destiny of the country in the past often called themselves Emperors (or simply "De"). Emperor is the highest position, the position with the power to appoint many people as Kings, but a King never had the power to appoint anyone as Emperor. Therefore, translating "De" as "King" also fails to fully grasp the immense self-respect and confidence of our ancestors.
According to the Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks preserved in Da Lat, the second line originally reads "Tiệt nhiên phân định tại thiên thư" (Clearly defined in the heavenly book), while textbooks often print it as "Tiệt nhiên định phận tại thiên thư" (Clearly determined destiny in the heavenly book). Thus, the textbooks have printed this line incorrectly. This error in the original text leads to a misunderstanding of the meaning. "Tiệt nhiên phân định tại thiên thư" means that the obvious matter has been clearly divided in the book of heaven. If it were "Tiệt nhiên định phận tại thiên thư," it would not have that meaning; "định phận" would be illogical and would diminish the poem's affirmation of national sovereignty. The difference lies in just two words ("định phận" and "phân định"), but the meanings are vastly different. "Định phận" implies a gift from heaven, a natural blessing. Conversely, "phân định" primarily reflects the ability to establish and assert oneself, a clear inner strength to rise above adversity. As a particularly significant work (considered the nation's first Declaration of Independence), respecting the original text is highly important. Therefore, with a sense of respect for the original, a tentative translation of the poem could be: "The rivers and mountains of Southern Vietnam belong to the Southern Emperor / Clearly defined in the book of Heaven / Why do the invaders dare to trespass? / You will be utterly defeated."
The woodblock print of the poem "Nam Quoc Son Ha" (Mountains and Rivers of the Southern Country) from the Nguyen Dynasty woodblock collection is part of the Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu (Complete History of Dai Viet). This print consists of one page (page 9), volume 3, from the reign of Ly Nhan Tong, and the print is still very clear. Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu is a historical book that originated during the Later Le Dynasty. The Nguyen Dynasty woodblock collection includes not only prints from the Nguyen Dynasty but also prints brought from the Imperial Academy (Thang Long) during the reigns of Emperors Minh Mang and Thieu Tri, or copies of books from previous dynasties that the Nguyen Dynasty had reproduced verbatim. Whether printed during the Later Le Dynasty or the Nguyen Dynasty, this is the oldest surviving woodblock print of "Nam Quoc Son Ha." Through the Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks, we gain a clearer understanding of the spirit of this iconic poem.
Le Khac Nien (National Archives Center IV, No. 2 Yet Kieu Street, Ward 5, Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province)
