Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
ENGLISH
SUMMARY
GO CONG:
PROMINENT MARKS
BOOK No.1
Go Cong currently consists of three districts and one town: East
Go Cong, West Go Cong, Tan Phu Dong (established in 2008) and
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
Go Cong town. This is an old land opening an important gateway
in the Mekong River Delta for the country’s largest city - Saigon
(HCM city). Depending on historical stages, this small area was
either a province or county or district, but the name of Go Cong is
eternal, with the peculiarities that did not change much with time.
The Mekong River Delta as well as Go Cong region always has
relatively normal climate, not often suffering devastating storms
experienced by Northern and Central Viêt Nam every year;
however, it did encounter a dreadful storm held in 1904 (Bão Giáp
Thìn), with heavy damages and losses on agricultural production,
houses, animals and more than 5,000 lives.
Go Cong has more advantages than other parts of the
Mekong River Delta, thanks to its access to East Sea, Mekong
river, HCM city, Long An and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.
Nonetheless, this land has not yet been well developed in the past
four decades, compared to Tien Giang’s other districts because its
territory is isolated by rivers, seas and its infrastructures needed
for faster economic development are lacking. Go land’s huge
potentials await skillful hands and brains under dynamic political
leadership to help its people make progress, prosperity and modern
life while the population is ever growing.
1. HISTORY OF GO CONG ESTABLISHMENT
Go Cong territory was formerly belonged to the Khmer’s Thuy
Chan Lap, in the name of Loi Lap. This region was fully covered
by tropical forests and surrounded by large rivers, ocean with so
many wild animals. Its environment was not quite good for
newcomers, sparsely populated with only Khmer residents
scattering over sand mounds and highlands and living on farming.
1.1 Go Cong under Lord Nguyen
During the Trinh - Nguyen war period, many Vietnamese find life
in Southern lands, due to their spiritual anguish. First Vietnamese
group migrated to the South, consisting of the following
components: war victims, persons tired or against the regime,
exiled ones, prisoners, landless people... Gradually, they adapted
new life in reclaimed newlands. The migration was Lord Nguyen’s
main focus on the South for a century starting from 1658 to 1757.
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In 1753, Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat ordered Mr. Nguyen
Cu Trinh to send troops to defeat Chan Lap. King Nac Nguyen
took refuge to Ha Tien and offered Lord Nguyen the lands of Tam
Bon (Tan An) and Loi Lap (Go Cong); thus, Loi Lap was
officially under Viet Nam’s control since then. The first two
settlement centers in Loi Lap are Rach Lá area (Cho Dinh, Dong
Son today) on the bank of Tra River (a branch of Vam Co River)
and Go Cong area lying from Go Rua to Go Tre.
1.2. Go Cong under Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1864)
Initially Lord Nguyen placed Loi Lap in Kien Hoa Canton, Chau
Dinh Vien, Dinh Long Ho. In 1779, Lord Nguyen Phuc Anh
established Dinh Truong Don and put Kien Hoa Canton in Kien
An District, Dinh Truong Don. Later, Dinh Truong Don was
renamed to Tran Dinh (1781).
Under King Gia Long (1802-1819): Kiến Hòa district
has two cantons: Kiến Thạnh canton and Hòa Bình canton,
consisting of 151 hamlets, villages.
Under King Minh Mạng (1820-1840): In 1831, a part of
Kiến Hòa land was separated and became Tân Hòa district
belonging to phủ Kiến An, Định Tường province.
Under King Thiệu Trị (1841-1847): In 1841, The King
took a part of Tân Hòa land to establish Tân Thạnh district. Tân
Hòa district and Tân Thạnh district belonged to phủ Hòa Thạnh,
Gia Định province.
Under King Tự Đức (1847-1883): In 1852, the King
eliminated phủ Hòa Thạnh and placed Tân Thạnh district into Tân
Hòa district under Phủ Tân An, Gia Định province.
1.3. Go Cong under French Colonization (1864-1954)
French troops invaded Go Cong in 1861 and fully mastered Tan
Hoa territory of South Court after defeating District Chief Do
Trinh Thoai’s and General Marshal Truong Dinh’s insurgents
(1864).
After completing invasion, the French authority divided
South Viet Nam into 20 zones. Go Cong zone (county) at that time
had 37 villages under four cantons: Hoa Dong Thuong, Hoa Dong
Ha, Hoa Lac Thuong and Hoa Lac Ha. Then Go Cong turned into
a district of My Tho province. Until 1924, the district was
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upgraded to Go Cong province, having 5 cantons and 40 villages.
Head of each province is French Chanh Tham Bien (Chief Judge)
concurrently Senior Provincial Chief. The County Council is the
hyphen between the people and the Senior Provincial Chief.
1.4. Go Cong after 1954
Since 1955, Go Cong Province was reorganized into two new
districts: Chau Thanh District and Hoa Dong district. Hoa Dong
Trung canton was abolished and merged into Hoa Dong Thuong
and Hoa Dong Ha canton.
After the 01-11-1963 coup, Go Cong was restored to the
province. By April 1964, Go Cong province was officially divided
into four districts (Hòa Đồng, Hòa Lạc, Hòa Tân and Hòa Bình)
and 32 communes.
1.5. Gò Công after 30-4-1975 events
After the events of April 30, 1975, the new government placed Go
Cong back to Tien Giang province (Dinh Tuong). Go Cong was
divided into two districts: East Go Cong and West Go Cong, Tien
Giang province. Later, Go Cong town was added (old town). In
2008, by Decree No. 09/2008/ND-CP Tan Phu Dong district was
newly established in Loi Quan Island (between Cua Tieu and Cua
Dai estuaries), including the six communes taken from the districts
of East and West Go Cong.
2. GEOGRAPHY, LANDS AND RESOURCES
- Geographical location: Go Cong is located near East Sea with
a coastline of 32 kilometers, on the northern bank of Tien Giang
River, and about 58 km from south of Saigon.
- Administrative units: Go Cong has 4 units of District level: Go
Cong town, East Go Cong district, West Go Cong district and Tan
Phu Dong district, 2 Towns: Vinh Binh (West Go Cong) and Tan
Hoa (East Go Cong), and 32 villages. Go Cong town is the center
of political, economic, cultural, educational and commercial
activities.
- Natural land area is 862.98 km2, accounting for 34% of Tiền
Giang province; population of 454,563 people (2009) including
Go Cong town of 53,699 people, East Go Cong 190,177 people,
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West Go Cong 167,761 people and Tan Phu Dong 42,926 people,
accounting for 27% of the province; and high density: 527 people
per km2. The total natural land area of Tien Giang province is
2481.8 km2 with a total population of 1,670,216 people (2009)
and density of 706 people per km2.
- Topography: Go Cong has no hills, but the land is quite flat,
alternating with mounds, approximately 0.4 to 0.8 m above sea
level and slopes are slight less than 1% from the West to East.
There are also many sand mounds from 0.9 to 1.1 m height,
standing out well above the surrounding plain.
- Roads: Go Cong has National highway 50 starting from the 8th
District in HCM City to Binh Chanh, Can Giuoc, Can Duoc, East
Go Cong, Go Cong town, West Go Cong, Cho Gao and ending at
National Highway 1A, Trung Lương, Tien Giang Province, with a
total length of 94.2 km.
- Climate: In general, Go Cong has climatic characteristics of the
Mekong River Delta, influenced by tropical monsoon and there are
2 distinct seasons per year: the rainy season and the dry season.
- Soils: Go Cong has three main soil categories: alluvial soil
group, saline soil group accounting for 34,143 ha or 14.6% of
natural area, and sandy mounds group accounting for 3.1% of
natural area to 7.336ha.
- Hydrology and water resources: Go Cong is situated in the
areas affected by the regime of uneven tide from the East Coast.
Annually, saltwater intrusion takes place in the northern and
southern areas of the East Go Cong District canal system with an
average salinity of 4.5 g/liter. In the mid-1990s, this district has
the additional water supply from runoff irrigation system, mainly
fresh water canal systems of “Go Cong sweeternizing program”,
through the main canals.
- Rivers: There are three main rivers: Soai Rap river (30 km),
Vam Co river (22 km from its estuary), and Tien Giang river
which supplies fresh water, flowing 115km through the territory of
Tien Giang including East Go Cong and West Go Cong.
- Marine: Go Cong is adjacent to East Sea with a coastline of
32km, lying from Soai Rap estuary to Cửa Tiểu and Cửa Đại
estuaries (Tien Giang River).
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
- Natural Resources: Go Cong has no natural mineral deposits,
but invaluable natural resources such as soil, water, protective
forests and East Sea.
3. GO CONG: ADMINSTRATIVE UNITS TO DAY
Administrative Boundaries: The East Sea is to the east; Cho Gao
district, Tien Giang province to the west; Binh Dai district, Ben
Tre province to the south, separated by the My Tho river; Cần
Đước and Cần Giuộc districts, Long An province and Can Gio
district, Saigon city to the North and North-east, separated by Tra
river (Tân Trụ district), Vam Co river and Soai Rap river.
Go Cong province was separated into East and West Go
Cong districts by Decision No. 155/HDBT, April 13, 1979. Go
Cong town was added in 1989 and Tan Phu Dong district was
established in 2008.
3.1. Go Cong Town: The town is an administrative, economy
and cultural center of Go Cong area, located between East Go
Cong and West Go Cong on the area of 31.1 km2, with a
population of 53,699 people. Density is 1673 people per km2. The
town includes the wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 villages: Long Hoà,
Long Thuận, Long Hưng, Long Chánh, Tân Trung, Bình Đông
and Bình Xuân. According to Địa Chí Tiền Giang, National
highway 50 passes through the Township, connects with Ho Chi
Minh city at 58 km to the north and with the My Tho city at 35 km
to the west, and provincial roads towards the coastal towns at 15
km to the east. With convenient geographic location and
navigation system, Go Cong town increasingly promotes central
urban location to the east of Tien Giang province.
3.2. East Go Cong District: The district is separated from Cần
Đước and Cần Giuộc Districts, Long An province by Vàm Cỏ and
Soai Rạp rivers; Tan Phu Dông to the South, West Go Cong
districts and Go Cong town to the West; Soai Rap river to the
North-east; and East Sea to the East and South-east. The district
has 190,177 people living on 357.8 km2. Density is 531 people per
km2. On the administrative aspect, the district includes Tan Hoa
town and 12 villages, in which six coastal villages lies along the
sea: Tân Phước, Gia Thuận, Vàm Láng, Kiểng Phước, Tân Diền
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và Tân Thành; 6 inland villages: Tân Đông, Tân Tây, Bình Nghị,
Bình Ân, Phước Trung, Tăng Hoà. The district has 120 villages,
including 55 coastal hamlets.
In 1986, Go Cong’s fresh water project was approved
and started; converting saline land into long-term rice production
areas, while the 32 km dike system was upgraded. The largest
canals such as Sallisetti, Champeaux, and Trần Văn Dõng were
dredged and expanded; inland canal networks were completely
formed, supplying adequate fresh water for farming and daily life
since 1994.
Coastal mangroves are important elements of the district,
with 2,065 hectares of forests protecting agricultural production
and the population, due to biosphere reserves, as well as shelter for
breeding of more than 300 aquatic species. In addition, the
district’s main economic exploitation is aquaculture, concentrating
at coastal areas, ranging from Tan Phuoc to Vam Lang, Tan
Thanh, with over 3,000 fishermen.
Two local traditional festivals are the “Whale Welcome
Festival” held annually in Vam Lang on 10 March (lunar
calendar), and the National hero Trương Định's anniversary held
solemnly at the hamlet 2, Gia Thuận village on 20 August
(calendar days), attracting many people’s attendance in the region.
Go Cong Dong still preserves the important historical relics such
as Gia Thuan communal house worshipping national hero Truong
Dinh, Nam Hai General temple worshipping whale (Lăng Ông) in
Vam Lang, Doc Phu Hai house in Go Cong town, Royal
mausoleums (Lăng Hoàng Gia) in Son Quy ... With the advantage
of beach, the district has established eco-tourism area in Tân
Thành beach to welcome crowded visitors around year.
3.3. West Go Cong district: The district is adjacent to Tra River
- a tributary of the Vam Co River to the North, Cửa Tiểu to the
South, Cho Gao district to the West and Go Cong Dong and Go
Cong town to the East. West Go Cong district has 167,761 people
living on the 272 km2. Density is 616 people per km2. West Go
Cong district includes Vinh Binh town and 12 villages: Yên
Luông, Thành Công, Đồng Sơn, Bình Phú, Long Vĩnh, Bình Nhì,
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
Thạnh Trị, Đồng Thạnh, Bình Tân, Thạnh Nhựt, Vĩnh Hựu, and
Long Bình.
The
district’s
backward
agricultural
economy,
characterized by rice monoculture, low productivity hundreds of
years ago, has been converted to intensive farming systems with 23 crops per year, thanks to the "Go Cong sweeternizing program".
This work has doubled, tripled planted area; thus, increasing food
production 3-4 times compared to the time of the district’s reestablishment. Raising livestock, poultry, aquaculture and fisheries
increases strongly, accounting for over 25% of agricultural
production. The industry, handicraft, trade, services have slowly
progressed. Social welfare is fairly invested in the communes, and
the towns have the national power grid with almost 90% of people
using electricity. Phone network covers the residential areas with a
central post and four post offices, more than 1,500 machines were
installed.
On culture and tourism, West Go Cong has important
relics such as Huynh family graves with their quite unique
architecture in An Loi hamlet, Dong Thanh village; shrine of
Chưởng cơ Mai Tấn Huệ in Bình Tân village; Đồng Sơn communal
house...
3.4.
Tân Phú Đông district: In 2008, by Decree No.
09/2008/ND-CP Tan Phu Dong district was established in Loi
Quan Island (between Vàm Cửa Tiểu và Cửa Đại), including the
six villages that are taken from East Gò Công district (Phú Đông
và Phú Tân) and West Gò Công (Tân Thới, Tân Phú, Phú Thạnh
and Tân Thạnh). The district has 42,926 people living on 202.08
km2, and density of 212 people per km2. The district was
established on the basis of adjusted 8,632.88 ha of natural area and
33,296 inhabitants of West Go Cong district; natural area of
11,575.43 ha and 9,630 inhabitants of Go Cong Dong district.
Administrative boundaries: East Sea to the east, Cho
Gao district to the west, Ben Tre province to the south, and Cho
Gao, West Go Cong and East Go Cong districts to the north.
As a coastal island district, the strength of Tan Phu Dong
is Agriculture - Fisheries. Major crops include rice of high quality;
industrial trees such as coconut, cocoa, fruit trees, especially
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
custard (mãng cầu xiêm). Livestock includes cattle, poultry, and
aqua-culture export-oriented specialties. The district is planning
high-quality rice growing area of 2790 ha for annual output of
nearly 12,000 tons, nearly 3,000 hectares of coconut for the
production of 20,000 tons of nuts/year, over 1,000 hectares of fruit
tree orchards for specialty products nearly 12,000 tons/year. In
addition, formation of aquaculture area near 3,400 ha with an
output of 8,000 tons of shrimp, crab, fish, clams, scallops ... These
materials meet seafood processing industry needs for exports.
4. ROYAL MAUSOLEUM
Royal Mausoleum is located in Tan Dong (Long Hung village
now), East Go Cong, about 3 km from Go Cong town. Tomb is
about 200 meters away National highway 50. One year after the
Duke Pham Dang Hung died, i.e. 1826, the Nguyen dynasty built
in Son Quy, the temple and the tombs of the Pham Dang family.
That is the Royal Mausoleum, including the coordination of Pham
temple (Pham Phu Tu), Pham Dang Hung’s tomb and 13 tombs of
his mother and the Patriarchs of Tu Du.
Pham temple consists of a worship house, a guest house,
warehouses, and other works, which were made of precious woods
and well decorated. The temple made in 1826, was originally built
with special wood, comprising five compartments (parts) and two
side wings. The first son of Mr. Pham Dang Hung was in charge
of preserving the temple of 5 compartments:
- Middle compartment is Pham Dang Hung’s altar.
- Left compartment worships Phuoc An Hau Pham
Dang Long (Pham Dang Hung's father).
- Outside left compartment worships My Kha Tu Pham
Dang Tien (Pham Dang Hung’s great grandfather).
- Right compartment worships Binh Thanh Ba Pham
Dang Danh (Pham Dang Hung’s grandfather).
- Outside right compartment worships Thiem Su Phu
Pham Dang Khoa (Pham Dang Hung’s great great
grandfather).
There are Tiền Hiền’s and Hậu Hiền’s altars behind Pham
Dang Hung’s altar.
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Pham family’s Tombs: The tomb-style architecture, built
of “ô-dước” ciment, is located on a turtle-shaped sand mound,
surrounded by green trees. Each tomb was built with a marble
stele inscribed with name, surname, date of birth, date of death,
and the position of the person in the grave. The 5 large tombs of
Pham Dang located in Tan Dong village are the tombs of: 1) Pham
Dang Danh: 2) Pham Dang Long: 3) Pham Thi Tanh 4) Pham
Dang Hung and 5) Pham Thi Du.
Mr. Pham Dang Hung’s tomb is not built with the
conventional architecture for court officers or martial ones, but
follows the royal tombs of Hue. The tomb was built in the style of
two rings; between the main tomb and outside wing, it is ranked
three levels indicating three manifestations: Heaven, Earth and
Human.
Tomb stele: There are two steles in front of Mr. Pham
Dang Hung tomb, recording his merits for the following reason:
The stele was originally made of white marble, engraved with text
composed by Phan Thanh Gian and Truong Quoc Dung in 1858.
The stele was shipped from Hue to Saigon, but it was intercepted
and taken away by French troops who later used it for the grave of
Captain Barbé killed by Truong Dinh’s insurgents in 1860. In
1999, this stele was found and brought to Go Cong. As such, the
stele that has two names for one French and one Vietnamese - was
wandering exactly 140 years (1859 -1999).
5. HERO TRUONG DINH’S HISTORICAL RELICS
5.1. Truong Dinh Temple is located in Hamlet 2, Gia Thuan
Commune, East Go Cong district, Tien Giang Province, a place of
worship for the national hero Truong Dinh, who reclaimed new
lands in Go Cong and sacrificed his life for the country. He was
one of the South leaders together with the people stood up against
the French invaders from 1858 to1864 under the Nguyen dynasty.
French resistance movement was growing and Mr. Truong
Dinh involved in this activity before and after the Hue court lost 3
Eastern provinces (Bien Hoa, Gia Dinh and Dinh Tuong) to
France. He chose Go Cong as his resistant base, because there are
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
many rivers and jungles in the plain, facilitating his troops
moving, communication and hiding, good logistics area for longterm fighting. He lived in this region for many years in the early
settlement, understanding the local situation and terrain.
On 20-8-1864, Truong Dinh and 25 insurgents were
besieged. The struggle was fierce. He was wounded and
committed suicide in Hamlet 3, Tan Phuoc village (Go Cong
Dong), also known as "Dinh land square" or “khuông đất
Dinh”, where the people dug a water pond called Dinh Pond or
"Ao Dinh". He died at 44. His tomb is in Go Cong town, while
the temple was established in Gia Thuan village and elsewhere.
5.2. Trương Định’s Tomb: The historic relic is in the heart of
Go Cong town and located in Ward I. After Truong Dinh died on
August 20, 1864, his body was displayed at Thuan Ngai market
for 3 days; thereafter Ms. Tran Thi Sanh, his second wife brought
his corpse to bury at her home’s back yard in Tan Hoa district
town, now wards I. The tomb was built of laterite soil on the area
of 67.263 m2 (9.95 m length, and 6.75 m width), including the
outer ring wall. The ring wall has 4 cylindrical pillars of 1.16 m
high and 4 locus flowers are at corners. The 70 cm high wall was
built of bluestone in 1956.
Truong Dinh tomb is not magnificent, splendid, but this
indicates the virtues of local people’s respect and admiration to the
hero. From 1972 to 1973, the Province built a small temple
nearby. Truong Dinh’s tomb and temples were recognized as a
National historic-cultural relic on December 6, 1989.
In 1997, Go Cong town jubilantly inaugurated national
marble monument of hero Truong Dinh located at the Go Cong
Town center.
5.3. Đám lá tối trời (Dark leaves mass): This is a population of
water coconut trees along Vam Co, Soai Rap Rivers and East Sea.
The water Coconut tree is also called “leaf coconut” (dừa lá), the
scientific name of Nypa fruticans, Cau family (Arecaceae), a
species of marsh plants living under tidal saltwater and along the
rivers and estuaries. In ancient times, water coconut forest covered
a large area of Vam Co River and Soai Rap basins, which runs
from west (Binh Xuan village) to east (Tan Phuoc, Gia Thuan,
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
Phuoc Kieng, Vam Lang and Tân Thanh villages). It's a very
dangerous area, but convenient base for Truong Dinh and Vo Tanh
against the enemy. Dense forest mass are mixed with little trees,
mangroves, casuarinas ... The water coconut leaves are woven
together to cover the ground, making no sunlight shining down;
so-called “dark leaves mass”. Beneath the mass, cool atmosphere
mixed with rotten leaves’ smell and filled with a lot of mosquitoes
and other little insects.
5.4.
Fortification Fortress (Chiến Lũy Pháo Đài): The
monument lies on the island of Phu Tan commune, Tan Phu Dong
district (Tien Giang province), thus accessed by the main
waterway or road.
After Định Tường province fell into French army in April
1861, Truong Dinh returned to Tan Hoa and built a strong base
against French forces. The Từ Linh post was used as fortification,
called the “fortification Fortress”, equipped with a few large
cannons.
Fortress is surrounded by a thick earth embankment, with
6 fairly even edges formed hexagon, area of 3.000m2, and many
tamarind trees, Trom tree and water well are at the center. Fortress
is a historic people fortification, the Ministry of Culture and
Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism)
recognized it as a National historic monument in 1987.
6. HẬU QUÂN VÕ TÁNH’S HISTORICAL RELICS
6.1. Vo Quoc Cong Temple, Long Thuan village
Vo Tanh temple also known as Lang Ong is located in Lang Ong
hamlet, Long Thuan commune, and far away from Go Cong town
about one kilometer to the East. After Vo Quoc Cong story
showed clear details of the death in Binh Dinh province, local
people mobilized resources to build his temple. By 1956, the
province funded embellishing the temple. Vo Temple complex
consists of three ranges: the Vo worship house on the right, his
Mother’s worship house on the left, the guest house in between.
By 1975, the Temple was still supported through the income of 1,7
mẫu of land in Go Tre hamlet.
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
Inside the Temple, the center is the altar of Vo Quoc
Cong, the two sides are Ta Van Ban (civil officials) and Huu Vo
Ban (military officers) altars. On the Vo altar, an “Excellent box”
is placed within a glass mold, with emperor Bao Dai’s decree
inside the container.
Each year, the “Wish for peace” ceremony is held on 12
and 13 February (lunar calendar), surrounding hamlets seem more
crowded and animated. On Feb 12, people in the neighborhood
automatically get together sweeping, cleaning the temple and
cooking foods. At about 11 a.m, main worship ceremony called
“Chánh tế” is solemnly organized. After the ceremony, dining is
served throughout the afternoon, and then the festival ends at 5
a.m. on Feb 13. The people around Lang Ong always respect his
super natural power and also believe they are under his spiritual
protection for good harvest and safe living.
Besides the Vo Quoc Cong temple in Long Thuan
village, there are many Temples, Dinh, Lang of Vo in three Go
Cong districts’ communes. In addition to Go Cong, a large temple
worshiping Vo Quoc Cong is also found in Phu Nhuan, Sai Gon.
6.2. Vạn Thắng Fortress and Vạn Thắng Mash
In 1783, Vo Tanh (Generalissimo) pulled troops from Giồng Trầu
(Gia Dinh) to Go Cong after his brother Vo Nhan, one of the
generals of Do Thanh Nhon who both were arrested and killed.
Then Vo Tanh led troops stationed in Go Tre hamlet (Go Cong).
He often ordered his troops to move throughout this area and built
a fortified fortress from Ong Soc hamlet to the borderline of Tay
Dai hamlet, An Hoa village. The name of Van Thang Mash
means his battles against the Tay Son in the bog were always
victorious.
Van Thang Fortress is far from Go Tre about 3 kilometers
southeast, the area covers a couple mẫu of fields, its North side has
thick bamboo mass as solid walls, thickness up to 4-6 meters. The
fortress was divided into two areas: the Northern part of village
road 5 is a bushy mound, making a strong front to battle with the
enemy when attacked. The Southern area of village road 5 is a
deep lagoon called Van Thang Mash, where Vo Tanh often
retreated back for tactics planning. Later this place became Van
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
Thang hamlet having approximately 100 families with 500
inhabitants. Actually, Van Thang Fortress was erased without
traces, but the name of Van Thang remains forever in the hearts of
this region. All Go Cong people know the name of Go Tre and
Van Thang Mash.
6.3. Infantry Fort Pond (Ao Đồn Binh)
On arrival in Go Cong, General Vo Tanh brought troops to station
in Giong Nau. This is the Western outpost of the Van Thang
Mash, as well as his rear base. Next to the fort, there was a pond
that provides troops with water and bath. So people in the area call
it the “Infantry Fort Pond” located in Giong Nau, close to village
road 5, opposite to the Primary School Hoa Trung II. Someone
called Pagoda Pond.
At first, this place had only a small pond, followed by Mr
Village Chief Truong Cao Hy who mobilized local people to dig it
larger. The pond is relatively deep, clean and plenty of water. In
the dry season when other ponds are dry up, people from Tay Dai
and Hoa Trung hamlets often used to get water from this pond. In
1969, the old tree nearby died. The Infantry Fort Pond was dry up
over the years, and confined; however, just as the rainy season
comes with plenty of water, the pond can be used. In the dry
season, local people use this pond to water vegetable crops and do
laundry.
6.4. Thu Hamlet
In early days, Central Viet Nam’s people immigrated into the Go
Cong region; many of them are laureates who escaped wars and
hardship life, seeking seclusion, including Mr. Ngo Tung Chau
from Phu Cat, Binh Dinh province. He opened a school in East
Yen Luong, West Go Cong district. Many students attended his
class. He was the intellect, faith, excellent teacher, so loved by
everyone across the region. People call this place “Mr. Thu
Hamlet”, later known as Thu Hamlet. General Vo Tanh invited
him as his advisor to support Lord Nguyen. He was promoted to
‘Lễ Bộ Tham Tri’ cum ‘Phụ đạo Crown Prince taught Prince
Canh.
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Thu Hamlet belongs to Yen Luong commune, located next
to village road 11, from road 6 to Ba Giang hamlet, Binh Long
village.
6.5. Mr. Chuong’s Dam – Dam Bridge (Cầu Đập)
The dam is located at the borderline of Binh Tan village (Hoa Lac
district) and Binh Long village (Hoa Binh district). This is Mr.
Mai Tan Hue’s dam works, aiming at keeping fresh water for rice
farming and provide troops with water in the late 18th century. He
is a strong supporter of General Vo Tanh. Mr. Mai Tan Hue, born
in the village of West Binh Luong, was a popular rich man in the
region. He loved marshal art and often entertained heroes and
patriots across the region. When Vo Tanh established the “Kien
Hoa army” in Go Cong, he responded it positively by contributing
his assets and being the member responsible for military food
supply.
As far as the military policy is concerned, General Vo
Tanh mobilized resources and called on people to build a dam to
control water for farming, produce food for the Kien Hoa army.
Thus, the whole region’s people benefited this work. Thereafter,
King Gia Long conferred him the title “Chưởng Cơ Huệ Ân Hầu”.
The local people are grateful for his dam works; hence, the dam
was named Mr. Chuong’s Dam. Actually, this dam was
disappeared and replaced by Binh Tan bridge.
6.6. Toilet Field and Military Post (Đám Ruộng Cầu Xí và
Đồn Lập Binh)
According to oral tradition, when the General Marshal Vo Tanh
was active in the region, his army forces were passing Hoa Trung
Hamlet (Binh Phục Nhi village) he ordered troops to stop
overnight for repose. Approximately 100 meters to the West, there
is the mound field where soldiers went urinating. When his troops
left the hamlet, the people passed through this field and called it
"Toilet field" until now.
There is another theory: when General Vo Tanh’s troops
went to this hamlet, he selected a large highland field for the
troops to take break. The people saw a lot flags in the field and the
crowded soldiers together and talked each other on so called "Flag
field".
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From "Toilet field" to just south of the Thoi Thuan Tay
Headquarters, the General Marshal established a military station.
When marching through the region, he often went there to give
orders to his troops, so this place was called “Military Post” ("Don
Lap Binh"). The Post’s four sides were surrounded by deep
trenches and high fortifications.
7. OTHER KNOWN PLACES AND ATTRACTIONS
7.1. Tan Thanh Beach
Currently, Tan Thanh village has grown tremendously, becoming
a large town in East Go Cong district, consisting of 11 hamlets and
a famous beach, called Tan Thanh beach. Population is 13,902
people (2,713 households). The main production includes
agriculture, fisheries, and sub-production: livestock, crops and
tourism services. Specially, fishery development increases rapidly
with
clam
and
shrimp
raising
movements.
Tan Thanh is a coastal village, near Cua Tieu River. This
is the coastal areas of most potential form in Tien Giang province.
A few islands closed to sea shore and Cua Tieu River help Tan
Thanh coast produce abundant seafoods, like oysters, clam, sea
crabs, fingernails, “chem chep”... This coast was selected as the
most beautiful black sand beach of the Mekong Delta; the Binh An
tourism resort is under construction.
Go Cong sea food is traditionally famous with Tan Thanh
beach clam that can be cooked into many delicious dishes: fried
melon flavor, fried calabash, cooked with pepper ... but tasty and
probably the most favorite is grilled or steamed clams. Delicious
baked clams should be big enough and eaten with a little lemon
juice, salt and pepper.
During the festivities, tourists at Tan Thanh beach resorts
are very crowded, especially during the lunar New Year, when
thousands of visitors come to this place for feeling the fresh air
and enjoying sea foods and the spring holidays. We can say, apart
from the significant contribution of economic resources from the
sea, Tân Thành beach is also the natural form of tourism to
support environmental conservation, community development,
such as employment generation, products-consuming market.
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Thus, it is essential to develop sea tourism area in Tan Thanh,
forming a new and attractive eco-tour to tourists.
7.2. Vam Lang Village
Vam Lang is a town of East Go Cong district, Tien Giang
Province. This town has 600 hectares of natural area and 13,921
people. This is the province’s rich village. With a convenient
location (not far from the sea, safe shelter for vessels during
storms), Vam Lang is a harbor where a lot of boats dock to
exchange goods.
According to statistics, more than 500 households in this
commune are living by fishing, farming and fisheries business.
Sea fishermen’s means are composed of nearly 500 modern
vessels and equipment, bringing more than 20 thousand tons of sea
products per year. Fishing aquaculture and seafood processing
offer Vam Lang fisheries-related services (repair of ships and
boats, oil and ice supply) as well as trade - service development,
contributing to solve thousands of local workers and others.
Therefore, from a village with a traditional maritime inhabitants
living mainly by fishing, Vam Lang has become a prosperous
town in the South.
7.3. Two ghost canal (Rạch Đôi Ma, Vàm Láng village - East
Go Cong district)
According to Legend of early days, two families - Pham and
Nguyen live on both sides of Ma Giang (Ghost River). Mr.
Nguyen Nghi has reputation as an elite student in this region.
Pham family has a girl named Pham Thi Nữ and found Nguyen
Nghi talent and honest, then they promised to allow him to marry
their daughter.
Unfortunately, Nguyen Nghi’s mother died, Pham family
helped him to organize her funeral. Nghi was very sad while
concentrating in his study; later, he got incurable illness. Thi Nữ
asked her parent’s permission to take care of him, but the
traditional rites did not satisfy her wish. Then Nguyen Nghị died,
Phạm family buried him near their home. Thi Nữ was very much
desperate under mourning every day, and then she was bearing
love-borne diseases and died. Her parent buried the young couple
together, as requested by the daughter. Over time the couple’s
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souls often appeared and wandered on the river banks. Many
people saw them, rumors spread throughout the region; hence, the
river is called Tinh Tinh (Chimpanzees).
7.4. Giồng Sơn Quy
Giong Son Quy is a turtle-shaped sand mound in East Go Cong
district. It belongs to Tan Trung village (Long Hung now), which
has seven hamlets: Son Quy A, Son Quy B, Ong Non, Ong Cai,
Go Xoai, Xa loi and My Xuan. Son Quy is a famous area in Tien
Giang province by the following three main reasons:
- The place is holy land and the origin of the aristocratic Pham
Dang family, above all Duke Pham Đang Hung and Queen Tu
Du.
- The major resistant base of Truong Dinh’s uprising in the mid19th century.
- The fertile land is well suitable for agriculture, especially fruit
trees, rice and maize crops.
7.5. Go Cong Market
Go Cong market has gone through difficulty time with the
country. Before French occupation, it is a small street market of
Thuan Ngai village, Tan Hoa, Gia Dinh Province. The French
colonist showed off hero Truong Dinh’s body at Thuan Ngai
market for 3 days after he suicided on 20-8-1864. Mrs. Tran Thi
Sanh, his second wife submitted an application for permission to
bring her husband body to be buried on her land on the West side
of small canal along Thuan Ngai village’s outskirts.
In 1916, the French government built a new market on the
other side of land-filled canal, which is Truong Dinh Boulevard
now to replace the old Thuan Ngai market. This market is large
and made of iron columns and roofs. Its grand opening was held in
January 1917. The “new” market has two main parts: a large house
and a smaller house. The large one has a "little cage" on the top
roof and a clock on the front, below is an iron number written:
1916. This house has large space with many stalls selling clothing,
needle, iron items, tools...
The modern 2-floor market was built in 2004 on the Go
Cong Hospital’s foundation facing Long Chien Bridge. This new
market is less dynamic than the old one and sells only “dry” items:
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clothing, footwear, jewelry, souvenirs, toys…; meanwhile, the old
market was remodeled, specializing in selling “wet” items: shrimp,
fish, vegetables, meat, foods...
7.6. Racecourse Pond (Ao Truong Dua)
Racecourse pond (Go Cong town) has more than 80 years history.
In French colonial period, in order to take up land to build road
leading to the market and to serve the colonists’ entertainment
needs, the government mobilized people to dig a square pond with
a perimeter of 3,000 meters, 5 meters deep, 5 meters wide of pave
way, bordering Tổng Thứ street (Nguyen Hue street now), setting
the stage for the guests sitting at the horse race-course.
The pond also serves as water source for local people
during the dry season.
After 1975, the town’s water plants could not supply
enough water in the dry season. Water was continuously
transported from Racecourse Pond. The pond was deteriorating
with time due to lack of management, and water became polluted.
Moreover, people wondered why people cut down the popular old
trees surrounding the pond. Under Go Town’s embellishment
program, beautiful wide streets were built, and the Racecourse
Pond was started dredging, constructing embankments, setting up
brick sidewalks and planting trees again.
7.7. Architectural Relics: ĐỐC PHỦ HẢI’S HOUSE
The house built in the late nineteenth century, is the buildings of
high value in terms of history and art. It was recognized as
national architectural monument in 1994 by the Ministry of
Culture - Information (the Ministry of Culture - Sports and
Tourism now).
Mrs. Tran Thi Sanh - the fifth son of the rich man Tran
Van Đồ, second wife of Truong Dinh built this house in 1860 to
live with her daughter Duong Thi Huong. From 1885 to 1890,
Nguyen Van Hai built the hall front, two square houses behind the
main one for the servants' residence and added more Western and
Eastern furniture in the home. Since then, the house was named
“Đốc Phủ Hải’s House”.
- Main house consists of three parts and two wings, whole
roofs made by negative and positive tiles, and 36 columns, out of
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which 30 are hard wood and ebony. The interior is decorated with
public, liberal styles of a royal family through the laborious
sculpture.
- Lobby looks likes the European style. The column ends
and door arches were embossed under vine pattern. The trusses
were sculptured on three sides and at both ends.
With the unique construction and more than 350
decorative molds, grand characters, pearl-inlaid jars plus more
than 70 artifacts in the house today, the Đốc Phủ Hải House is one
of the feudal proprietors’ houses remaining the most typical in the
Mekong Delta in general and Tien Giang in particular.
7.8. Province Chief’s Palace
Go Cong town is the "capital" of the region’s cultural, economic
convergence and exchanges. Therefore, this town is inherited with
many old houses of historical value and great culture. While the
Royal Mausoleum, Truong Dinh Tomb, Doc Phu Hai House have
been relatively well preserved, several houses having other values
are gradually degrading.
“Chánh Tham Biện” Palace (Province Chief’s Palace) is
one of the first buildings in Go Cong town after the French
occupied the region. The Palace was built with French bricks
brought from France. This is the first massive mansion in the
South (except Saigon) was constructed in 1885 and completed a
couple years later, serving as French authorities’ offices.
7.9. Palace Market (Chợ Dinh, Đong Son village, West Go
Cong district)
Palace Market has its old history. Here, there is Hoa Thanh Palace,
thus its nearby market was called “Palace” Market, located in
Dong Son village (West Go Cong district), and lied on the top of
Rạch Lá canal, bordering Tan An; hence it is a very affluent
market. The commune has a population of 10,820 people living in
a natural area of 1,448 ha.
Under the reign of Emperor Gia Long, the officer
responsible for the region built this market, people around the
neighboring area come to this place for dynamic trade. The Palace
Market has its market day in the morning for exchanging goods,
especially sea foods. This is one of the first two places where
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Central Viet Nam’s immigrants landed for new land reclamation
and resettlement in Go Cong areas.
7.10. Đong Thanh Communal House
Đồng Thạnh Communal House is located in Lợi An hamlet, Đồng
Thạnh village (West Go Cong district). The House, previously
named Rạch Lá Communal House or Đồng Sơn Đình Trung was
built in the late nineteenth century. This is Go Cong people’s
culture-art work. In early days, it was built with simple bamboo,
then later rebuilt and completed in 1914. The House is
characterized with the art of carving, decorated with paintings and
ceramic statues sculpted on wall both inside and outside. Its
decorating patterns are specially drawn from the "three teachings"
philosophy (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism).
War, time and human activities have heavily damaged the
Communal House. Its maintenance and restoration are urgent
needs to preserve the historical value, cultural heritage; while
promoting provincial tourism packages aspired by West Go Cong
people.
7.11. Float Bridge and My loi Ferry (Cầu nổi và phà Mỹ lợi)
From Sai gon to Go Cong, tourists have to take My Loi ferry to
cross Vam Co River, on National highway 50.
Float bridge: It is known as the “float bridge” because the
bridge can let the car move up and down on water when reaching
the ferry or taking it off, through a large ciment float. The ferry
helps transport and traffic across Vam Co River connecting
National highway 50 from District 8 (Cho Lon), Ho Chi Minh City
to Go Cong town. It used to have two small ferries; recently a few
larger ferry types of A100 and A200 have been deployed here.
My Loi ferry station: Because the majority of passengers
going through the ferry have to wait for any length of time at the
ferry station, resulting in little trade at this area. At the ferry
terminal, it is common to sell something so people can buy as a
gift to Saigon people: Cherry, jackfruit, cashew nuts, guava,
banana, rub shrimp or coconut candy…
My Loi Bridge project was approved to build a bridge over
Vam Co River connecting Long An and Tien Giang provinces on
National highway 50. Total investment of this project is
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VN$1,654.7 billion from government bond funds. My Loi Bridge
has a total length of 2.7 km (1,400 m bridge). According to the
design, the width of the bridge is 18m, and 16m wide path to the
bridge, with 4 lanes for motorized vehicles, withstanding
earthquakes 6.0. The project is expected to build My Loi Bridge in
late 2009 and will be completed after three years; however, until
2012 no capital for construction is available! When?
8. HISTORY OF GENERAL VO TANH (1768-1801)
Mr. Vo Tanh and his elder brother Vo Nhan (General Do Thanh
Nhan’s staff) were born in Phuoc Tinh village, Ba Ria, Trấn Biên
province (Bien Hoa today) and soon orphaned.
In 1781, when Đỗ Thanh Nhơn and his brother Vo Nhan
were assassinated by his own leader - Nguyễn Ánh, Võ Tánh
revolted and occupied Hóc Môn, a village on the northern
outskirts of Saigon. As the Tay Son suspected that he summoned
troops to support Lord Nguyen, they brought their army
surrounded Hoc Mon. Afterwards, the rebels moved to Go Tre, 1.5
km from Go Cong Town built their base there. At that time, Võ
Tánh’s army, called the Kiến Hòa army, grew to a force of 10,000
men. Tay Son troops ambushed several times but failed at the Van
Thang Marsh (Binh An village today). Initially, Mr. Vo Tanh
fought against the Tay Son in an independent capacity, later he
followed Lord Nguyen Anh and was crowned as “Tiền Phong
Dinh Khâm Sai Tổng Nhung Chưởng Cơ”. He married with
Princess Ngoc Du (Nguyen Anh’s sister).
He made many glorious victories, won all battles, helping
Lord Nguyen capture the southern provinces and Gia Dinh (1788).
After that, Lord Nguyen Anh ordered Le Van Cau, Vo Tanh and
Nguyen Van Thanh to seize Phan Ri and Binh Thuan. Nguyen’s
troops went straight to seize the Dien Khanh, Binh Khang and Phu
Yen. In 1793, Vo Tánh was promoted to the position “Khâm Sai
Quán Suất Hậu Quân Dinh Bình Tây Tham Thắng Tướng Quân
Hộ Giá”. Then he was conferred to Duke cum Military General
(1794). In 1797, he followed Lord Nguyen to seize Quang Nam,
surrounded Qui Nhon and took over this city in 1799. Lord
Nguyen Anh retreated back to Saigon and asked Vo Tanh and Ngo
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Tung Chau to defend Qui Nhon city. Because Binh Dinh province
is the homeland of the Tay Son, so they tried to attack several
times and finally captured it back. Vo Tanh entrenched for 3 years,
all food and military supplies were exhausted; so he set himself on
fire on the octagonal floor on May 27 (1801) in order to protect his
soldiers and people in the city, while Ngo Tung Chau suicides by
poison. Currently, there is a temple “Hoai Quoc Cong Vo Tanh” in
Go Tre, Go Cong town and at several villages in West Go Cong.
9. HISTORY OF MAI TAN HUE AND DO TRINH THOẠI
● Chưởng Cơ Mai Tan Hue
Hue’s hometown is located in West Binh Luong village, East Go
Cong and his favorite is martial arts. After Vo Tanh was defeated
at 18 betel hamlets in Hoc Mon and retreated to Go Tre, Go Cong
to reinforce his forces, Mr. Mai Tan Hue joined in and became Vo
Tanh’s excellent general. After Vo Tanh committed suicide in Qui
Nhon, his martial career was stronger helping Lord Nguyen Anh
pacify the Tay Son and establish Nguyen dynasty. He was
entrusted to take care of building Phu Xuan Royal Palace. After
ascending the throne, King Gia Long assigned him to defend Binh
Dinh citadel. In 1805, he was promoted to “Chuong Co”. When
old, he returned to live in Binh Hoa hamlet, West Binh Luong
village, opened school of martial arts and with the local people,
reclaimed new lands and built a dam across the top of Rach La
River, called “Mr. Chuong’s Dam” that is actually no longer
existent.
 Đổ Trình Thoại hay Huyện Thoại
Mr. Do Trinh Thoai came from An Long village, Tan Hoa (Go
Cong town today), had B.Sc. degree in 1843 and was appointed as
Chief of Long Thanh district. About two months after Dinh Tuong
province fell under French attacks, at 5 am on 22-6-1861, he led
600 insurgents to attack Go Cong post, but unfortunately the
troops were early uncovered. His insurgents, equipped with spears,
knives, hammers, sharp sticks, advanced to the market, but Navy
Lt. Paulin Vial blocked them immediately; the first French salvo
of artillery and rifles killed 14 insurgents, including Huyện Thọai
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and his deputy. In this battle, the French officer Vial was seriously
injured. Then the surviving insurgents went to support the
Managing Deputy Truong Dinh. It is tragic for the courageous
heroes, sacrificing themselves before the enemy’s well-equiped
army!
10. WEST PACIFICATION GENERAL TRUONG DINH
(1820-1864)
His real name is Truong Dinh, but people like to call him: Mr.
Truong Cong Dinh. He is also known as Managing Deputy Dinh
(this was bestowed due to his recruitment of settlers to establish
villages in South Viet Nam). Truong Dinh was born in Tu Cung
commune, Son Tinh district, Quang Ngai province. Go Cong is his
second homeland. He is widely admired by the Confucian elites
and notable persons, including Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ho Huan
Nghiệp, the bachelor Bui Tan, Cu Khac Kiem, Ly Duy Phien, Ha
Mau Duc ..., the government officials such as Provincial chief Do
Quang, District chief Dang Van Duy.
The French resistance movement was growing fast and
Mr. Truong Dinh was involved in this movement before and after
the Hue Court ceded 3 Eastern provinces to France. After the fall
of Chi Hoa post, he brought troops stationed in Go Cong. The
French Admiral Charner invaded Dinh Tuong, but he still
respected Hue Court and did not seriously rule Go Cong yet since
this is the hometown of King Tu Duc’s mother. Taking this
opportunity, Managing Deputy Truong Dinh recruited soldiers,
organized military bases, and stocked foods for preparing antiFrench uprising.
Truong Dinh’s anti-French war front did not only limit to
the Go Cong territory, but also included all three French-occupied
Eastern Provinces: Bien Hoa, Gia Dinh and Dinh Tuong. His front
also had strong links with regional uprisings at the time, such as
Thu Khoa Huan (My Tho), Nguyen Trung Truc (Tan An), Bui
Huy Dieu (Can Giuoc).
On 28-2-1863, the French concentrated forces to invade
the Tan Hoa base, the insurgents retreated to Phuoc Loc - Ly Nhon
(Can Gio). On 25-9-1863, the base was lost, so Truong Dinh must
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bring remained 1800 troops to Kieng Phuoc - Bình Xuan for
reinforcement, taking advantages of the "dark leaves mass" in Gia
Thuận. But the French forces increasingly surrounded Truong
Dinh’s troops, while his Deputy Huynh Cong Tan betrayed his
boss; suddenly attacked the house where Truong Dinh and 25
troops had meeting. He and his insurgents reacted so harshly, but
he was mortally wounded by a bullet on back. To avoid to be
captured alive he committed suicide on 20-8-1884. The place
where Mr. Truong Dinh was wounded and committed suicide is in
the current vacant land in Hamlet 3, Tan Phuoc village (East Go
Cong). It is also known as "Dinh Land mold" where the people
dug a water pond called “Dinh Pond” ("Ao Dinh"). He died at 44.
His tomb is located in Go Cong town now and the great temple
was built in Gia Thuan village.
11. HISTORY OF DUKE PHAM DANG HUNG (1764 -1825)
Duke Phạm Đăng Hưng is the father of Mrs. Tu Du, born on 24-91764 in Tan Dong, East Go Cong. He passed “Cống Sĩ” equivalent
to the Baccalaureate exam in Gia Dinh, and was appointed to be
responsible for literature under Mr. Trinh Hoai Duc’s leadership.
Later he was promoted to “Tham tri Bộ Lại”, set many merits,
counsel for Lord Nguyen Anh. In 1805, he was ordained as
“Chưởng Trưởng Đà Sự” and began to build supremacy in the
court. 1813, he held post- “Hiệp hậu Đại Học Sĩ”, was in charge of
the Minister of Education (Thượng Thư Bộ Lễ). After the throne
of King Minh Mang, Mr. Phạm Đăng Hưng’s life was agitated by
the Court’s flatterers, but he overcame these obstacles and
sacrificed his life serving the country. After he died in 1825, his
coffin was buried in Giong Son Quy.
12. HISTORY OF QUEEN TU DU (1810 - 1901)
Mrs. Tu Du’s name is Pham Thi Hang, born on 19-5-1810 at
Giong Son Quy, East Go Cong. She is the eldest daughter of Duke
Pham Dang Hung and Pham Thi Vi, wife of King Thieu Tri and
mother of King Tu Duc. She is a smart woman, gentle, virtuous,
an exemplary woman respected by Vietnamese and foreign
people. She died in Hue on 5-4-1901 at the age of 91.
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13. NAM PHUONG EMPRESS: NGUYEN HUU THI LAN
(1914-1963)
Go Cong is an area called “spiritual lands and heroes” of South
Viet Nam, where many great persons made the country glorious,
including two famous women who were the queens of the 19th and
20th century. It's Queen Tu Du and Empress Nam Phuơng. Her
Majesty is a beautiful, intelligent, calm woman loving music and
sports. She is the epitome and kind queen. Under her position, she
did not make any scandal, ensuring care for children and assisting
her husband in diplomatic receptions and public relations.
Empress Nam Phuong has Vietnamese name: Nguyen
Huu Thi Lan, French name: Jeanne Nguyen Huu Thi Lan, and
religious name: Thérèse Marie, born on December 4, 1914 in Go
Cong. She is the daughter of Landlord Nguyen Huu Hao and Ms.
Le Thi Binh living in Dong Son commune, Dong Hoa district, and
the granddaughter of Mr. Le Phat Dat, i.e. Huyện Sy (1841-1900).
In 1926, Miss Nguyen Huu Thi Lan was then 12 years old,
went abroad attending the Couvent des Oiseaux School in Paris, a
famous boarding school in France. Here, she met the student
named Vinh Thuy for a few times, through parties, evening gala or
known restaurants by Nguyen Huu Hao family’s arrangements.
She passed Baccalaureate II (high school graduation) and returned
to home country in 1932 on the same ship of D'Artagnan firm with
King Bao Dai’s repatriation.
A year after returning home, in a gala organized by French
Governor Pasquier and Mayor Darle in Da Lat on Bao Dai's
Vacation, Nguyen Huu Thi Lan was received in audience by King
Bao Dai. Then the King felt in love with her very much. Her
wedding of Emperor Bao Dai was celebrated on 20-3-1934 at Hue.
She was ordained as Queen Right then and this is an exception to
the wives of Nguyen Dynasty’s kings. In addition to participating
in ceremonial, diplomatic events with her husband, Queen Nam
Phuong was also interested in social work, encouraged teaching
women domestic subjects in schools. She was involved in making
friendly hyphen between the Hue court and Catholics as they often
dislike each other. She has two boys and three girls.
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In 1947, she brought three children to France to live in
Thorenc Castle in Cannes, the family’s own villa. Bao Dai visited
them several times. After 1955, Mr. Ngo Dinh Diem became the
President of South Viet Nam; the French government still
provided financial support to his family for living, but not
abundant as before. The former King Bao Dai was very desperate
from home politics, traveled widely to relief, while his wife
brought the children to live at a private farm bought for her family
for long time in Chabrignac, Corrèze province, Limousine region
in France.
She died on September 14, 1963 at the age of 49. Besides
the two maids in the house, there was no direct relatives to be with
her in the last minutes, while her children were in school or in
Paris and Bao Dai lived in southern France.
14. GO CONG’S OTHER KNOWN PERSONS
14.1. Huỳnh Công Tấn and Hai Miêng
Huynh Tan was born in An Long village (Yen Luong Nhi
Village), Tan Hoa (Go Cong), Dinh Tuong Province, now Tien
Giang province. Sergeant Tan (1847-1874), whose real name is
Huynh Tan or Huynh Van Tan, also known as Huynh Cong Tan, is
a powerful partner of the French in suppressing the farmers
uprising in the late 19th century in South Vietnam. Huynh Tan is
Truong Dinh’s soldier, then for disciplinary violations, Tan
surrended French troop in the late 1862. On August 19, 1864,
Huynh Tan led the French army to round up Truong Dinh, when
the leader just failed in Ly Nhon, Can Gio and retreated to “Dam
La Toi Troi” in Kieng Phuoc. He was seriously injured, and then
used the sword to commit suicide at Vinh Pond (Ao Vinh) in Tan
Phuoc village (Go Cong) in the following day, while his 25
insurgents were arrested or killed!
To reward his merit, the French gave Huynh Tan "Legion"
medal, and blessed him with “Lanh Binh position” translated as
“Général”, head of the native corp troops. This is only exclusive
position for him, then no one else. Having had authority, Huynh
Tan was involved in gambling, land occupation, forcing people to
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do bad ... Finally, he died at the age of 37 because of illness in his
"luxurious boat" (ghe hầu) on Go Cong-Saigon trip.
Cậu Hai Miêng (1858 – 1895)
Huynh Tan had five children: two boys and three girls. Two
daughters who repented his father’s bad behaviors lived in church
for life. The third girl died as a child. Two sons of Tan are Hai
Miêng (Miên) and Sáu Viễn. Although it is not the way for people
to pay the father’s sin debt, they have not done anything
objectionable. Therefore, in the public in South Viet Nam, for that
case Huynh Tan, it was said: "Bitter tree sweet fruit."
... At 17, Huynh Cong Mieng, Tran Ba Huu (Brother Tran
Ba Loc) and Le Cong Phung (adoption of Huynh Cong Tan) were
permitted by French Government to study in La Seyne near
Toulouse, France. After four years, all three did not pass any
degree, but were fluent in French. Upon returning home, Hai
Miêng worked under Director General Tran Ba Loc, but this job
did not fit his generous nature. He hated the arrogant people,
defended the helpless. He quitted the army job and almost traveled
across the Southern provinces by luxurious boat. Hai Miêng lived
extraordinary lives, beyond the contemporary.
In Go Cong and Saigon - Cholon areas, people talked a lot
of him and many of them admired his actions. Elderly Go Cong
people remember the story: Hai Miêng beated French soldier for
bullying labourers who dug Race Course Pond (Ao Truong Dua)
in Go Cong town, the story of imperious Patron Thời and his
daughter - Miss Hai Sáng in Bạc Liêu... Hai Miêng behaved as a
playboy and was addicted to alcohol, died at 38 (in 1895) in
Saigon in poverty.
14.2. Bishop Bautista Nguyen Ba Tong (1868-1949)
Bishop Nguyen Ba Tong is a Go Cong person, was born in 1868 in
a poor Catholic family. In 1896, he was ordained to the priesthood
at 28, and was assigned as the Bishop court’s clerk in Saigon in
1916. Then Father Nguyen Ba Tong governed Catholic family in
Ba Rịa, and returned to Tan Dinh, one of large and wealthy
parishes flourished in Saigon. During his rule in the Tan Dinh
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parish, he carried out many public welfare works and the local
people were appreciated and grateful for his performance. In
addition to his sheep leadership, Father Nguyen Ba Tong was also
active in the cultural and social activities, such as printing houses,
schools, helping the poor, orphans. In 1932, he went to Rome for
receiving bishop title, then went to Phat Diem and replaced Bishop
Marcou for governing the diocese.
Bishop Nguyen Ba Tong died in 1949, at 81. His name
was made the sign of a big school in Saigon, intending to praise
the monk’s virtues - where he goes and his first care is directed to
poor children.
14.3. Mr. Le Quang Liem (1881-1945)
Mr. Le Quang Liem was born in 1881 in Go Cong, attended My
Tho High School, then Chasseloup Laubat in Saigon. In 1897, Le
Quang Liem graduated from the Middle school (level 2 today).
His first office was apprenticeship secretary at the Governor’s
office in South Viet Nam. Later he was promoted to District Chief
in 1909, Tri Phủ in 1914. After World War I ended, he was
promoted to Đốc Phủ Sứ (1920). In his political life, Le Quang
Liem advocated to protect farmers’ interests in the South.
Moreover, he also tried to help people through Agricultural
Association, the Sicam in Rach Gia from 1926 to 1951.
Regarding socio-cultural activities, Mr. Le Quang Liem
was a founder of Study Encouragement Association, School Funds
in Cholon. Also, in Go Cong, Mr. Liem together with Writer Hồ
Biểu Chánh, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tri, district Chief (female artist
Manh Manh’s father), Tran Van Quang, Nguyen Duy Duong ...
established "Confucius Temple" in order to revive literature and
Confucianism. He died in 1945.
14.4. Councillor Nguyen Minh Chieu
A modern person from Go Cong province (west Go Cong, Tien
Giang) was honored to name to a long road in Saigon - Phu
Nhuan. This was Nguyen Minh Chieu.
He was born in 1889 in East Yen Luong, West Go Cong,
attended Chasseloup Laubat School and began his first career as
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Post office secretary. While working and learning more, he was
promoted to Post office Collector (Receveur des PTT) in 1912 and
“Tham sự ngạch cao đẳng Đông dương” in 1921. Over this time,
he was the Chairman of the Indochinese Civil Servant Association
and Chairman of the Post Office’s sports.
After ending his public life, he worked for private
company and was involved in politico-social activities. He served
as Inspector of Region II and I for the company “Société
Française des Distilleries de l'Indochine”. He was also in key
positions in the charity, social organization. Throughout his
lifetime, he was devoted helping the poor and suffering people.
14.5. Attorney Vương Quang Nhưong (1902-)
Lawyer Vương Quang Nhuong was born in 1902 in East Yen
Luong, Go Cong province (now part of Tien Giang Province),
unknown dead year. On childhood, he studied in Saigon, later
went abroad for studying a Bachelor of Law in the University of
Paris. He earned a Master of Science in public law and economics.
In 1930, he passed Jurist Doctorate with a thesis entitled: The legal
conflict in Indochina (Des Conflits de Lois Indochine) with the
judges’ praises.
In 1932, he returned to home country, joined the Southern
Lawyer Group - Cambodia, and became a Supreme Court lawyer
in Saigon during the years of 1937-1938, 1938-1939 and 19391940. Socially, he was an active member of the Central Committee
Amas (Mutual social Aid Relief) and commissioner of this
Association in Saigon - Cho Lon.
Concerning politics, he participated in the draft
constitution Council (invited by Emperor Bao Dai) in Hue in
1945, Minister of National Education as well as Prime Minister
Deputy in 1951, then Minister of Justice. He was the main leader
of Lawyer Council in South Viet Nam from 1950 until his death.
Regarding his writing career, he was a special writer keen on
French language, and as famous as Nguyen Phan Long, Nguyen
Tien Lang. He replaced his father-in law for editor of French
newspaper "La Tribune Indochinoise" (Indo-forum) of the
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Constitutional Party. After 1955, he went to live with his family
(his wife and brother Dr. Vuong Quang Truong) in France.
14.6. Master Viet Cuc
Master Viet Cuc whose real name is Nguyen Van Cuc, nicknamed
Thê, born in 1890 in Tân Tây village, East Go Cong district.
Living in the Confucian family, he imitated his father's tradition,
chose to follow his humanitarian way. He died on 05-08-1990 in
Go Cong.
In the South, Master Viet Cuc is one of those who have
contributed much efforts in the Southern-herb medication, using
Southern drugs to treat numerous local people. One of Viet Cuc’s
best things is to utilize the knowledge of medical reasons,
combined with local aboriginal style, chose herbs locally available
to replace gradually northern ones in medical treatments. So Viet
Cuc should be worthy of the title "Sir. Second Tue Tinh".
Under long commitment for this job, he served the
people’s interests, gathering best national-wide experiences for
teaching applications, book compilations. He wrote over 24
“books” on medicine to spread experience "for long-life and
acceptable traditional medicine in Vietnam."
14.7. Soccer Player Pham Huynh Tam Lang
Mr. Pham Huynh Tam Lang was born on 14-2-1942 in Go Cong,
a former player of the national soccer team of former Republic of
Vietnam and a coach of Saigon Port soccer club.
In 1955, Tam Lang was admitted into the Petrus Trương
Vinh Ky high school in Saigon. He was enthusiastic in soccer
since childhood, went to school in the morning and played soccer
in the afternoon. In 1960, Tam Lang was officially enrolled in the
known national youth soccer team, AJS (Association de la
Jeunesse Sportive), Viet Nam Thuong Tin ... (1960-75). He then
was with the Saigon Port (1975-2003), Advisor for Thanh long
soccer center from 2004 to present.
In 1966, the Republic of Vietnam soccer team entered
final match with Burma team and won resounding score of 1-0,
becoming Malysia’s Merdeka Cup champion, bringing honor to
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the country. During that time, all people in South Viet Nam were
emotional living in the vibrant atmosphere of joy.
In early 1967, Tam Lang met female artist Bach Tuyết and
later they organized a simple wedding at Thu Duc district to
introduce with their two families and friends. Since their career
and life are so different, especially they have no children even so
badly desired, they agreed to split up in 1970.
In 1981, Tam Lang's career started changing. He was
selected for in-service training in international soccer coach in the
GDR (German Democratic Republic or Former East Germany).
Having completed it, he returned to home and served as head
coach of the Saigon Port soccer team, helping this gain a glorious
time in the country, winning four championships (1986, 19931994, 1997, 2001-2002), two National Cup champions (1992,
2000) and many other trophies in Saigon and the provincial level.
In 2003, at the age of 61 he retired from the Saigon Port’s
coach position, for advising the Thanh Long Sport Centre in Da
Phuoc, Binh Chanh district.
14.8. Singer Phuong Dung
The real name is Phan Phuong Dung, born in 1946 in Go Cong,
Tien Giang. She is a famous female singer in South Viet Nam
from 1960 to 1975, and then overseas. She was well known at age
17 after successfully presenting the song "Sadness hung inn" (Nổi
buồn gác trọ) of Manh Hoai and Linh Phat in 1962, then went to
people heart, with the song "The pink flower Hills" (Những đồi
hoa sim) in 1964.
The name of Phuong Dung spread rapidly when the poet
Kien Giang (Ha Huy Ha) gave her the fine name of "Go Cong
White Swallow". From there “white swallow” Phuong Dung was
flying in the music and art world until 1975.
She has recorded a lot in 45 tour discs with music firms:
Vietnam, Song Nhạc, Son Ca, and then the Akai tape of
Continental center, Truong Hai, Nhật Trường,... She was well
known with the following songs: Những Đồi Hoa Sim (Dzũng
Chinh và Hữu Loan), Nỗi Buồn Gác Trọ (Mạnh Phát và Hoài
Linh), Tạ Từ Trong Đêm (Trần Thiện Thanh), Khúc Hát Ân Tình
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(Xuân Tiên và Y Vân), Đố Ai (Phạm Duy), Sương Lạnh Chiều
Đông (Mạnh Phát),..
Later in 1968 she married a former pilot colonel and left
Vietnam in 1974. Phuong Dung has 8 children, six boys and two
girls. Actually, Phuong Dung’s main activities are doing volunteer
work, bringing all her capabilities available to soothe others’
unfortunate losses. She is one of the founders of “See the light
Association” that specializes in helping patients and the poor in
Vietnam over financing eye surgery, building houses and schools.
She is now settled in Australia and occasionally engaged in major
art show in the World Art Center, Thuy Nga, Asia in the U.S.
14.9. Musician Le Dinh
Before 1975, most of Go Cong people knew about Le Dinh, a
famous musician. Le Dinh, born in 1934 in Vĩnh Hựu, Gò Công, is
active musician since the mid-1950s in South Vietnam and later
overseas. He was one of three members of Le Minh Bang
musician group. He has a wife and three children.
1948-1953: He studied at Collège Le Myre de Vilers (My
Tho), a high school in the Mekong River Delta and attended
distance learning class on harmony and composition at the “École
Universelle de Paris”.
1953-1955: Studied at Radio College in Saigon (École
Supérieure de Radioélectricité de Saigon).
Musical career: He is famous for the following songs: Làng anh
làng em (1956), Ngày ấy quen nhau (1959), Thương đời hoa
(1960), Hôm nào anh đi (1960), Có nhớ không anh (1960), Tấm
ảnh ngày xưa (1961), Cánh thiệp hồng (1961), Ga chiều (1962),
Xác pháo nhà ai (1964), Chiều lên bản Thượng (1964), Tình yêu
trả lại trăng sao (1964), Thương về xứ Thượng (1965), Ngang trái
(1965), Nỗi buồn Châu Pha…
14.10. Musician Hoang Phuong
Musician Hoang Phuong has real name Nguyen Kim Hoang, born
in 1943, son of Ms. Dang Thi Dai (Cầu Muống hamlet, Tan
Thanh, Go Cong Dong) and Nguyen Kim Trong (native of Long
Binh, West Go Cong), Tien Giang Province. Growing up, Kim
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Hoang attended Truong Dinh high School (Go Cong town). He
has musical ability since childhood. Musician Le Dinh, author of
"Người em xóm Đạo" is his first teacher of music. By the end of
grade 11, he dropped out high school.
In 1965, he married a girl in Go Cong town at the age of
22 and opened watch repair shop at the market. Three years later
(1968), at his 25, his first song was born and he became famous, it
is the song “Hoa sứ nhà nàng”. After this success, he launched a
series of composing works: “Mùa nhạn trắng”, “Đàn thương cô
quán trong làng”, “Anh về đẹp tình quê hương”, “Nhớ mẹ”, “Anh
hai về làng”, “Sông quê tình nhớ”, and "Tình em quán phượng”
for his lover.
After 1975, he reopened his clock repair shop, then 2 gold
shops: Kim Hoang and Toàn Tân in Go Cong market. His passion
for music prompted him to hold guitar to find the melody, he
composed tirelessly, a series of songs about his home province Tien Giang: Chiều hè bãi biển (1986), Chung một dòng sông
(1986), Gò Công hồng trang sử (1986), Biển thức (1986), Về nông
trường Phú Đông (1986), Hương sơ ri (1993), Nhớ biển Gò Công
(2001), Xa rồi Gò Công (2002), Chuyến xe Tiền Giang (2002)...
Most of his songs focused on the hometown of his beloved
Go Cong, from the love couples to loved ones. For him, art is not
parallel with the economy, two gold shops turned away, life was
becoming more and more difficult, he went to Saigon to find the
music centers for living; but living that way is not sustainable, and
he fell ill, died in 2002.
14.11. Musician Nguyen Huu Tan
Nguyen Huu Tan’s childhood home is in Long Chanh, Go Cong
town. His Grand Mom’s uncle is famous writer Ho Bieu Chanh.
At age 16, Nguyen Huu Tan published the song "Once You Say"
(Ngày xưa em nói), female singer Hoang Oanh recorded on CD,
Bạch Tuyết - Hoai Vinh Phuc converted into neoclassical
interchange (tân cổ giao duyên). The song “Bài ca ngông” won the
third prize, awarded by the Saigon Radio Station. When American
troops came to Vietnam, Nguyen Huu Tan established youth band
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named “BOYS” that performed at the U.S. military base in Lai
Khe, Binh Long district ... He was the lead guitarist of the band.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Tan also cooperated with Hùynh Hoa Túy Phượng, Khánh Băng - Phùng Trọng group on “Saigon Music
Festival” stage, as well as played guitar for Queen Bee Tea Room
(Joe Mc. Coy). During military drafting, he served in the Region I,
as head of military supplies at Đức Dục, Quang Nam. After 1975,
he was undergone 8-year “education” period. On return to home
he carried out some musical activities: Organizing Music Festival
in collaboration with Nha Phuong, Bao Yen, Thanh Lan...
He went to the U.S. through the H.O. (Humanitarian
Operation) program, continues to work and records on CD: Tôi
cũng có những chiều: singer Bích Xuân (Paris), Nỗi lòng rưng
rưng: Ái Vân, Bông Bí trắng (poem, Vũ Hối): Phương Dung, Phi
Nhung, Cánh nhạn sầu đông: Trang Mỹ Dung, Mưa tình: Thùy
Dương, Tình trái Sơ ri: Minh Cường, Gò Công trong lòng tôi:
Mạnh Hùng…
Musician Nguyen Huu Tan and his family currently live in
Sacramento, California.
15. WELL-KNOWN WRITERS IN GO CONG
15.1. Writer Ho Bieu Chanh
Writer Ho Bieu Chanh (1885-1958) who’s real name Ho Van
Trung, born on 1-10-1885 in Binh Thanh village, Go Cong. He
came from a peasant family, learnt Chinese literacy at childhood,
later transferred to the national language (Quốc ngữ) and French,
and then entered in My Tho and Saigon high school. In 1905, he
passes Thanh Chung Certificate (Middle school) and the
competition for the secretary rank of the Cochin chine Governor
Headquarters. He was the scribe, interpreter in many southern
provinces, such as Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Long Xuyen and Gia Dinh.
He served as The District Chief in many areas such as Càn Long,
O Mon, and Phung Hiep ..., and was promoted to Đốc Phủ Sứ in
1936, known integrity and poor people lover.
After retiring in 1941, he served as an adviser of the
Parliament Indochinese Federation Council, the Saigon City
Council, and Deputy Saigon City Chief, at the same time director
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of many newspapers. After the French re-conquest of the Cochin
chine in 1946, he was asked to advise the government of Dr.
Nguyen Van Thinh. But only a few months, when the government
collapsed, he retired to the countryside in hiding and dedicated the
remaining years to literary career. He died on September 4, 1958
in Phu Nhuan, Gia Dinh at 74.
He composed over 100 works, including novels and other
kinds such as research, literary criticism, operas and translations of
classical Chinese literary history as Love story, ancient wonders ...
contributing greatly to the development of the Vietnamese modern
literature. His writing style is simple, popular, very Southern,
describing the life and habits of rural life that the Southern people
favored. Many become immortal art works that were made into the
invaluable movies. The novels that are most welcome are Ngọn Cỏ
Gió Đùa, Cha Con Nghĩa Nặng, Cay Đắng Mùi Đời, Nặng Gánh
Can Thường, Tỉnh Mộng, Khóc Thầm… His first collection of
poems is "U tình lục" published in 1910. He was the co-founder of
3 newspapers: Đại Việt tạp chí, Tribune indigiène và Quốc Dân
diễn đàn in 1910-1920, and Cochin chine weekly magazine.
15.2. Poet Le Luong Tri (1893-1963)
He came from a Confucian family, also known as Le Van Quoi or
Le Van Nang, nick name Luong Tri, the son of Le Van Tuc and
Ms. Dang Thi Con. He lived in Duong Phuoc village, Hoa Lac Ha,
Go Cong province (now Tien Giang province).
At 19, he married Nguyen Thi Ngo, daughter of Nguyen
Van Khue in Tan Phuoc village, Rach Gia hamlet, Go Cong
province. She died after 27 years living with Lương Tri, there
were 3 boys 2 girls. Then, he remarried Ms. Nguyen Thi Sau and
lived together for 26 years.
With his educated person, specifically through Han
culture, he was living by farming. He was also the village chief for
a few years, called the "Thôn Năng", and then returned to farming
and caring medicine shop over 10 years. Le Luong Tri also drafted
specific books, socializing with writers, poets. He died on 8 April
1963 (lunar day) at 70.
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Le Luong Tri has genius for poetry known around the
region, but his modest nature makes people like him. Usually he
spoke poems easily and instantly, hence many poetry writers from
many places visited his home, creating cross-cultural living in
Khổng Tước Nguyên areas.
15.3. Mrs. Phan Thị Bạch Vân (1903-1980)
The real name of Mrs. Phan Thi Bach Van is Phan Thi Mai, the
fifth child in the modest family. She was born in 1903 in Bình
Trước village, Vinh Phuoc Thuong canton, Bien Hoa province
(now Thanh Binh ward, Bien Hoa city). Her first articles were
posted on “East France” newspaper in 1928. From literary grace
she met later mate Vo Dinh Dan. From 1928, she followed her
husband to live in Go Cong and founded the “Ladies Book Club”,
located at No. 24-26 Chủ sự Phước Street (Rạch Gầm now), Go
Cong town.
Mrs. Phan Thi Bach Van is a writer for women's right
struggle in the early 20th century. She was the habitant of Go
Cong town, with the ambition to contribute to provincial culture,
through printing and publishing at the Ladies Book Club from
1928 to 1930. She was the first woman for publishing books in
Vietnam, aimed at disseminating the ideas of democracy,
progressiveness, scientific knowledge for young people, with
emphasis on women.
Many known writers throughout the country gathered
around her Ladies Book Club, including Dam Phuong (Hue), Nam
Tran Tuan Khai (Hanoi), Nguyen Thi Tam Dan (Phu Quang Trung
Ky), Hoang Thi Tuyet Hoa (pen name of Phan Thi Bach Van),
Tung Viên (Phu Quang Trung Ky), Vu Xuan De (Hanoi), Quoc
Anh (Phu Tho school teacher, Dong Hoi), Tương Phố, Đông Hồ…
to translate the famous literature of China, India, Vietnam and
France into Vietnamese and disseminate new ideas to the society.
In 1930, the Ladies Book Club was closed by French
authority, because of its activities beneficial to the revolution.
Despite a short period of operation, Mrs. Bach Van contributed
greatly to the Vietnam literature, patriotism planted in the society
during the French domination and upheld the example of
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pioneering women serving the country. Mrs. Bach Van died on 28-1980 (i.e. 22-8 Canh Thân) in Saigon.
15.4. Female Artist Nguyễn Thị Manh Manh (1914-2005)
Female artist Manh Manh is an advance woman in pre-war,
nicknamed Nguyen Manh Manh, sign off Manh Manh. Real name
is Nguyen Thi Kiem, born on January 3, 1914 in Saigon, but lived
in Go Cong hometown. She died in 2005 in Paris, France. She is
the daughter of Councilor Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tri (also known as
Huyện Tri), also the writer in Go Cong at that time. She was a
former student of Gia Long purple áo dài School, had Thành
Chung Certificate (Middle School Level), strongly promoted new
poetry and launched Women right and Literature movement.
Manh Manh is a woman who first posted messages, shared
presentations of new poetry movement in Vietnam. She
specialized in writing reports and newspaper interviews for Phu
Nu Tan Van, and in turn wrote to newspapers such as: Công luận,
Nữ lưu, Việt Nam, Tuần Lễ này… She has also the pen name of
Mym, Nguyen Van Mym, Le Thuy.
She was famous throughout the country, a strange
phenomenon in the 1930s because of her courage to promote the
new poetry movement, through forums from South to North and
the newspaper "Phu Nu Tan Van" under her managing editor; thus
creating a wild famous polemics in Saigon. During this period,
strong support for new poetry came from Thế Lữ in the North and
Manh Manh in the South. Her defence for new poetry caused
uneasy to many educated elders in the country.
Female artist Manh Manh produced very little poems, and
she did not publish any poetry book. In private life, Manh Manh
met many sad stories; hence in early 1950, she quietly left home
for France to live on secrecy and hiding, cut off all contact with
acquaintances in the home country. Since then, no one knows
anything about her ... After a long time with no news, Manh Manh
passed away in a nursing home in Paris on January 26, 2005, at 91
years old.
16. FAMOUS CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS
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16.1. Confucius Worship Association
In addition to "Van Dan Go Cong", the province established an
association to worship Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, a
philosophy made of teachings for many generations in China and
many countries in Southeast Asia as well.
Confucius Worship Association was established by Đốc
Phủ Le Quang Liem, through mobilizing high-profile fans,
drafting regulations, and setting up the interim committee,
applying for the Government’s approval, and lending Võ Tánh
Temple in Go Cong Town, i.e. Long Thuan village then to its
headquarters in 1942... This place did not only serve Confucius
worship but also became literature forum for over 100 people from
all levels through meetings, poetry writing exchanges.
16.2. Go Cong Writing Forum
Before 1940, several provincial writers such as Tran Van Quang,
Nguyen Duy Duong, Duong Van Loi, Nguyen Huynh Mai,
Nguyen Van Thang, Le Bang Y, Thai Hoa, Quach Van Nghia,
Pham Dang Tha, Tran Van Năng, Nguyen Khac Minh, Minh
Hung, Kim Son, Ba Giao Huyện, etc. met together to form a
forum, named “Go Cong Writing Forum” (Van Dan Go Cong);
with the aim to jointly look after its members, enjoy writing and
also encourage writing ability development. On free days, they
gathered at Nguyen Duy Duong’s house to taste tea flavor,
declaim verses, and respond with poetry. Many poets in the home
province and neighboring regions later jointed in the Forum
friendly and the number surpassed one hundred. It was fun and
social exchange at the particular time of peace.
16.3. Poet Group of 20
The "Poet Group of 20" raised its profile with bittersweet love
poems to homeland – Go Cong. The Group was established on 111-1964, including poets in the province, who produced energetic
compositions, many worthy documents and poems, published on
national newspapers, making a lot of sympathy for readers. For
modern media, some Go Cong people also managed two large
newspapers in Saigon capital: Dân Tộc newspaper of Mr. Ly Quy
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Chung and monthly Dong Nai magazine of Professor Nguyen Van
Y.
16.4. Popular Literature
Go Cong scholars practice writing, poetry and recite their own
poems to express feelings during leisure time. Meanwhile, noneducated people who have not enough writing talent, but embrace
a poetic soul, through lullabies, singing words originated from
local areas.
Although Vietnam specializes in folk songs describing
farming situation, but also they are the voice of ordinary ones - it
is the product of farm fields, the villages, green bamboo,
mangrove… that should reflect the rural people’s customs.
16.5. Go Cong Mutual Association
Go Cong Mutual Association was founded in 1919 by the
movement of an intellectual group and Mr. Nguyen Duc Long, the
first Association Head, for the purpose of gathering the Go Cong
living in Sai gon urban to help each other in times of sickness,
danger, bereavement, etc. The Association continued operation up
to 1975, interrupting a year, which is 1945, so the 55 year long
activities. According to the minutes of the General Assembly held
on 14 December, 1974, membership number was up to 755 people
or equivalent to 755 families, and 199 people attended the
meeting.
Members paid small monthly dues, but they could obtain
positive benefits: medical support, hospital, money, allowances for
their parent, wife and children. This noble gesture made a lot of
people agree to join in the Association. The Association’s most
notable achievement is the creation of two cemeteries in Sai Gon
suburb. After 30 April, 1975, the Association ceased its activities;
the cemetery land at Tan Son Nhi was transferred to the new
government, which was later used for building textile factories.
17.
MAJOR FESTIVALS IN GO CONG
17..1. Peace Wish Festival (Kỳ Yên Festival)
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
Every year, the Wish for Peace Festival is held on 14-16
December (lunar date) in Go Cong’s villages, with the
participation of many people including adults and children.
In these days, Vinh Binh town’s streets are bustling. The
houses are cleaned and five fruit trays are decorated in the front
doors to welcome "Excellent spirit" (sắc thần). From late
afternoon on 14 December, the temple’s dragon team invites "Bàn
các ấp" of the town house to the temple - a longstanding rite of
sacrifice to invite the families worshiping in the small temples
(mieu) in hamlets. On the table, there are agricultural products
decorated by the artists’ skillful hands, making the noble image
that looks vivid... to worship Thành Hoàng. On 15 December, the
ceremony of Tiền hiền, Hậu hiền, and heroic martyr’s souls
took place until midnight. On 16 December, villagers brought gifts
(meat, sticky rice, cakes, fruits ...) to the temple and enjoyed
celebration.
The festival attracts many people across the region and
villages to gather with gifts on hand, they always dress neatly,
bow before the altar and pray God for good weather, favorable
crops, production development, and prosperous life. Thus, the
holidays mean two ways: just remember the great people who
reclaimed new lands in South Viet Nam, and also pray for happy
life. This is a living folk culture worth preserving, maintaining and
facilitating development.
17.2. Whale ceremony (Lễ Nghinh Ông) in Vam Lang
Whale ceremony was organized by fishermen in Vam Lang
village, East Go Cong on full-moon night of 16 June every year
(now lunar 10 March). According to legend, the whale helped
fishermen boats from sinking during big storm at sea, then brought
them to shore safely.
Religious whale fellow become known as the "Marine
General", "Mr. South", i.e. South Sea General, conferred by King
Gia Long. In principle, the worship to Whale like sacrifice
ceremony for the village’s Thanh Hoang is determined by court
rules: Must offer three times of wine, not once or twice, or four
times. True three times of wine. Who is wrongdoing shall be
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
considered to reverse the court’s discipline and be punished
severely.
The official Whale ceremony starts after midnight, since it
is believed that God has appeared. The boat left the dock. From
the shore, overlooking the glittering lights, ones can hear the
drums, gongs. The boat serves as a mid-air float sea temple.
After the ceremony is completed, the boat returns to shore.
The scene on the river banks is more exciting than ever before, it
is possible to say that the holiday fun of Whale ceremony is
equally important to the lunar New Year days or Tết. When the
boat is not yet reaching the estuary, fishermen prepare to welcome
the whale ceremony, with endless firecrackers, every big and
small boat is decorated grid, most luxurious table is placed with
incense, the candlestick, incense-burner, flowers, fruits, the
“manchon” lamp, or paper lamp; boat owners and fishermen stood
respectfully to worship in front of the table.
17.3. Hoai Quoc Cong Vo Tanh’s Anniversary Ceremony
In the context of Tay Son and Lord Nguyen civil war in Go Cong,
robbers emerged everywhere, causing miserable life for rural
people. Hero Vo Tanh was willing to expel looters and robbers,
bringing peace to the region; therefore the Go Cong people admire
him wholeheartedly. Relics of General Vo's temples and small
shrines are scattered throughout the province.
Before 1975, Go Cong Province has 32 Communes, out of
which 10 Communes established temple to worship hero Vo Tanh
through annual ritual to remember his great achievements
providing residential security to the people in this area. Ten
communes having Vo Tanh temple or shrine are as follows:
- Hòa Đồng district: Thạnh Nhựt, Vĩnh Viễn
- Hòa Bình district: Bình Long
- Hòa Lạc district: Long Thuận, An Hòa, Tăng Hòa, Tân
Thành, Phước Trung.
There is a place everywhere to worship him with
"excellent spirit" or “Sắc Thần” that was issued by King. Each
venue worships in other day, depending on the village pre-existing
rules. For example: the Temple in Thanh Nhut village worships
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
him for three days: 26, 27 and 28 May (lunar year). In the Temple,
the Vo Tanh altar is carved two gilded snippets:
“BÁT GIÁC HỎA ĐỒNG TÂM CỘNG XÍCH
THIÊN THU DANH THỬ NHỰT TRANH HỒNG”
In the horizontal sides of Vo Tanh altar, Ta Board on the
left to worship Ngo Tung Chau, Huu Board on the right to worship
Nguyễn Tấn Huyện. The position of Tien Hien and Hau Hien are
placed against the wall behind.
According to precedent, each year the local people offer
four fresh pigs (not roasted pork): one pig in the early morning of
27 May to worship Tien Su, one pig about 11 am to worship Quan
Hậu (Võ Tánh), one pig on the late 27 May, and then one pig in
the morning of 28 May to serve customers. 27 May is the right
anniversary, villagers and guests are crowded at the Temple. The
important guests and government officers often participate in this
morning ceremony.
17.4. People Hero Truong Dinh’s Anniversary Ceremony
National hero Truong Dinh’s anniversary ceremony is held on 19
and 20 August each year in Truong Dinh communal house in Gia
Thuan village (East Go Cong district) in a large scale, with the
participation of many guests from neighboring provinces. In Go
Cong town, ones also organize solemn festival to honor the hero
with the main ceremonies: Lễ rước linh (Thỉnh ông); Lễ Tiên
thường; Chánh tế; and Lễ Dâng hương from local Authorities
and other cultural activities for the purpose orienting the memory
of honor ancestors.
National hero Truong Dinh’s tombs and monuments are
located in the inner town of Go Cong. Every year on the
anniversary ceremony, so many people attended a large meeting to
commemorate the national hero. When referring him, people
remembered his heroic feats and the “dark leaves mass" base
(Đám lá tối trời)...
Back home, Son Tinh District, Quang Ngai province, after
Truong Dinh’s sacrifice, Hue court provided funds to build his
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Gò Công: Những dấu ấn nổi bật
temple in Từ Cung village, where he was born, and ordered the
Quang Ngai Authority to honor him annually. His tomb and
Temple were seriously damaged during the war, but now it looks
spectacular recovery.
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