Nestled among ancient trees in Nguyen Binh Khiem commune, Hai Phong city, the Nguyen Binh Khiem National Special Relic Site stands distinct from urban clamor. Spanning over 91,500 square meters, this complex features a harmonious layout guided by Eastern feng shui principles: its facade faces east towards the sea, a clear blue lake lies in front, the north is backed by the Tuyet Giang River dike, and the west and south are enveloped by rice fields and characteristic tobacco plantations.

This site fully portrays the life and stature of Nguyen Binh Khiem (1491-1585), an influential historical figure of the 16th century. He became a Trang nguyen (first-ranked doctorate) in 1535 at the age of 45, serving as Minister of Personnel and Grand Tutor (Thai Bao) with the title Duke of Trinh (Trinh Quoc Cong) during the Mac dynasty. However, he is remembered not for his official robes but for the integrity of a scholar deeply concerned with the times. Witnessing political turmoil and historical upheavals, he chose to "hang up his seal and resign" to preserve his honesty, returning home to build Bach Van hermitage, open Trung Tan school, teach, and heal people.

Den tho danh nhan van hoa Nguyen Binh Khiem. Anh: Ban Quan ly Khu di tich quoc gia dac biet Den tho Trang Trinh

Entering the relic site, visitors journey back in time to the simple life of the "Bach Van Hermit". The architectural complex includes the main temple, temples for his parents, Bach Van hermitage, Trung Tan school, But Kinh Thien tower, and the tomb of Nguyen Van Dinh. In the main temple area, large reliefs and an elaborate system of statues vividly depict key stages of the Scholar's life: from his studious youth, years as an official at court, to his reclusive life as a teacher. Valuable artifacts such as royal decrees, stone steles, horizontal lacquered boards, ancient worship objects, and a rich archive of poetry and literature help visitors clearly visualize the great character of an intellectual consistently dedicated to "pacifying the people", "respecting the people", and aspiring to a peaceful nation.

Nguyen Binh Khiem's spiritual legacy is a vast treasure trove of over 700 poems in Han (classical Chinese) and Nom (demotic script), notably the "Bach Van Am Thi Tap". The dominant philosophy throughout his works is "thuan thien nhi hanh" – acting in harmony with nature and the laws of heaven and earth.

According to Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Lan Oanh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism, the uniqueness of Nguyen Binh Khiem's thought lies in his ability to seamlessly combine profound Confucian wisdom with practical political experience and deep Vietnamese cultural intuition. "His philosophy is not detached from reality but guides people towards awakening, and communities towards harmony and stability. Therefore, even after nearly 500 years, these values remain relevant and applicable to many issues of the modern world", Oanh stated.

Tuong danh nhan Van hoa Nguyen Binh Khiem. Anh: Ban Quan ly Khu di tich quoc gia dac biet Den tho Trang Trinh

Annually, in the 11th lunar month, the Trang Festival is grandly celebrated, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over. Traditional rituals such as the Moc Duc ceremony, literature procession, and cao yet are performed solemnly, interspersed with vibrant festive activities like water puppetry, boat racing, and traditional wrestling. Visitors come here to pay homage to the distinguished figure and experience the rich cultural life of the Hoa River delta region.

In recent years, Hai Phong city has invested in preserving and promoting the value of the relic site. Buffer zone planning is strictly implemented to control construction activities and maintain the pristine landscape. Concurrently, efforts to preserve and document materials are enhanced. Royal decrees and steles are inventoried and annotated by the management board; rituals and folk performances are audio and video recorded for long-term storage. Signage systems and digital applications are also progressively being completed, helping visitors easily access information and gain a deeper understanding of Scholar Trinh's philosophy.

Khuon vien Den tho Trang Trinh. Anh: Ban Quan ly Khu di tich quoc gia dac biet Den tho Trang Trinh

Since 2022, Hai Phong initiated a program to advocate for UNESCO to honor Scholar Trinh Nguyen Binh Khiem. The city established a steering committee and organized a series of national scientific workshops with many cultural and historical experts analyzing Nguyen Binh Khiem's contributions to national and human culture. Currently, his remaining works are being translated into English by the city to finalize the international dossier.

Thanh Thu