When the journalist went, found and told about "Old traces of Can Tho"

At the National Achievements Exhibition celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day with the theme "80 years of the Journey of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" (taking place from August 28 to September 5, 2025 in Hanoi), Can Tho City participated in the exhibition "Bright Can Tho - New position, new vision". In which, in the space displaying books and documents about Can Tho City, there is the book "Old traces of Can Tho" which has just been published by Literature Publishing House. The book is by author Dang Huynh, reporter of Can Tho Newspaper and Radio and Television.

“ Can Tho Old Traces” is Dang Huynh’s first book, a selection of 40 of the author’s favorite research articles. Following him, readers follow the flow of time to find the “old traces” that have shaped the land and people of Can Tho.

Starting with the article “Some features of the urbanization process in Can Tho in the past”, the author leads readers to follow the footsteps of the ancients, learn about the history of land reclamation by their ancestors to the process of urban development of Tay Do in the early years of the 20th century. From valuable sources of information, the author synthesizes and sketches a young urban area bearing the mark of the river region with canals, streams, markets, schools, roads, wharves, etc. Can Tho in the past continues to be sketched more clearly not only through the famous travelogue of journalist Khuong Viet published continuously in 19 issues of the Nam Ky weekly newspaper in 1942, but today, journalist Dang Huynh also follows in his footsteps, going to the places described in the travelogue to record and compare the changes of these places after more than 80 years.

Just like that, with his passion and seriousness in researching the source of culture, the young journalist's footsteps have reached most of the places bearing the traces of the ancients. From the "Western Printing House" established earliest in the Southwest to ancient houses, communal houses, famous places, legendary stories, historical figures... the author recorded, carefully researched and then retold them clearly and coherently for everyone to listen, know, and understand more about the culture, history, and people of the capital of the West. Among them, there are many interesting stories about the places of Tan An, Binh Thuy, about the custom of worshiping Ong Ho at Binh Thuy communal house, the legends at Thuong Thanh communal house...

Along with many books and documents about Can Tho City displayed at the exhibition “Radiant Can Tho - New position, new vision”, there is the book “Old traces of Can Tho”. Photo: THANH BINH

If the architectural heritage and urbanization are the solid foundation for a Can Tho to develop, then the people, especially the famous people, have contributed to weaving the cultural depth of Can Tho. Through the author's pen, readers have more knowledge about the ancients who brought glory to this land, such as: Dinh Sam - Hero of Tay Do, Commander Vo Duy Tap, First Class Bui Huu Nghia, patriotic poet Phan Van Tri, patriotic scholar Phan Ngoc Hien. At the same time, they enjoy listening to stories about the ancients who established theater troupes, opened parks, built zoos... Then they admire the talented artists and their contributions to Can Tho and the country's culture, from which they know who brought "Da Co Hoai Lang" to the cai luong stage, who was the first artist to bring cai luong to the West, who is the famous zither master of Tay Do...

In addition, spiritual and social life is also exploited through many aspects, helping readers discover how Can Tho people celebrated Tet more than 100 years ago, the appearance of plows in agriculture , the profession of growing Cau Duc pineapples, the pride in "Can Tho Ho" - National Intangible Heritage, the role and beauty of ceremonial music... In particular, the two articles "Returning to the garden" and "Old features of new streets" with simple but emotional writing style, make readers feel nostalgic, good life values ​​preserved and promoted by generations of grandparents - parents - children in families in both rural and urban areas.

“Can Tho Old Traces” is a valuable source of information in the research and study of the “time sediments” that have created the cultural depth of the land and people of Can Tho. It can be seen that the source of culture is not only filled in each word, flowing through each page of the book, but from the perspective of a professional journalist, the author connects the past and the present, while also wishing to preserve, promote and spread the cultural identity of Can Tho past and present.

Journalist Dang Huynh, real name Dang Duy Khoi, was born in 1987, in Vinh Loc commune, Ca Mau province; is a reporter for Can Tho Newspaper and Radio and Television. In 15 years of working, he has won many central and local journalism awards. In particular, the articles with in-depth research on the land and people of Can Tho not only outline the culture and history of the former Tay Do but also express the author's deep love for the land of "White rice, clear water" - where the author studied, lived and worked.

CAT DANG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/khi-nha-bao-di-tim-va-ke-lai-dau-xua-can-tho--a190303.html