"Clang" sows new Hanoi from ancient heritage

I met Mr. Nguyen Dan Huy (born in 1979, in Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi) when he was meticulously arranging the traditional food tray, preparing for the upcoming cultural program. While taking care of each dish, he enthusiastically shared with me the meaning of the flavors and the rules of conduct on the Vietnamese meal tray. In his bright eyes and enthusiastic voice, one could clearly feel his love for traditional culture.

“My father is People’s Artist Nguyen Dan Quoc, so from the age of 3, I was familiar with stage props, passionately helping my father paint backdrops, embroider costumes, and prepare for plays and cheo. The sounds and colors of stage art seeped into my blood. Since then, I have loved and always wanted to understand more deeply about Vietnamese culture,” Huy said.

Mr. Nguyen Dan Huy is currently Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Dinh Ward (Hanoi City). Photo: Hai Ly

Not pursuing a career in performing arts like his father, Huy brought his love of culture to his work in state management. In 2015, when he took on the position of Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the old Truc Bach Ward (now Ba Dinh Ward, Hanoi), Huy learned about local history and realized that around Truc Bach Lake there were dense layers of cultural sediments that had not been exploited and spread to their full potential. Since then, the young official has always struggled to find new approaches so that heritage can "live" in the community.

As a son of Hanoi, growing up with memories of the 5 tram lines running through the old streets, Mr. Huy cherished the idea of ​​connecting the relics, craft villages and cultural spaces around Truc Bach Lake into an experiential journey. The project "Tram Line No. 6" was formed from that, recreating the breath of old Hanoi in a new form.

“The project “Train Line No. 6” was developed by me with two main directions. In “Leng keng di het”, we built 8 train cars, each with a different theme for visitors to directly experience and interact with the cultural, historical and culinary heritage of Hanoi, as well as Vietnam. With “Leng keng to school”, I mobilized the community to donate, repair bicycles and send them to students in the highlands”, Mr. Huy emphasized.

In 2022, Mr. Nguyen Dan Huy introduced the first train car with the theme of Vietnamese tea within the framework of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival. Here, the Vietnamese tea-serving custom was vividly recreated in a novel presentation, attracting the attention of a large audience. The model quickly received positive feedback, becoming the premise for the leaders of Ba Dinh district to create conditions for the project to expand.

At the end of 2023, at the event “Truc Bach Night”, the project “Train Line No. 6” was officially launched. From there, Mr. Huy continued to complete other cars with many unique themes such as: “Rice-Paddy-Rice”; “Kitchen-Cooker-Tray”; “Pho-Noodle-Noodle”; “Café-Coffee-Coffee”; “Tea and the joy of Prajna”.

In just a short period of trial operation, the project welcomed many special guests such as: Ambassador of Finland, Ambassador of New Zealand, Ambassador of Cuba to Vietnam, Mr. Ho An Phong - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism,... The frank and objective comments from the guests helped the train cars to be more complete in terms of content and approach. Up to now, the train line is preparing to be officially put into operation, serving people and tourists on the journey to discover a Hanoi with a strong identity.

During that journey, Mr. Huy experienced many difficulties. Developing culture and tourism is only a small part of the task of a state management officer, so Mr. Huy had to take advantage of his free time to research, travel everywhere to collect artifacts, folk knowledge and traditional culinary quintessence.

Toa Tra and the hobby of playing Bat Nha bring visitors into an elegant tea-drinking space, where the quintessence of Vietnamese tea and the 8 elegant hobbies of the literati of the capital converge. Photo: Provided by the character

“At first, many architects advised me to stop, many also discouraged me because they thought the project was not feasible, but I still did it. Each day I completed a little bit, step by step building the shape of the project,” Huy recalled.

When the third train was completed, the project began to spread its appeal. People brought memorabilia from the subsidy period to contribute to the project. Artisans, cultural experts, chefs, etc. also actively participated. The idea that started from individuals gradually became a common project of the community, and cultural heritage was awakened through contributions in contemporary life.

"Clink" takes me to school

If “Leng keng di hanh” is a call back to the past, “Leng keng to school” is a bell ringing towards the future, supporting children in the highlands. In August 2024, when the “Leng keng di hanh” project gradually stabilized, Mr. Nguyen Dan Huy continued to devote himself to “Leng keng to school”.

“In Hanoi, many families have old bicycles that they do not use. It would be a waste to throw them away, but it is difficult to give them away because few people still use them. Meanwhile, in mountainous areas, bicycles help children shorten the distance to school and access knowledge more easily. Based on that reality, I mobilized people to donate bicycles that are still usable, repair them, repaint them, and give them to disadvantaged students,” Huy shared.

Since then, every weekend, the street corner by Truc Bach Lake has become a meeting place for volunteers. Old bicycles are brought by people, and mechanics will check, replace parts, and perform maintenance.

After ensuring good operation, the cars were repainted by students of Hanoi University of Architecture , pupils, locals and tourists. Photo: NVCC

Every time he collects 30-40 bicycles, Huy and his colleagues bring them to schools in the highlands to hand them out to students. In less than a year, “Leng keng den truong” has organized 3 trips to Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Tuyen Quang, giving away 120 bicycles along with thousands of backpacks, books and school supplies to disadvantaged students.

With its practical contributions to the community, “Leng keng to school” received a Silver Medal in the Happy Vietnam 2024 contest organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications (now the Ministry of Science and Technology). In April 2025, the development team of the “Leng keng to school” project was honored to be one of the 100 typical examples in the “Kind deeds” program of Vietnam Television, and was met and commended by President Luong Cuong.

In the coming time, Mr. Huy plans to coordinate with schools to build fixed bicycle reception points, both expanding resources and educating students on the spirit of sharing and empathy with those who are more disadvantaged than themselves. In addition, he continues to complete the remaining 3 train cars of “Leng keng di het”, introducing Truc Bach culture, street food and the quintessence of Vietnamese spices.

A staff member devoted to the community

According to Mr. Nguyen Dan Huy, a state management official should not just stop at the role of issuing policies and communicating in a formal way. “Most importantly, you must be the one doing it directly. People will only join when they trust you. And that trust will only come when they see that the official is not standing on the sidelines, but is the one who initiates, leads and rolls up his sleeves to do it together,” the Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ba Dinh Ward shared.

In 2019, he founded the “Connecting Love” Club, aiming to connect cadres, party members and local people to join hands to care for children and the elderly in difficult circumstances. Since then, the Club has regularly cared for nearly 20 children and lonely elderly people.

Since 2019, Mr. Huy has been taking care of 3 children in difficult circumstances. When they turn 18, he continues to take care of a new case. Not only does he support monthly expenses, he also spends time caring for, encouraging, and helping the children become more stable in life.

Under the jingling rhythm echoing from memories, Mr. Nguyen Dan Huy not only evokes the depth of heritage in the heart of Hanoi, but also sows hope in the highlands with the bicycles of love. Every initiative, every action originates from sincere attachment to the people. For that cadre, responsibility does not lie in position, but exists in every practical action.

TRAN HAI LY

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-16/nguyen-dan-huy-nguoi-can-bo-tam-huet-voi-di-san-het-long-vi-cong-dong-836343