Remembering teacher Nguyen Huu Khanh - the one who sowed history from the land of the King's homeland

During 15 years of working as a journalist, I have traveled to many places and met many people in Thai Nguyen. Each character left a memory in me. But there is one person who always makes me remember every time I write about Thai Nguyen, that is teacher Nguyen Huu Khanh, who tirelessly traveled on a journey to find the homeland of the first king in Vietnamese history - Ly Nam De.

Teacher Nguyen Huu Khanh. Photo: TL

One life, one source of Van Xuan

In April 2017, I was a reporter for Thai Nguyen Newspaper, assigned to be in charge of propaganda in Pho Yen area. At that time, I was introduced by Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Dong Cao commune, about Mr. Khanh, an old teacher who had devoted half his life to clarifying a mystery of national history: the homeland of the first king of Vietnam - Ly Nam De. Immediately after that, a colleague and I went to his house to meet him.

Teacher Khanh's house is only about 30 square meters wide, located deep in a small alley, next to Dong Cao market. That year, he was 84 years old, his health was weak, but he was still sharp. Knowing that we were reporters, he smiled and said: After retiring, I wrote more than 100 articles, published more than 10 books from poetry, prose to historical poems. In particular, the book "Van Xuan" published in 2016 is my most favorite work, depicting the life and career of King Ly Nam De using epic material.

Not a famous scientist , not supported by a large research institute, Mr. Khanh is a teacher, researcher, journalist and... "poor" as people affectionately call him. With no official position, no research allowance, no one assigned tasks, only a heart that loves history and a dilapidated bicycle from the 90s of the last century, Mr. Khanh traveled all over Pho Yen and neighboring areas to talk to the elderly, compare folk legends, look up history books and old documents, and diligently take notes in notebooks to learn about the homeland of King Ly Nam De.

Finally, using documents, ancient maps, books, and witnesses, he found valuable pieces: The homeland of King Ly Nam De, Chau Gia Nang, the ancient Thai Binh hamlet, is now Tien Phong, Pho Yen. From the first articles published in the Journal of the Institute of History in 1997, to a series of in-depth articles in the Thai Nguyen Culture Journal, he gradually built up a convincing scientific profile.

In 2012, thanks to the support of researchers and the attention of the government, the Scientific Conference on the homeland of King Ly Nam De was organized by the Vietnam Historical Science Association in coordination with the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen province and the People's Committee of Pho Yen district. Among the 33 published papers, there were 4 dedicated articles by teacher Nguyen Huu Khanh, the only person not belonging to any research institute, but who laid the foundation for a new direction of verification.

From the results of Mr. Khanh's persistent research and the participation of scientists, relics such as Huong Ap Pagoda and Muc Temple were recognized as national historical relics (in 2014). In 2016, Man Tang Pagoda continued to be ranked as a provincial relic. The scientific data proposed by him has become an important basis for the locality to determine the value, preserve and develop the cultural heritage associated with King Ly Nam De.

Inauguration ceremony of the restoration and embellishment project of Ly Nam De Temple, in the Ly Nam De Historical Relic Complex (November 2024). Photo: TL

Unfinished business

I still remember the conversation I had with Mrs. Le Thi Ha Bac, Mr. Khanh's wife, she said: "Now people have recognized King Ly Nam De's homeland as Pho Yen. But my husband's achievements... many people do not know clearly..." Her eyes were a little sad.

Carrying that concern, when I returned, I quietly wrote a memoir about him. The article is a tribute, and also a voice of the press reminding me of a man who silently preserved the history of his homeland and people.

After that article, along with the voices of a number of researchers and the direction of dedicated leaders, the local government promptly awarded a Certificate of Merit to recognize Mr. Nguyen Huu Khanh's contributions, a late but meaningful gesture.

In 2020, I visited him again when I heard that he had moved to Luong Chau ward (Song Cong city) and was seriously ill. His room was quiet at that time, the light through the door shone on his thin, haggard face.

He could no longer speak much, but his eyes still shone with passion. His small, veined hand held mine, pointing to the old notebooks beside his pillow, his voice whispering: “History... is still unfinished…”

Not long after, he passed away in silence, without seeing all the honored works that he had helped lay the foundation for.

After his death, many projects to restore, embellish and expand relics related to King Ly Nam De such as Muc Temple and Huong Ap Pagoda in Tien Phong Commune were actively implemented by Pho Yen authorities. In particular, in November 2024, Pho Yen City People's Committee organized the inauguration of the project to restore and embellish the Ly Nam De Temple Relic, in the Ly Nam De Historical Relic Complex (including Muc Temple, Huong Ap Pagoda, Man Tang Pagoda), with an area of ​​7,500m2.

Every time I visit the Ly Nam De historical relic complex in Pho Yen, I remember the image of teacher Khanh diligently cycling in the early morning mist, following every faint trace of history to write the truth.

As I sit down to write this article, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam’s revolutionary press, I realize that journalism is not only a profession but also a bridge connecting memory and the present. And journalists like us not only report news, but also listen and remind people of things that should not be forgotten about those who have silently preserved the history of our homeland.

As a journalist, a young person who once sat next to him and listened to his stories, I only wish for one small thing: At each relic such as Muc Temple, Huong Ap Pagoda or the old Thai Binh Hamlet... there will be a small sign with a simple inscription: "This relic has the research contribution of teacher Nguyen Huu Khanh (1933-2020), the first person to identify the homeland of King Ly Nam De in Tien Phong, Pho Yen." That was also his greatest wish before leaving this world.

I believe that the signboard is not only a word of gratitude, but also a flame of inspiration, so that every Thai Nguyen child today and tomorrow understands that: Preserving and spreading the source of culture is not only the work of historians, but the responsibility of the whole community...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202506/nho-thay-nguyen-huu-khanh-nguoi-gioi-hon-su-tu-manh-dat-que-vua-2a7050b/