The seminar was held in commemoration of the 334th anniversary of graduation day of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao (1683-2017) and the 366th anniversary of his birth (1651-2017) and in celebration of the Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Day (November 23) to recognize the contributions of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao in politics, culture, and education, as well as to evaluate the academic tradition of the Nguyen Dang family of Hoai Thuong, Tien Du, Bac Ninh.
General view of the seminar
Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao, courtesy name Chat Phu, posthumous name Don Nha, was born on the second day of the third month of the year Tan Mao, third year of Vinh Khanh (1651), and passed away on the twenty-eighth day of the second month of the year Ky Hoi, fifteenth year of Vinh Thinh (1719). He was from Hoai Thuong, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh Province. He was the second son of Advanced Scholar Nguyen Dang Minh, Head of Quoc Tu Giam (Imperial Academy), younger brother of Advanced Scholar Nguyen Dang Tuan, and grandson of Third-Best Candidate Nguyen Dang Cao. Nguyen Dang Dao, born and raised in the cultural space of Kinh Bac in a family well-known for its tradition of fondness for learning and successful academic records, also had intelligent and studious qualities similar to those of the seniors in his family.
On the imperial examination in the year Dinh Mui, fifth year of Canh Tri (1667) in the era of King Le Huyen Tong, Nguyen Dang Dao passed the three levels of examinations, and on the imperial examination in the year Quy Suu, second year of Duong Duc (1673) in the era of King Le Gia Tong, he was ranked first on the Provincial Examination. At the age of 33, Nguyen Dang Dao was titled Principal Graduate (first best candidate on the highest level of the nationwide imperial examinations) on the imperial examination in the year Quy Hoi, fourth year of Chinh Hoa (1667) in the area of King Le Hy Tong.
Dr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, presenting books to the representative of the Nguyen Dang family
Nguyen Dang Dao held significant positions in the imperial official system, such as Vice Chancellor, Vice Minister of Revenue, Vice Minister of Personnel, Head of Royal History Department, Minister of Defense, then Grand Chancellor, Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary, Count of Tho Lam. During his time in office, he was appointed twice as Head of Examination Committee for the metropolitan examination. He was also given the task of leading the mission to Qing China to reclaim the three areas, namely Nguu Duong, Ho Diep, and Pho Vien, of Tuyen Quang. He retired after 35 years of service to the Renaissance Le Dynasty. Nguyen Dang Dao passed away in the year Ky Hoi, fifteenth year of Vinh Thinh (1719), at the age of 69. At the time of his death, he was awarded the title of Minister of Personnel, Duke of Tho, and ordained the guardian god to be worshipped in the communal house of Hoai Dao village.
Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao’s work includes Principal Graduate Nguyen’s poetry collection on diplomatic mission (missing, not yet found), 6 epitaphs, and 11 poems (including 8 poems in Han script recorded in Toan Viet thi luc, or Full collection of Vietnamese poems, 01 poem in Nom script recorded in the clan’s genealogy, and 02 poems in Han script and Nom script recorded in Dang family’s genealogy).
The 27 research articles sent to the organizers of the seminar focus on the homeland and family line of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao, the life and career of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao, and preservation and promotion of the academic tradition of the Nguyen Dang family of Hoai Thuong Village, Bac Ninh
Exhibits on the topic of homeland, family line, and life of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao
Several exhibits on the topic of homeland, family line, and life of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao were displayed in the front hall of Thai Hoc House (House of Scholarship). Nearly 100 documents, photos, technical drawings and various artifacts, including books written in Han script, bundles of books, bookshelves, ink brushes and ink stones, and other items related to the topic were introduced to the audience to help reconstruct an impression of the life and career of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao, academicians of the Nguyen Dang family, and the family’s tradition of fondness for learning. The exhibits were divided into three main topics, namely “Homeland and family line of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao”, introducing the prominence and character of the traditional culture of Kinh Bac and the legacy left in Lien Bao, Tien Du, homeland of Principal Graduate Biu; “Life and career of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao”, containing authentic presentation about the life and career of Principal Graduate Nguyen Dang Dao; and “Academic tradition of the Nguyen Dang family”, focusing on displaying pictures of annual ritual activities, study encouragement, and accreditation ceremonies of professor, doctor titles, etc. in the Nguyen Dang family’s ancestral temple. The seminar showed the efforts of Bac Ninh Province’s cultural authorities and the descendants of the Nguyen Dang family in preserving and promoting the values of the forefathers, thereby encouraging today’s young people to put their efforts in learning and self-improving to be good citizens for the development of the homeland and country.
T.Nga