On the morning of November 18, 2024, at the Special National Historical Site – Memorial of Emperor Le Thai To, located at 16 Le Thai To Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports’ Monuments Management Board inaugurated the thematic exhibition “Emperor Le Thai To – The Founder of the Later Le Dynasty”.
Delegates attending the ceremony
Attending the ceremony were delegates including Comrade Nguyen Van Phong – Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee; Comrade Nguyen Lan Huong – Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi; Associate Professor Dr. Do Van Tru – Chairman of the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association; Dr. Nguyen Van Doan – Director of the National Museum of Vietnamese History; Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh – Director of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum; Comrade Do Dinh Hong – Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports; Comrade Dao Xuan Dung – Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the Hanoi Party Committee; scientists, leaders of various departments and units under the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, representatives from the Hoan Kiem District Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, etc.
Comrade Do Dinh Hong – Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports delivering the opening speech for the thematic exhibition
In celebration of Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23, 2005 – November 23, 2024) and towards the 14th National Congress of the Party, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports directed the Monuments Management Board to organize the thematic exhibition “Emperor Le Thai To – The Founder of the Later Le Dynasty” to honor and remember the contributions of national hero Emperor Le Loi.
In his opening remarks, Comrade Do Dinh Hong highlighted the historical significance of the Le Thai To Memorial, located in Hang Trong Ward (Hoan Kiem District). This site is part of the Special National Historical and Scenic Complex of Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, recognized by the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2383/QD-TTg dated December 9, 2013, and managed by the Monuments Management Board of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports. The memorial, located by Hoan Kiem Lake, was constructed during the Nguyen Dynasty by Hoang Cao Khai, Governor-General of Northern Vietnam, in 1896 to commemorate Emperor Le Loi’s victories against the Ming invaders, securing national independence and prosperity for the Dai Viet nation, and the legendary return of the sacred sword to the golden turtle in Hoan Kiem Lake. This legend has been passed down through generations, becoming a symbol of the Vietnamese people’s patriotism, resilience against foreign invaders, and aspiration for peace, etc.
Delegates offering incense at the ceremony
Delegates cutting the ribbon to open the thematic exhibition and visiting the display
Emperor Le Thai To (1385-1433), whose given name was Le Loi, was a national liberation hero and leader of the Lam Son uprising, establishing the Later Le Dynasty. Born and raised in Lam Son (now Tho Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province), Le Loi displayed exceptional intelligence, bravery, and virtue from a young age. In 1416, Le Loi and 18 trusted friends formed the Lung Nhai Oath Alliance. In 1418, he raised the flag of rebellion, proclaiming himself Binh Dinh Vuong (King of Pacification), garnering widespread support from people and heroes. Under his leadership, the Lam Son insurgents grew into a formidable, disciplined force closely connected with the people. After 10 arduous years of fighting, the uprising triumphed, unifying the country. On April 15, 1428, Le Loi ascended the throne as Emperor, adopting the era name Thuan Thien and naming the country Dai Viet, founding the Later Le Dynasty. During his reign, Emperor Le Thai To established laws, ceremonial music, organized examinations, trained talent, formed a standing army, appointed officials, and revived the economy, laying the foundation for a prosperous and independent Dai Viet.
A corner of the exhibition space
Scene of the ceremony
Using modern display methods, combining legend, history, archaeological findings, the exhibition introduces Binh Dinh Vuong Le Loi, the Lam Son uprising, Emperor Le Thai To’s coronation, and the nation’s reconstruction. It showcases the legacy of the Le era, architectural relics, artifacts, diagrams, and maps from the Later Le Dynasty. The exhibition also includes activities to honor and preserve the memorial of Emperor Le Thai To and other significant relics, symbolizing Thang Long – Hanoi within the cultural space of Hoan Kiem Lake. Particularly notable is the experiential reenactment of Emperor Le Thai To returning the sacred sword to the turtle in Hoan Kiem Lake during the “Ngoc Son – Mysterious Night” tour, providing additional information and images about Emperor Le Thai To’s life and the Later Le Dynasty, contributing to the preservation and promotion of the historical value of the Le Thai To Memorial within the cultural landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Duc Minh