Lost in the Poetry Space of Nguyen Khuyen at the Ancestral Temple

The Vietnamese countryside has long been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for poetry, and Nguyen Khuyen - the poet known as "Tam Nguyen Yen Do" - was one of those who contributed to embellishing that rural landscape with his elegant, gentle yet profoundly meaningful verses. Let's explore Nguyen Khuyen's shrine and his ancestral hall through this article by Tien Loc Palace Hotel!

I. Introduction to the poet Nguyen Khuyen

Nguyen Khuyen was one of the greatest poets in the history of Vietnamese literature. He was highly erudite, passing all three imperial examinations (thi huong, thi hoi, and thi dinh), earning him the title "Tam Nguyen Yen Do" (Triple Laureate of Yen Do Village). His hometown was the small village of Yen Do in the former province of Ha Nam's alluvial plains.

Nguyen Khuyen's verses skillfully extolled the beauty of the Northern Vietnamese countryside. To fully appreciate the poet's works and sentiments, you can visit Nguyen Khuyen's Ancestral Hall, a renowned site in Vi Ha Village (commonly known as Va Ha Village), Trung Luong Commune, Binh Luc District, Ha Nam Province.

II. The History and Ancient Charm of the Ancestral Hall
In 1843, the local residents voluntarily contributed labor and funds to construct a house to welcome Nguyen Lien, the poet's father, to teach the village children. This also served as the family's residence upon their return to their homeland.

In 1861, Nguyen Khuyen had to sell part of the house to make ends meet due to financial difficulties. In 1871, he entered the civil service, and at the age of 50 in 1884, he retired and returned to his native village. At this point, finding the old plot too cramped, he built a new residence on a larger piece of land.

In 1889, Nguyen Khuyen's son Nguyen Hoan purchased more land and dug a pond, expanding the area to 9 sào (around 3,600 square meters). Here, Nguyen Hoan had an ancestral hall and other structures built, most notably the two-section ancestral house with a 7-compartment main hall and a 3-compartment rear section.

In 1915, Nguyen Khuyen's great-grandson Thua Du sold the 7-compartment main hall to residents of Giai Dong Village to be used as a communal house.

Today, only an old brick gate and the 3-compartment rear section remain on the original plot, where Nguyen Khuyen lived for nearly 20 years until his passing. The old garden still flourishes with abundant fruits and flowers. The remaining 3 compartments now house the Ancestral Hall dedicated to the poet.

Upon entering the Ancestral Hall, visitors are immersed in a serene, ancient atmosphere imbued with poetry. From the old "Mon tu mon" brick gate, a winding brick path leads to the hall containing artifacts, calligraphic parallel sentences, and couplets gifted to Nguyen Khuyen by esteemed scholars, along with the poet's portraits and works.

Besides the ancient architecture, the remaining land is mainly planted with fruit trees like longans, jackfruit, coconuts, areca palms, oranges, and pomelos, creating a poetic ambiance fragrant with jasmine, lily, rose, betel, and wormwood blossoms.

III. Repository of Artifacts and Literary Works
Nguyen Khuyen's Ancestral Hall preserves many valuable artifacts closely tied to the poet's life and career. Visitors can admire the calligraphic parallel sentences and couplets gifted by renowned scholars, photographs depicting his life and achievements, and Nguyen Khuyen's famous poetic works.

If you have the opportunity to visit Ha Nam, take the time to explore Nguyen Khuyen's Ancestral Hall and immerse yourself in its poetic ambiance. Here, you can connect with his literary world and fully appreciate the beauty of this romantic, emotionally rich soul through his immortal verses.

If you plan to visit Ha Nam but are unsure of where to stay to make your journey more convenient, Tien Loc Palace Hotel would be the perfect choice.

Situated on National Highway 1A in the center of Phu Ly City, the 19-story Tien Loc Palace Hotel boasts a luxurious, modern architectural design. From the hotel, it's only a 5-minute journey to the bustling Bien Hoa neighborhood, and major Ha Nam tourist attractions are just 10-20km away.

Notably, all 208 rooms at Tien Loc Palace Hotel feature unique, individual designs and are outfitted with international-standard furnishings, ensuring a comfortable stay during your visit to Ha Nam.

This is Tien Loc Palace Hotel's article, which shares interesting highlights and tips for your 2024 solo trip. We hope it has provided you with useful experiences for your Solo Journey. If you have any questions about attractions or would like to learn more about Tien Loc Palace Hotel, please feel free to contact us:

Tien Loc Palace Hotel
Address: TS Khu 4, Thanh Chau Ward, Phu Ly City, Ha Nam Province
Phone: 02263 825555
Fax: 02263 825555
HOTLINE: 0986 074 989 - 0334.025.666
Email: tienlocpalace@tienlocgroup.com
Website: http://tienlocpalace.com/

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