SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE "GOVERNOR NGUYỄN VĂN THÀNH (1758-1817) AND THĂNG LONG - HÀ NỘI"
On the morning of December 19, 2024, the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám organized the scientific conference "Governor Nguyễn Văn Thành (1758-1817) and Thăng Long - Hà Nội". The conference aimed to explore the life and contributions of a prominent cultural figure who left a lasting impact on the capital, as well as to commemorate the 220th anniversary of the construction of Khuê Văn Pavilion, a symbol of Hanoi (1805-2025).
The conference was attended by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyễn Quốc Hùng, former Deputy Director of the Cultural Heritage Department; Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyễn Đức Nhuệ, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Institute of History; Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyễn Tá Nhí, Institute of Han-Nom Studies; Dr. Phan Đăng Long, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi History Association; Dr. Phạm Văn Thắm, Institute of Han-Nom Studies; Dr. Trịnh Thị Hà, Institute of History; Dr. Nguyễn Hữu Tâm, Institute of History; Dr. Trần Hậu Yên Thế, Vietnam National University, Hanoi; Dr. Lê Quỳnh Chi, Lecturer at the Faculty of Tourism, Hanoi Open University; Dr. Nguyễn Duy Hưng, the 6th-generation descendant of Governor Nguyễn Văn Thành; Dr. Lê Xuân Kiêu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám; Dr. Nguyễn Văn Tú, Deputy Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám; and other scholars and guests.
Nguyễn Văn Thành (1758-1817) was born in Bác Vọng Tây Village, Phú Ốc Commune, Quảng Điền District, Triệu Phong Prefecture (now Quảng Phú Commune, Quảng Điền District, Thừa Thiên Huế Province). He joined the Nguyễn Lords early in his life, becoming a renowned military leader trusted by Nguyễn Ánh (later King Gia Long).
As the Governor, Nguyễn Văn Thành made many wise decisions in politics, economics, and culture. He worked to improve the people's lives, recruiting settlers to return to their homeland in the northern part, built embankments, regulated water systems in the northern plains, and enacted policies to revive education. He attracted intellectuals and writers to help develop the country, restored the Thăng Long citadel, renovated the Văn Miếu, and built the Khuê Văn Pavilion. He also oversaw the construction of architectural works like the Kỳ Đài and Đồng Xuân Market. These decisions brought stability and prosperity to the region, earning him the respect of scholars and the affection of the people of the North Region during his tenure as Governor from 1802 to 1810.
The scientific conference "Governor Nguyễn Văn Thành (1758-1817) and Thăng Long - Hà Nội" received nearly 20 presentations from scholars at the Cultural Heritage Department, Institute of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), Thừa Thiên Huế Department of Culture and Sports, and the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám. The conference focused on the following topics:
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Governor of North Region Nguyễn Văn Thành - His life, career, and contributions to Thăng Long - Hà Nội.
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Preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Thăng Long - Hà Nội, notably the Khuê Văn Pavilion at Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám, which bears the imprint of Governor Nguyễn Văn Thành in the present day.
Below are some images from the conference!
Delegates offering incense to honor the sages and the Governor Nguyễn Văn Thành
Overview of the conference
Dr. Lê Xuân Kiêu, Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám, giving the opening speech
Delegates attending the conference
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyễn Đức Nhuệ giving presentation about "Nguyễn Văn Thành - His Background and Career"
Dr. Trịnh Thị Hà giving presentation about "The Educational Reforms and Relations with Intellectuals in the North Region under the Governor, Nguyễn Văn Thành"
Dr. Nguyễn Hữu Tâm giving presentation about "Governor of Hanoi Đặng Văn Hòa (Thiêm) - A Successor to Governor Nguyễn Văn Thành in Preserving and Promoting Thăng Long - Hà Nội's Cultural Values"
Dr. Nguyễn Văn Tú giving presentation about "Managing the Cultural Heritage of Governor Nguyễn Văn Thành in Thăng Long - Hà Nội"
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyễn Quốc Hùng giving presentation about "Preserving the Khuê Văn Các - Current Status and Solutions"
Dr. Nguyễn Duy Hưng, the 6th-generation descendant of Governor Nguyễn Văn Thành, giving presentation about "Governor Nguyễn Văn Thành in the Memory of Posterity"
Dr. Phan Đăng Long speaking at the conference
Dr. Trần Hậu Yên Thế speaking at the conference
Group photo of the delegates at the conference
Group photo of the delegates at the conference
Translator: NL
