Vietnamese Women, vol. 2 chapter 1, part 1: goddesses - lady ancestors - professions

from: Bao Tang Phu Nu Nam Bo: The Vietnamese Women. Vestiges & Landscapes. The Cultural-Historic (Di Tich Thang Canh Lich Su Van Hoa. Phu nu Viet Nam); Nha Xuat Ban Phu Nu 1999; volume 2: remains of goddesses - lady ancestors of different professions - mothers of famous persons (Di tich ve nu than, mau, ba to cac nganh nghe va me cac danh nhan)

1.1 CÔ TRAI Pagoda

CO TRAI VILLAGE - VINH LINH TOWNLET - QUANG TRI PROVINCE

The pagoda was the worshipping place of Hieu Khang Empress, King Gia Lon's mother whose family name was Truong. Her hometown was Co Trai village. From the 5th year of King Minh Mang reign (1824), it was changed to become a Buddhist pagoda (p.1)

1.2 Empress THÙA THIÊN CAOs Mausoleum

King GIA LONG's Wife

Empress Thua Thiên Cao's mausoleum whose family name was Tong is located in the royal cemetery near the burial place of King Gia Long.

King Gia Long ordered to construct the tomb in 1814 and it was completed in 1820 when he died. The tomb is located on the left side of the Huong river, in the West, 12 km distant form the city.

Thua Thiên Cao Empress was a mandarin's daughter under the Nguyen dynasty, her native village was in Tông Son district, Thanh Hoa province. In 1774,when Lord Trinh attacked Thuân Hóa, she was taken by her father following Nguyên Ánh to Quang Nam, then to Gia Ɖinh. When she was 18 years old, Nguyên Ánh married her with full traditional ceremonies. She had with Nguyên Ánh two sons; one of them was crown Prince Canh, but both of them died young. She was recommended by King Gia Long to bring up Prince Ɖam (who became King Minh Mang later) from the age of three; so she loved Ɖam Prince like her own son and Prince Ɖam respected her very greatly.

Thua Thiên Cao Empress was a good, loyal wife; she shared with her husband all difficulties when he was still on the battle field. She was also a dutiful daughter-in-law who took care of the affairs in the royal palace with a harmonious [feeling for] relationships.

In 1805, after having ascended the throne, King Gia Long nominated her as Gian Cung Tê HIêu Ɖúc Chính Thuân Nguyên Empress.

She died on February 2nd, 1814 and was buried on April 26th, 1815 (lunar calendar). (p.3)

1.3 Empress THUÂN THIÊN CAO's Mausoleum

Kind MINH MANG's Mother

ƉINH MÔN VILLAGE - HUONG THO VILLAGE - HUONG TRÀ DISTRICT - THUA THIÊN-HUÊ PROVINCE

Empress Thuân Thiên Cao's mausoleum is located on the left side of Minh Thanh palace within King Gia Long's mausoleum precinct. In 1846, King Thiêu Tri named the mausoleum Thiên Thu Huu.

She was a concubine of King Gia Long and the daughter of Tho Quôc Công Trân Hung Ɖat. At the age of 14 (1781), she entered the royal family and was appointed as "Ta Cung Tôn" with the royal name "Nhi Phi". In 1791, at the age of 24, she gave birth to Prince Dam (who became King Minh Mang later).

In Quy Suu lunar year (March 1821), King Minh Mang organized a ceremony to nominate her as Queen Mother.

She was an industrious and economical lady; she ordered to set up cloth weaving house and silk worm raising inside the palace.

In the 3rd month of King Thiêu Tri reign (1841), she was granted the title of "Nhân Tuyên Tu Khanh Thai Queen Mother".

She died in September 1846 at the age of 79 and was buried in December 1846; she was granted the title of as "Thuan Thien Hung Thanh Quang Du Hoa Co Nhan Tu Tuyên Tu Khanh Ɖuc Trach Nguyên Công Cao Empress".

1.4 Empress THUÂN ƉÚC NHÂN's Mausoleum

King THIÊU TRI's Mother

CU CHÁNH VILLAGE - THUY BANG COMMUNE - HUONG THUY DISTRICT - THUA THIÊN - HUÊ PROVINCE

Empress Thuan Duc Nhan's mausoleum which was built at Cu Chanh mountain, Huong Thuy district, Huê was called "Hiêu Dông mausoleum" and her worshipping temple was named "Vinh Tu Palace".

Her real name was Hô Thi Hoa (1791-1807), she was born in Bình An district, Biên Hòa province. Her father was Mr. Hô Van Bôi (or Hô Van Vui).

In 1802 (Bính Dân lunar year), King Gia Long and Empress Thùa Thiên Cao chose a daughter of Hô Van Vui, a meritorious mandarin, as the spouse of Prince Ɖam (King Minh Mang). She was famous for beauty and virtue and was beloved by King Gia long, the empress and her husband. In may 1807, she gave birth to Prince Miên Tông (who became King Thiêu Tri later) and died 13 days later at the age of 17. The cause of her death was not recorded.

In 1821, King Minh Mang conferred on her the title of Chiêu Nghi Thuân Ɖúc.

In 1836, she was granted the titled of Thân Phi.

In 1841, King Thiêu Tri extolled his mother as "Tá Thiên Lê Thánh Ɖoan Chính Cung Hòa Ɖôc Khánh Tù Huy Minh Hiên Thuân Ɖúc Nhân Empress" (p.8).

1.5 QUEEN MOTHER TÙ DU's Mausoleum

King TU DÚC's mother

THUY BANG VILLAGE - HUONG THUY DISTRICT - THUA THIEN - HUE PROVINCE

Queen Mother Tu Du's mausoleum which is on the right side of XUONG mausoleum is called "Xuong Tho mausoleum" in Huong Thuy district, Huê.

Her real name was Pham Thi Hang (or Hao), the eldest daughter of Pham Ɖang Hung, King Gia Long's meritorious mandarin. Her birth place was Tân Hòa district, Gia Ɖinh province (Gò Cóng district, Tiên Giang province of today).

At the age of 14, her reputation for virtue came to Empress Thuân Thiên Cao (the 2nd concubine of King Gia Long), she was called to the royal palace for serving Prince Miên Tông (who became King Thiêu Tri later). In 1828, she gave birth to Prince Hông Nhâm (who became King Tu
Ɖúc later). In 1841, she was an imperial concubine, two years later, she was granted the tilted of "Thành Phi", in 1847 the title of "Quí Phi" then "Nhât Giai Phi". In 1849, King Tu Ɖúc nominated her as Queen Mother. In 1889, King Thanh Thái extolled her as Tu Du Bách Huê Khang Tho Thái Queen Mother.

She was famous for educating her children seriously; as a Queen Mother, she remained a simple, industrious and economical life, she was a very mild mannered and erudite woman.

She died on April 5th, 1901 at the age of 92. In May of that year, she was extolled as "Nghi Thiên Tán Thánh Tù Du Bác Huê Trai Túc Tuê Ɖat Tho Nhân Công Chuong Empress".

In HCMC [Ho Chi Minh City, former Saigon], there is a big gynecologist hospital bearing her name Tù Du Hospital at Công Quynh Street, District 1 (p.10).

1.6 Lady ƉAM PHUONG's Tomb [a woman writer, a woman journalist for liberation from feudal traditions]

HUÊ CITY

Lady Ɖam Phuong's tomb was previously in Thanh Hóa where she died. After the liberation, in August 1984, her remains were brought to Huê and buried in the cemetery precinct of Phan Bôi Châu, beside her son's tomb: Hai Triêu Nguyên Khoa Van.

Lady Ɖam Phuong, whose real name was Tôn Nu Ɖông Canh, alias Quy Luong, was born in Tân Ty lunar year (1881) at Tôn Nhon district (Huê); she was the second daughter of Nguyên Miên Triên (title of Hoàng Hóa Quân Vuong), the 66th prince of King Minh Mang.

Her husband was Nguyên Khoa Tung (Sir Nghè Sáu), a virtuous and talent man. She was the mother of the revolutionary writer Hai Trieu Nguyên Khoa Van and the grandmother of the poet Nguyên Khoa Ɖiêm, who is the Minister of Culture and Information now.

From 1918, her proses appeared on many magazines such as: Nam Phong magazine, Trung Bac Tân Van newspaper, Huu Thanh magazine, Phu nu Tân Van, Tiêng Dân, Thuc Ngiêm.

She was also the author of valuable books such as: "Giáo Duc Nhi Ɖông" (Children Education), "Phu nu voi Gia dinh" (Women and family), "Giáo duc Phu nu" (women Education) and a number of magazines which were lost during the war such as: "Kim Tu Câu" and "Hông Phân Tuong Tri" which are published by Nu Luu Thu Quán in 1927, "Hai muoi nam truoc", "Ɖam Phuong Thi Van Tâp"...

We can say that all her works are rather enormous and rare for a lady at that time.

She was the founder and the first Chairwoman of "Nu Công Hoc Hôi" (Housework Learning Association) and participated in many other social activities. She was one of the first woman journalist who struggle for the women liberation in our country against the feudal traditions which tied women.

After August Revolution, she entered the resistance zone with her children. She died old in December 1947 at Lac Lâm village, Tho Xuân district, Than Hoa province (p.13).

1.7 Lady MAC THI GIAI mausoleum

CHIEM SON VILLAGE - DUY XUYEN DISTRICT - QUANG NAM PROVINCE

Lady Mac Thi Giai's mausoleum is now deserted at Ham Rông hillock, Chiêm Son village, Quang Nam province.

This mausoleum was named by King Gia Long Vinh Diên mausoleum in the same year with Vinh Diên mausoleum of Lady Doàn Quí Phi in 1806.

Lady Mac Thi Giai was the wife of Lord Sai Nguyên Phúc Nguyên, Hiêu Van Empress. She was born in Nghi Duong village, Hai Duong province; she was one of 18 children of Khiêm Vuong Mac Kinh Diên, a high ranking mandarin of Mac dynasty. Her father died when she was only 5 years old and the Mac dynasty weakened. She followed her uncle Mac Canh Huông to Thuân Hóa land. Having grown up, she was beautiful, gentle and decent so she was recommended by Ngoc Duong, Mac Canh Huông's wife (the aunt of Lord Nguyên Phúc Nguyên) to be a concubine of Lord Nguyên Phúc Nguyên (Lord Nguên Hoàng's son).

Lord Sai had many wives but Lady mac Thi Giai was beloved much. He had changed her name Mac into Nguyên.

She had many children with Lord Sai; among them, there were 2 daughters whose lives, up to now, still were legends: Ngoc Vân Princess married Cambodian King Chey Chetta II and Princess Ngoc Khoa married a Japanese businessman (there was also a legend that she married Cambodian King Po Rome). (p.16)

1.8 Lady ƉOÀN QUÍ PHI Mausoleum - Lord Nguyên Phúc Tân's Mother

GO COC-CHIEM SON HAMLET - DUY TRINH VILLAGE - DUY XUYEN DISTRICT - QUANG NAM PROVINCE

This is an ancient mausoleum (17th century) of the Nguyên dynasty in Quang Nam province and the South VN [Vietnam].

The precinct of the mausoleum is enclosed by a black-gray wall of 2 m height. Inside, the tomb stone is brick red that enhance the ancient expression of the mausoleum.

Lady Ɖoàn Quí Phi's mausoleum is located at the foot of a mountain, look into a rice field and it is surrounded by deserted and quiet forests. The scenery is poetic and calm.

Lady Ɖoàn Quí Phi (601-1630) whose real name was Ɖoàn Thi Ngoc, the daughter of Mr. Ɖoàn Công Nhan whose hometown was in Diên Phuoc district, Quang Nam province (later, he was nominated as duke).

According to the book "Ɖai Nam Liêt Truyên Tiên Biên (Book I), when young, Lord Nguyën Phúc Lan lived with his father, Thuy Quân Công (Duke) in Thanh Chiêm residence in Quang Nam Province. In a full moon night, he took a boat trip on the Thu Bôn river and heard a girl's singing from a mulberry patch. Transfixed with her voice, the Lord urged his dragon boat skirting the river to seek the singer and met a
Ɖoàn peasant girl. He was attracted by her gentle and plain appearance; later on, he had her fetched into the royal palace.

She had three children of which Lord Nguyên Phúc Tân (or Lord Hiên) was the successor of his father. She died in Canh Ngo lunar year (1630) at the age of 29. In 1648, Lord Nguyên Phúc Tân ascended the throne, nominated his mother as "Trinh Thuc Tù Tinh Duê Phi".

In 1806, in the 5th Gia Long dynasty, she was nominated as "Trinh Thuc Tù Tinh Mân Duê Kinh" or "Hiêu Chiêu Empress" and her mausoleum was named Vinh Diên (p.18).

1.9 LONG ƉÂU SON (mountain) - [a son is the personification of a bright star]

QUANG NGAI PROVINCE

Long Dâu Son (Mountain) is related to the legend of Nam Chêu King of Cô Tô land. According to the story, there was a poor country girl named Thiêu Khôi who had a dream that deity Kim Long entered her, then she was pregnant and gave birth to a nice boy, named Chiêu. They had a very happy life together.

At that time, Cao Biên, a mandarin of the Tang dynasty (China), saw by astrology that in the southern Giao Chi region, there was a star who had just been born. He was sent by the Tang Emperor to Giao Chi land in order to destroy this misfortune.

One day, he met Lady Thiêu Khôi and her son Chiêu in Châu Rí region - the child was the personification of the bright star. Cao Biên proposed the child to be his adoptive son with the plot to annex Giao Chi land for long term. When Chiêu became a strong young man, he perceived his adoptive father's plot; so gathered young men to raise troops and fight against Cao Biên. The battle lasted over one year and Chiêu's troops won greatly. He once proclaimed himself Nam Chiêu King, but his armed forces were inadequate, his troops defeated and he died on the battlefield. His mother mourned over her dead son, she got sick and passed away. She carried the regret of a peaceful country with her (p.20).

1.10 BÀ VÚ's Mausoleum [for war lady Bà Vú - inscriptions of King Gia Long, carved images of legends on the walls]

MY HIEP HAMLET - NINH HOA TOWNLET - KNANH HOA PROVINCE

Ba Vu's mausoleum is on the National Road No. 1, about 30 km distant from Nha Trang in the North at My Hiêp hamlet.

The length of the mausoleum is 20 m, the width 12 m; the tomb is surrounded by two walls; the exterior has the height of 1 m 50 and the interior of 1 m. Inside is the tomb with the monumental inscription with awarded words of King Gia Long, especially on the inner wall is sculptured skillfully and harmoniously the carved images of the ancient legends such as: Ngu Tiêu Canh Muc, Nhi Thâp Tú Hiêu.

Bà Vú was a rich [woman] farmer who contributed all her properties to helping Nguyên Ánh and his army when they were in the worst situation in escaping to the South. When King Gia Long recovered his position and came to the throne, Bà Vú passed away, but the king did not forget her past favor to him. To commemorate her, he appointed her as Nhu Mâu (wet-nurse) or Bà Vú, at the same time, he ordered the best workers of the dynasty to build her mausoleum. The King also delivered land to the local authorities getting harvest for making offering to her. Every year, the ceremony for her memorial was on the 12th day of the first lunar month, Khánh Hòa province chief had to lead the ceremony by himself (p.22).

<< >>