The heroic spirit of Nguyen Trung Truc lives on forever with his homeland and country.

The Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) performance portrays the heroic spirit of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc.

Nguyen Trung Truc, whose real name was Nguyen Van Lich, also known as Quan Chon or Quan Lich, was respectfully called "Grandfather Nguyen" by the people. He was born in 1838 in Binh Nhat, Cuu An district, Tan An prefecture, into a fishing family. When the French colonialists launched their invasion of Vietnam, Nguyen Trung Truc rose up to participate in the resistance, gathering insurgents and becoming one of the prominent leaders of the anti-French movement in Southern Vietnam in the latter half of the 19th century.

From the land of Tan An, Nguyen Trung Truc and his troops fought fiercely against the French army to protect their homeland. His name is especially associated with two resounding victories: burning the warship Espérance at Nhat Tao estuary and ambushing the Kien Giang fort at Rach Gia . These victories not only inflicted losses on the French army but also strongly encouraged the resistance spirit of the people of Southern Vietnam during a time when the country faced severe challenges.

After battles that struck fear into the hearts of the French, Nguyen Trung Truc continued to build up his forces and expand his resistance activities in the Southwestern region of Vietnam. Facing increasingly fierce repression from the French colonialists, the resistance fighters encountered many difficulties, but he remained unyielding. When captured, the French brought him to Saigon for interrogation, using various methods of bribery and enticement with titles and money, but none could shake the resolve of the resistance leader.

On October 27, 1868, the French colonialists brought Nguyen Trung Truc to Rach Gia for execution. He was only 30 years old at the time. Before his sacrifice, he remained steadfast, leaving behind an immortal declaration: "Only when the Westerners have uprooted all the grass in Vietnam will the Vietnamese stop fighting the Westerners." These words transcended the boundaries of a historical moment, becoming a symbol of the indomitable will, the aspiration for independence, and the unwavering spirit of the Vietnamese people.

The sacrifice of Nguyen Trung Truc strongly encouraged the Vietnamese people's spirit of resistance against foreign invaders. In the people's consciousness, Mr. Nguyen is not only a leader of the resistance army, but also a symbol of loyalty and self-sacrifice for the country. Many temples and shrines dedicated to Nguyen Trung Truc have been established in the Southern provinces; among them, the Nguyen Trung Truc Tomb and Temple in Rach Gia has long become a special cultural, historical, and spiritual landmark for the people.

Every year, An Giang province organizes the traditional festival honoring national hero Nguyen Trung Truc with many meaningful activities.

Every year, on the 26th, 27th, and 28th of the 8th lunar month, people from many provinces and cities come to Rach Gia to offer incense and commemorate Mr. Nguyen Trung Truc. The Nguyen Trung Truc Temple Festival in Rach Gia was included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2023. Therefore, the festival space is not only a place to pay tribute to a national hero, but also a place to pass on historical memories, nurture the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," and strengthen community bonds.

In 2026, the traditional festival commemorating the 158th anniversary of the sacrifice of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc (1868-2026) will take place from October 6-8 (corresponding to the 26th and 28th of the 8th lunar month) in Rach Gia ward. The festival will include a ceremony of lighting incense at the monument marking the place where Nguyen Trung Truc was executed by the French colonialists; an incense offering ceremony at the Nguyen Trung Truc Temple and the Nguyen Trung Truc Monument Park; traditional rituals; and many cultural, artistic, and sporting activities, as well as the introduction of local products.

From a memorial ceremony formed in the hearts of the people, through many generations, the commemoration of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc has become a distinctive cultural feature of the Southern region of Vietnam. What is particularly valuable is that the festival retains a strong sense of community, with people voluntarily contributing their efforts to serve pilgrims. This collective effort demonstrates that the reverence for Mr. Nguyen is not limited to solemn rituals, but has become a natural and enduring sentiment in the lives of the people.

The life and spirit of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc have become an integral part of the soul of Southern Vietnam, a lasting spiritual value of the nation. Paying tribute to Mr. Nguyen is also a way of continuing the spirit of patriotism, unity, and resilience; transforming pride in tradition into practical will and action in building a more developed An Giang, contributing to the building and firm protection of the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.

Viet Cuong