On October 5, in Can Tho City, author and researcher of Southern culture Nham Hung organized a book launch event for “Turban Culture” (Literature Publishing House).
Author Nham Hung is known for many years of research and writing about the history, land, culture, and people of the Mekong Delta. To date, author Nham Hung has published more than 30 books.
The book “Turban Culture” consists of 160 pages, with an overview of the journey of the scarf, which used to be an “inseparable item” of the Southern people. The book has 3 main parts: Turban, the old roads; Turban in cultural and tourism activities; Journalism and love for Turban.
Explaining why he chose the checkered scarf as the subject of a research project, compiled and written into a book, author Nham Hung said that the checkered scarf, although small, has great cultural significance, because the journey of the checkered scarf has existed for hundreds of years.
“From wartime to peacetime, the checkered scarf has been closely associated with the lives of the people of the South, absorbing sweat, tears and even blood... Entering modern life, along with the Ao Ba Ba, the checkered scarf is continuing on a new path on fashion runways and beauty contests,” said composer Nham Hung.
In particular, the checkered scarf is used by all four ethnic groups Kinh, Cham, Khmer, and Chinese in the Mekong Delta. The checkered scarf has established a solid position, integrating into the tourism space of the Mekong Delta gardens and rivers.
“The biggest reason that compelled me to write this book is because of my love for Southern culture, including the culture of the checkered scarf,” the author said emotionally.
Sharing at the book launch, Dr. Tran Huu Hiep - Vice President of the Mekong Delta Tourism Association - expressed his appreciation that author Nham Hung, despite being 75 years old, is still diligently researching, writing and regularly publishing 2 books each year.
Through this, Dr. Hiep read two verses dedicated to the author: “75, don’t think you’re old/ Nham Hung - the composer is still in his prime”. At the same time, Dr. Hiep said he is waiting for new works, new connections from the culture of the scarf in the future.
Mr. Nguyen Khanh Tung - Director of Institute of Socio-Economics of Can Tho City - said that the research activities of Author Nham Hung are both theoretical and highly practical, especially the boundless creativity towards preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Mekong Delta, especially Can Tho.
“Through this book, I hope author Nham Hung can go to universities and colleges to talk with students about his works, helping them gain more knowledge about Southern culture during their studies,” Mr. Tung expressed.
