Famous person Dao Tan was born in 1845 (At Ty), full name is Dao Dang Tan, courtesy name is Chi Thuc, nickname is To Giang, Mai Tang, Mong Mai. He is from Vinh Thanh village (now Phuoc Loc commune), Tuy Phuoc district (Binh Dinh).
He was a descendant of Loc Khe Marquis Dao Duy Tu (1572–1634), a famous person under the Nguyen Lords, who established a career in Dang Trong in the early 17th century. His father was Dao Duc Ngac, his mother was Ha Thi Loan.
In 1867 (the 20th year of Tu Duc), Dao Tan passed the bachelor's exam.
During his career as an official, Dao Tan was twice appointed Governor of An Tinh (Nghe An - Ha Tinh) in 1889 and 1898.
Dao Tan was a model of integrity and exemplary conduct. He was awarded the titles “thanh, than, can” (clean, careful, diligent) and “bat uy cuong ngu” (not afraid of the king's power) by King Tu Duc.
In 1904, Dao Tan retired, at the age of 60. After retirement, Dao Tan devoted himself to the art of hat boi, raising a troupe; establishing the “Ho Bo Dinh Vinh Thanh” (School of Drama) to train and nurture talented students to make hat boi famous in his hometown of Tuy Phuoc, Binh Dinh.
In 2023, Can Loc district (Ha Tinh) coordinated with Tuy Phuoc district, Binh Dinh province (twinning unit with Can Loc district) to organize a ceremony to place a statue of famous person Dao Tan at Tuy Phuoc park (Nghen town).
The statue of celebrity Dao Tan was made by sculptor Nguyen Hong Ngoc (a native of Ha Tinh) - a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association and presented to his hometown Can Loc.
The statue is 2.1m high, weighs 300kg, and is made of Thanh Hoa green stone.
The fact that the famous person Dao Tan has a solemn statue erected in the center of Can Loc district has many meanings.
Tuy Phuoc Park is a project donated by Tuy Phuoc district (Binh Dinh) to Can Loc district. The two districts have had a long-standing relationship.
During his time as an official, although he did not directly participate in the resistance war against the French, he strongly supported the patriotic movements of the scholars and people of Nghe Tinh, especially those of Phan Boi Chau and Phan Dinh Phung.
To the people of Can Loc, Mr. Dao Tan is also grateful for his important role in restoring Huong Tich Pagoda. In 1901, after decades of being burned and abandoned, Huong Tich Pagoda was called upon by Mr. Dao Tan - then Governor of An Tinh - to donate to restore it to its current architecture.
From the great contributions of Mr. Dao Tan to the culture and art of Tuong as well as his feelings and actions for the people of Nghe Tinh, the fact that Can Loc district erected his statue in Tuy Phuoc park not only shows gratitude but is also a way for future generations to remember the contributions of a famous person who has contributed to the homeland and country.
