On the evening of December 18, Prof. Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Kinh and his son - Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Cuong expressed their emotions when the representative of the "Hoang Dao" family presented 14 precious books to the National Library of Vietnam.
14 books on various topics and research topics, including many valuable books, rich in cultural and historical documents and architecture such as: Vietnamese history of the New International treaty (Hoang Dao Thanh), What the country does in the South (Hoang Dao Thuy), Teacher's craft (Hoang Dao Thuy), Old Hanoi Ward (Hoang Dao Thuy), elegant Hanoi (Hoang Dao Thuy), Architecture Culture (Hoang Dao Kinh), Conservation of relics and cultural heritage (Hoang Dao Kinh), Theater architecture (Hoang Dao Cung), City and House (Hoang Dao Cung), Conservation and collection of wooden architectural relics (Hoang Dao Cuong)...
Also at the ceremony, the book "Viet Su Noi Thuong An Gian" by historist Hoang Dao Thanh, along with the book "Conservation and restoration of wooden architectural relics" by Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Cuong, was first launched. These two books are contributed together in 14 "Hoang Dao" family books donated to the National Library of Vietnam.
Hoang Dao Thanh is a famous historical figure in Vietnamese history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is a patriotic playboy who works in the Duy Tan movement and is also the father of cultural artist Hoang Dao Thuy.
Hoang Dao Thuy is a vibrant revolutionary activist and a major cultural figure. His life is described as very special because he participated in many fields and in every field he left a strong impression. He himself summarized his life, "Teaching for 28 years, being a Guidance teacher for 15 years, being in the army for 20 years... lifelong patriotic. No matter what you do, you are patriotic. From teaching, being a Guidance, joining the army, working at the Ethnic School, for patriotism. Even when I took a pen to write, I was for that purpose."
He held many leadership positions while working, until retirement, he spent 30 years writing books on many different topics from education, society, politics, military, history, culture... Especially works in the field of research on Hanoi's cultural history.
Cultural artist Hoang Dao Thuy is the father-in-law of Professor Ta Quang Buu, the father of Prof. Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Kinh, and the grandfather of Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Cuong (currently Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
Speaking on the evening of December 18, Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Cuong emotionally said, When I was a child, I often saw my grandfather sitting and writing, looking up, and sticking the pieces of paper to the book, for many weeks.
Every Saturday and Sunday when I visit him, I see him so tirelessly. And a few years later, my grandfather published the book "Our Land" - a very massive book about all localities across the country, including a lot of information and research on geographical location, area, climate characteristics, customs, historical traditions, and culture of each region.
His image has affected me a lot. When I grew up, I saw my father and uncle publishing many books. That makes me always want to be able to write books when conditions allow me.
Talking about the book launched on the evening of December 18, "Conservation and restoration of wooden architectural relics", according to Dr. Architect Hoang Dao Cuong, while working at the Monument Conservation Institute, he had the opportunity to travel to many places, have practical contact with many ancient architectural works of Vietnam, and gain a lot of experience.
To me, ancient architectural works in Vietnam are very precious. Even when compared to the massive architectural works of Rome and Greece, the ancient architectural works of our ancestors still have their own unique value. And, the quintessence of ancient architecture in Vietnam is concentrated in wooden architecture. I write this book with the desire, we understand more about our ancestors, hope to keep the works at least on the book, hoping that science will preserve and restore the wooden architecture to preserve the assets of our ancestors, and pass on to future generations".
The book The complete modern history of the Vietnamese dream by historical author Hoang Dao Thanh is a valuable research book, written about historical periods in Vietnam from the Hung Vuong, An Duong Vuong, the Trieu Dynasty, the Han Dynasty, the Tien Ly Nam De... to the Tay Son Dynasty.
Discussing this book, historical scholar Duong Trung Quoc said, I highly appreciate this book. The word "new covenant" in the title, in my opinion, can be understood as a request, to re-establish the relationship between people today and the past. The past needs to be respected, but that is not exempted from consideration.
Kings, dynasties or specific historical periods need to be viewed in context of the consequences that that dynasty, that period left for society. Rewriting history in reality is not too difficult, it is possible to supplement documents, adjust assessments, or even change the presentation, but rewriting historical thinking is much more difficult. That requires calmness, honesty, and the courage to look straight at things that are not very comfortable.
I highly appreciate Hoang Dao Thanh as the one who accepts making history less beautiful so that readers have the opportunity to understand more deeply. He does not deny the past but does not know that the past becomes intangible.
