HÀ NỘI — The Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH) will organise an excursion to the birthplace of famous Vietnamese poet Nguyễn Khuyến on Sunday, October 28.

The day trip will be to Vị Hạ Village, Yên Đổ Commune (now known as Trung Lương Commune) in Hà Nam Province, about 65km from Hà Nội.

Nguyễn Khuyến, born Nguyễn Thắng, was also a famous Confucian scholar and teacher in the 19th century. He was both a prominent lyrical poet and an outstanding satirical poet. He reached the pinnacle of Nôm literature. He was the first Vietnamese poet to put realism into classical poems.

Among his best poems are a collection of three poems about autumn – Thu Vịnh (Versing on Autumn), Thu Điếu (Fishing in Autumn), Thu Ẩm (Drinking in Autumn), which express sadness and loneliness, and Vịnh Tiến Sĩ Giấy (Versing on ‘Paper Doctor’), which ridicules incapable scholars. In addition, he was one of a few upper-class poets who wrote in praise of poor farmers.

The trip will take tourists to visit his family home which is now a fascinating ‘life’ museum in his honour, cared for by an old family member. It is a beautiful old wooden house which tells the story of his life and is a great way to understand more about the history and society of Việt Nam at that time. The house is set in a tranquil environment with gardens and a pond.

The trip will also include a visit to the village communal house. After lunch, the group will visit Phủ Giầy Temple in Nam Định, dedicated to Holy Mother Liễu Hạnh.

The excursion will start at 8.30am and end at about 6.30pm. Cost VNĐ330,000/person. — VNS