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| Photographers nationwide made a pilgrimage to the Dang family’s ancestral temple site in Thanh Luong Village |
A luminary’s love for his homeland
Hue is proud to be the birthplace and childhood home of the renowned cultural figure Dang Huy Tru. Several villages continue to bear the imprint of his life and legacy: Thanh Luong Village (Huong Tra Town), where he was born; Hien Si Village (Phong Dien Town), his ancestral homeland and the site of his family temple and tomb—both recognized as national historical sites by the Ministry of Culture and Information; and Luu Bao Village (Phu Xuan District), his wife’s native village.
Villages such as An Nong (Phu Loc District), Uu Diem, and My Xuyen (Phong Dien Town) were once home to classes taught by Dang Huy Tru. Bac Vong Village (Quang Dien District) still preserves a ceremonial bell from its Văn Thánh Temple. In addition, a street in Hue (Truong An Ward, Thuan Hoa District) is named after Dang Huy Tru, and a school in Huong Tra Town also bears his name: Dang Huy Tru Senior Secondary School.
Dang Huy Tru, one of the great poets of the 19th century, was a realist whose works reflected the lives of humble farmers, craftsmen, and common folk. His poetry accompanied him throughout his life—as a student, teacher, successful examinee, mandarin, and diplomatic envoy. He composed many verses about Hue’s traditional craft villages. To this day, his poems are still preserved and passed down in various localities across Hue, and they have laid the cultural foundation for creating new artisanal products.
In 1869, Dang Huy Tru imported photographic equipment from Hong Kong (China) and established Cam Hieu Duong, the first photography studio in Vietnam, on Thanh Ha Street in Hanoi. This marked the beginning of the country’s photographic history, with Dang Huy Tru honored as the founding father of Vietnamese photography. His ambition went beyond Hanoi; he envisioned expanding photography nationwide, starting with Hue.
Tradition carried on
Photographer Tran Thi Thu Dong, Chair of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, affirmed: “We can learn a great deal from the legacy of Dang Huy Tru, above all his spirit of innovation and reform. Photography must stay rooted in real life, with a mission to serve the nation and the people.” She also urged local authorities to invest in proper planning and restoration of the Dang Huy Tru temple site, so that it may stand partly as a place of worship and partly as a significant cultural and tourist landmark—befitting the birthplace of Vietnamese photography.
Luu Quang Pho, photographer and Deputy Head of the Theory and Criticism Section of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, proposed a noteworthy idea: to shape Hue into a City of Photography. Hue, he argued, possesses all the essential attributes: it is the birthplace of Dang Huy Tru, the patriarch of Vietnamese photography; it is home to the University of Arts, a key institution found in many photography cities worldwide; and it is internationally renowned for its Hue Festivals.
The successful organization of an international photography festival in Hue in 2023 marked a rare but significant step in Vietnam, though such festivals are common in photography cities worldwide. What sets Hue further apart is its vibrant and experienced photography community, with the Hue Chapter of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists and the Hue Photography Association serving as key pillars of Vietnamese photography.
The legacy of Dang Huy Tru continues to inspire generations of students at the senior secondary school that bears his name. According to Principal Hoang Phon, the school holds annual extracurricular programs that honor his life and contributions — including storytelling contests, incense-offering ceremonies, and volunteer work to preserve his family temple and tomb.
Many generations of teachers and students from the school have become leaders, scientists, cultural scholars, economists, military officers, soldiers, and skilled workers across a wide range of fields. Their contributions to the nation add luster to the proud tradition of Dang Huy Tru Senior Secondary School.