Nguyễn Trãi

 

• Nguyễn Trãi (1380-1442) - a great politician, strategist, diplomat, poet - was born in Thăng Long, and his paternal village located in Nhị Khê (Thường Tín - Hà Tây). His mother was the daughter of Trần Nguyên Đán (a high-ranking mandarin of Nhà Trần). His father was Nguyễn Phi Khanh who had graduated as doctor. At the age of 20, Nguyễn Trãi also graduated as doctor and served in the Hồ dynasty like his father. On the occurence of the Chinese invasion, Nguyễn Phi Khanh was captured and marched off to China. Nguyễn Trãi was kept under surveillance in Đông Quan (Thăng Long). Later, he fled in Lam Sơn to follow Lê Lợi (future Lê Thái Tổ), submitted Bình Ngô Sách (strategies of the people's war against the Ming invasion). After the enemy had been completely expelled, Nguyễn Trãi did his best to help Lê Lợi in the national reconstruction. In 1442, because of dishonest mandarins' great harm, Nguyễn Trãi and all his three related families were exterminated. His famous works were Bình Ngô Đại Cáo, Quân Trung Từ Mệnh Tập, Quốc Âm Thi Tập...