The reason why poet To Huu visited the tomb of great poet Nguyen Du at midnight

To Huu is a revolutionary poet and political activist who had a profound influence on our country's revolution. Reading To Huu's poems, we come across many passages and sentences in which he talks about Nguyen Du and "The Tale of Kieu", the poem "Respectfully sent to Mr. Nguyen Du" written in 1965 is an example.

In early 1966, the poem “Respectfully sent to Mr. Nguyen Du” by poet To Huu was enlarged by Ha Tinh province, framed in glass, dated November 1, 1965, and displayed at the Nguyen Du Exhibition House in Tien Dien commune, Nghi Xuan district (Ha Tinh). The poem attracted attention right from the beginning and since its display, the Exhibition House has received many comments and discussions from visitors.

At the beginning of the poem "Respectfully addressed to Mr. Nguyen Du", poet To Huu wrote: "Last midnight in Nghi Xuan district/I was absent-mindedly thinking about you, feeling sorry for Kieu”. Those two verses have made many people ask: Why did To Huu, such a famous political activist and poet, return to Nghi Xuan and visit Nguyen Du's grave at midnight?

This question was explained by comrade Nguyen Tien Chuong, former Secretary of the Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee, a member of the veteran revolutionary cadres delegation: “In 1965, when the US imperialists escalated the war to the North, comrade To Huu led a delegation of Central cadres to survey the battlefield of Zone 4. The Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee sent cadres to welcome the delegation from Nghe An. On the afternoon of October 30, 1965, US aircraft fiercely bombed the Ben Thuy ferry area. To ensure safety, the Central cadres delegation had to go downstream to the Lam River in Hung Hoa Commune, Vinh City, crossing the river by two ferries. At around 11 pm, the delegation from the North bank of the Lam River arrived at the South bank at Giang Dinh Wharf, Nghi Xuan Town. It was late at night, the delegation followed the liaison route through Tien Dien Commune, the comrades leading the way showed the way, poet To Huu knew that ahead was the tomb of Nguyen Du. Although it was dark and very urgent on the march, poet To Huu still suggested that the delegation stop at offer incense to the great poet's grave before continuing on the journey.

The next morning, before entering the working session with the Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee, poet To Huu finished writing the poem and read it to everyone. The opening verse: “Midnight in Nghi Xuan district"The poet To Huu wrote that is very close to the reality of the trip.