Culture – Experience: When mentioning An Tho Citadel – Phu Yen, people often remember a peaceful land by the Ky Lo River, a place with the idyllic beauty of the South Central Coast. But not only with poetic nature, An Tho is also the hometown of the first General Secretary of Vietnam – Tran Phu, one of the people who laid the ideological foundation for the revolutionary path of the nation.
Ancient citadel in the heart of the countryside
An Tho citadel is located in An Dan commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province. In the early 19th century, this place used to be an important military citadel under the Nguyen Dynasty. Although now only old vestiges and mossy walls remain, the memory of a time guarding this strategic land is still present in every stone and every row of trees.
Local people still call this “ancient citadel”, not only to remind of history, but also as a way to preserve the soul of the homeland.
The Birthplace of a Leader
In that land, in 1904, a boy was born into a family of patriotic scholars – that was Tran Phu. His childhood was closely linked to the An Tho fields, to the simple thatched roof and the strict teachings of his father – Mr. Tran Van Pho.
It was from this “barren and rocky land” that Tran Phu soon formed a love of learning and the will to overcome circumstances. That was the first foundation to nurture a great intelligence and a heart that ached for the fate of the nation.
Tran Phu – an indelible mark
As the first General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tran Phu not only played an organizational role but also left many ideological marks. The “Political Platform” he drafted in 1930 was an important document that outlined the proletarian revolutionary path that the Party chose.
He was captured by the French colonialists and died in 1931 at the age of 27. But in that short period of time, Tran Phu lived a brilliant life, dedicating all his intelligence and life to the ideal of national independence.
Traces left in time
Today, in the An Tho Citadel relic site, the wooden house where Tran Phu was born and raised is still preserved. The three-room house has a simple tiled roof, wooden pillars, and a rustic ground floor – all of which evoke the image of a peaceful countryside, where great aspirations were nurtured.
Visitors come here not only to visit a relic, but also to feel the revolutionary spirit permeating every corner of the house, every pillar, every story told.
A Destination – A Reminder
An Tho Citadel is not as noisy and bustling as other famous tourist destinations. But it is this quietness that makes this place a thoughtful stop for those who want to learn about the historical roots of the nation.
From the peaceful land of Phu Yen, Tran Phu was born, and then entered history as a young, brave, and steadfast leader. And from there, his words still echo: “Keep your fighting spirit” not only for wartime, but also as a message for generations living in peace today.
