UNESCO to honor poets Ho Xuan Huong, Nguyen Dinh Chieu

The list was approved at the U.N. agency's General Assembly held from November 9 to 24 in Paris, France, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release Friday.

Ho Xuan Huong will be commemorated during her 250th birth and 200th death anniversaries and Nguyen Dinh Chieu during his 200th birth anniversary.

Ho Xuan Huong (1772–1822), one of Vietnam's most famous poets and known as ‘The Queen of Nom Poetry,’ was renowned for her new ideas, unconventional style and simple but evocative use of words.

Besides, her poems exude optimism and promote gender equality and fought for the liberation of women in Vietnam.

Nguyen Dinh Chieu (1822-1888) was not only a great poet but also a cultural celebrity and a researcher in traditional medicine.

His poems convey humanity, encourage patriotism and eulogize people who work for the benefit of the community.

Among his works, the most famous is ‘Luc Van Tien,’ an ode to moral and traditional values.

Ton Thanh Temple in Long An Province is at the site where Nguyen Dinh Chieu lived in 1859-61. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

"The passing of a resolution to commemorate the birth and death anniversaries of Nguyen Dinh Chieu and Ho Xuan Huong affirms the international appreciation for Vietnam's cultural and educational values," the ministry release said.

UNESCO has also honored President Ho Chi Minh, scholar, politician and strategist Nguyen Trai, poet Nguyen Du, and educator Chu Van An.