Nguyen Trai

People in the world always have heroes in their life. But some people have a big hero and some people have a small hero. The hero is not always famous. My hero, Nguyen Trai, is famous because he protected Viet Nam from the Chinese enemy.

Nguyen Trai’s nickname is Ut Trai, and he was from Viet Nam. Nguyen Trai was born in 1380 in Nhi Khe village in the present day Ha Dong in North Viet Nam. His father's name was Nguyen Ung Long and his mother's name was Tran Thi Khai. His mom died when he was five years old. After that he went to live with grandfather on his mom’s side. In 1400 he was 20 years old. He received a master’s degree from the postgraduate examination established by King Ho. (Ho Qui Ly)

Trai joined a rebel leader named Le Loi in North Viet Nam. He served as chief advisor, strategist and propagandist of the government. Nguyen Trai set down Vietnamese strategy against the Chinese in an essay. He was also a poet. Trai wrote many poems. He wanted to undermine the enemy and negotiate a favorable peace by sending many letters to Minh commander, the King of China.

In 1406 the Chinese King invaded Viet Nam. Trai’s father was among the war prisoners. He wanted to go and look for his father, but his father wished him to serve his country. Trai had joined a rebel leader named Le Loi in North Viet Nam. After Le Loi defeated the Chinese and became the King, he used name of Le Thai Tong. Le Thai Tong came to visit Trai’s family in their house, and the King died mysteriously. Trai was accused of poisoning the King, and he and his whole family were beheaded. Twenty years later, the King Le Thanh Tong officially pardoned Nguyen Trai saying that he was innocent in the death of King Le Thai Tong.

I think Nguyen Trai is my hero because he was a patriot. He was a loyal person to the king and country. He fought for freedom of Vietnamese people. He protected Viet Nam against the Chinese invasion. He was a great poet of my country. He used poems to fight the Chinese because he didn’t want a big army and many people dying.