Do Nhan (1474 - 1518)

In Lai Oc village (currently Long Hung commune, Van Giang district), it remains “Temple of the First Doctoral Candidate”. Local people are proud of their only first doctoral candidate despite of the fact that the temple has been destroyed by wars.

In fact, Lai Oc village worships another Second Doctoral Candidate and a Doctor. They were all the father and sons of a family. The father’s name was Do Nhan, whose pseudonym was Nghia Son. He was born in 1474 and died in 1518. In 1493, he won the title of Second Doctoral Candidate at the age of 20. He became a mandarin in different positions and carried out many important duties, including going on a diplomatic mission to China.

He was an upright man who could express his ideas frankly and did not fear power. In 1518, a usurper, called Tran Chan, was killed by the King. Tran Chan’s followers, led by Nguyen Kinh, were about to attack Thang Long capital. Quang Thieu King had to quit to Bo De base in Gia Lam at night and went on to Duong Quang (now belonging to Gia Lam district) in the following morning. The King called back Mac Dang Dung, who was then in Hai Phong, to put down the revolt. Mac Dang Dung forced the King to leave Duong Quang for Bo De. The King had to do as requested. Then he again forced the King to go to Bao Chau (currently Tu Lien commune, Tu Liem district, Hanoi). As it was too dangerous because the journey involved crossing the Red River, which was next to the capital under the control of the rebels, Do Nhan and Nguyen Du made every effort to advise against this plan. Therefore, Mac Dang Dung secretly ordered his henchman to kill them.

Afterwards, Dung thought that the killing of Do Nhan and Nguyen Du was pitiless, he asked the King to offer sacrifices for these two people. 

Later, Do Tong and Do Tan, sons of Do Nhan, worked as high-level mandarins under the Mac dynasty.

Do Tong was born in 1504. At the age of 26, he participated in a royal court competition (in 1529) and won the Doctoral title. The Temple of the First Doctoral Candidate in Lai Oc village was devoted to Do Tong. He held high-level positions such as Dong Cac academician.

Do Tan, Do Tong’s younger brother and the youngest son of Do Nhan, was born in 1514. At the age of 22, he won the Third Doctoral Candidate title and then held many mandarin positions such as Thuong Thu Bo Le (Minister of Rites), Dong Cac academician, and Tran duke. He died in a battle.

Then, the descendants set up a temple for worshipping them. Every year, local people express their respect to these talents of village in spring and autumn ceremonies. People of neighboring villages such as Dan Nhiem and Da Nguu also participate in these ceremonies.