Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac (1724-1791) was a great physician - great writer - outstanding cultural figure of the nation and Ha Tinh. He left to posterity a huge cultural heritage, with profound and lasting values ​​in many aspects, basically collected in the book "Hai Thuong y tong tam linh" - a massive work, written mainly in Chinese characters, consisting of 28 volumes/66 books.

Statue of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac located on Minh Tu hill (Son Trung commune, Huong Son).

“Hai Thuong Y Tong Tam Linh” not only mentions and discusses most of the issues of medicine but also many contents in other fields... All are connected and unified with each other, showing that Le Huu Trac has a whole system of correct and progressive ideology with the core being for life, for human destiny. The great cultural stature of the “Tam vi nhat the” style (3 “houses” in one “house”, 3 types of activities in one “management” subject, 3 objects in a shared relationship) in Le Huu Trac is increasingly evident, shining, with vitality beyond space and time.

"Three in one", unique style of Hai Thuong Lan Ong

1. Three qualities in one personality for human life and perfection

First of all, as a physician, Le Huu Trac possesses all the outstanding qualities of a great physician, from his concept of the medical profession to his preparation of capital and professional capacity. In all five aspects of medical ethics, medical theory, medical skills, pharmacy, and health care, there are few cases that cover them as comprehensively as Le Huu Trac. There is absolutely a basis to compare Le Huu Trac with the famous great physicians of pre-modern times in the world (Sun Simiao, Li Shizhen/China; Hippocrates - the "father" of medicine and the greatest physician in ancient Greek history...).

As a teacher, Le Huu Trac was attentive in all three aspects: teaching, providing learning materials, and testing/assessment. He taught both directly and through documents that he “collected hundreds of books and compiled them into one volume” to provide to his students. He taught his students how to learn, how to approach problems proactively, knowing how to reflect, explore, create, and combine learning with practice. Many generations of physicians who learned from him through documents honored him as their master; even at that time, some people painted and worshiped him alive.

As a writer, Le Huu Trac left behind a considerable amount of poetry and prose, in both Chinese and Nom scripts, in many different genres. In particular, “Thuong Kinh Ky Su” - the last volume of the “Hai Thuong Y Tong Tam Linh” series, has put Le Huu Trac on the list of great writers of Vietnamese literature. “Thuong Kinh Ky Su” faithfully recreates the realistic picture of feudal society in Vietnam in the second half of the 18th century with many sharp colors. Here, in addition to the image of the real world, there is the image of an authorial ego who is sensitive to the times, both in the role of a physician and in the role of a language artist, all for the sake of human destiny. Thuong Kinh Ky Su “is not only the pinnacle, the perfection of the Vietnamese medieval memoir, but also the standard for later memoir writing” (Nguyen Dang Na)...

Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac Church in his mother's hometown Quang Diem (Huong Son).

2. Three types of activities under the strict control of an administrative entity

In medical practice, Le Huu Trac has created three in one comprehensive structure: he is both a theorist (including medical ethics, medical theory, medical techniques, pharmacy and health care), a practitioner (directly examining and treating patients; directly inventing; directly using medicines to treat patients) and at the same time a tester of both his theory and practice. In each aspect, he has effectively implemented it.

Le Huu Trac has established a solid theoretical system with lasting value on many essential issues of the medical profession (the origin of medicine; the basic points of oriental medicine; theories of yin and yang, the five elements, internal organs, meridians, qi and blood, diagnosis, pulse, pathology, treatment; the mysteries of yin and yang, water and fire, physiological functions, pathologies of true water and true fire; the essentials of the postnatal spleen and stomach, digestive functions, the effects of qi and blood, pathologies and treatments...).

The famous physician also outlined methods and treatment regimens for many types of diseases (muscle weakness; external diseases; gynecological, obstetric, and pediatric diseases; smallpox, measles, etc.). He also summarized and summarized the most essential principles of diagnosis and treatment, helping generations of physicians of the time and later to learn and apply.

Regarding medicine, Le Huu Trac focused on clarifying three major contents: theories on the role and function of pharmaceuticals and classification of pharmaceuticals; collecting and synthesizing prescriptions and medicinal herbs (from many sources); discovering and compiling new prescriptions and medicinal herbs. The total number of prescriptions and medicinal herbs he collected, supplemented and discovered was 4,598 - a truly admirable number. Regarding health care, Le Huu Trac also paid great attention and proposed specific and easy-to-implement health care methods.

Le Huu Trac's medical theory and techniques are widely applied and promoted in treatment not only domestically but also abroad. Some of his prescriptions (Luc vi, Bat vi...) are produced by traditional medicine production facilities in a modernized direction and are developing strongly. In Vietnam, "Hai Thuong y tong tam linh" is a basic book for teaching expertise and treatment; it is included in the undergraduate and postgraduate programs in schools and academies.

Medical artifacts of the famous physician Le Huu Trac at his shrine in Quang Diem commune.

3. Three objects in a relationship sharing culture and humanity

First of all, with the nation: The national stance is steadfast in Le Huu Trac. He not only protects and preserves but also seeks to create national identity, from culture, literature, aesthetics... to cuisine, especially in medicine. The viewpoint of "Nam Duoc Tri Nam Nhan" (inherited from Tue Tinh) was developed very successfully by Le Huu Trac. Compiling "Hai Thuong Y Tong Tam Linh", he absorbed the achievements of traditional Chinese culture and medicine, but the way of absorption was selective, with criticism and criticism. Along with his own creations, he developed and perfected the theoretical system of medical ethics, medical theory, and medical techniques, first of all to suit and meet the requirements of reality and the Vietnamese people. "The system described in "Hai Thuong Y Tong Tam Linh" has created a unique identity of Vietnamese medicine" (Prof. Mayanagi Makoto - Japan).

For East Asian countries: Le Huu Trac's arguments and interpretations on culture in general and medicine in particular have made an important contribution to activating the relationship and exchange between Vietnam and other countries, helping to strengthen and develop mutual understanding between countries. Through "Hai Thuong Y Tong Tam Linh", medical circles of other countries have learned about Vietnamese medicine with its encounters, similarities and differences, and specific features. Researchers in many different fields in the region are increasingly interested in Le Huu Trac. Truong Tu Dan considered Le Huu Trac a "Medical Saint"; Ly Co Hao and Dieu Khiet Man affirmed that Le Huu Trac "put forth a new theory"...

For the international community/humanity: "Lan Ong's medical ethics has deeply touched the most common needs of people, has lasting value over time and across cultural differences" (Dinh Trung Hoa - Australia).

In the eyes of Western researchers, Le Huu Trac has become a special cultural phenomenon. Yveline Féray (France) wrote the historical novel Lan Ong; Albert Sallet - the first Western scientist to research Le Huu Trac. Up to now, abroad, there have been at least 10 research theses on Le Huu Trac, written in French, German, Swiss, Belgian, American, Chinese... Recently, in medicine, the concept of "Hai Thuong Method" has appeared and has been included in teaching, research and practice activities at many medical facilities in the country and around the world (at Rillieux La Pape - France; at the European Institute of Applied Buddhism - Germany, etc.).

For that reason, on November 21, 2023, in Paris, the 42nd General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) passed a Resolution to honor and participate in the celebration of the world's "Cultural Celebrities and Historical Events" in 2024-2025, including Le Huu Trac of Vietnam ("42C/ General Conference 42e session, Paris 2023: 52. 300th anniversary of the birth of Hai Thuong Lan Ong Le Huu Trac, physician, 1724-1791").

With his great contributions to the culture of the nation, the region and humanity, the famous Le Huu Trac is completely worthy of the best things that UNESCO and humanity have bestowed and hoped for. On the threshold of the new year of Giap Thin, we are proud and eagerly awaiting the special coronation moment of Hai Thuong after 300 years at the international scientific conference and the ceremony to honor and celebrate his birthday (held in November 2024).

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Bien Minh Dien

(Vinh University)