Author ORCID Identifier:

https://orcid.org/010853796

Date of Graduation

12-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies (PhD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies

Advisor/Mentor

Cochran, Robert

Committee Member

Restrepo, Luis

Second Committee Member

Spencer, Susan

Keywords

Collective Memories; Estuarine Deity; National Savior; Red River Delta; Triệu Việt Vương; Vietnam

Abstract

In my dissertation, the theory of collective memory will be deployed to address many questions regarding retaining, recovering, and re-creating the worship of King Triệu Việt Vương. He was a legendary, historical king of Vietnam who supposedly lived in the 6th century. His achievements were connected to the people living in the Red River Delta in their fight against the Liang invasion. The villagers who lived near or in this area also honored him for his spiritual power. They built a small temple/ shrine right by the riverbank to worship this King. The Vietnamese dynasties, Ly (in the 11th century), Tran (12th-15th century), Le (15th-19th century), Nguyen (19th century-1945), gradually honored King Triệu as the most powerful deity. The complex of the cult of Triệu Việt Vương worship includes both tangible (a system of shrines, temples, and sacred objects) and intangible heritages (legends, traditional festivals, and folk songs in honor of King Triệu). Studying the cult of Triệu Việt Vương worship will shed light on how memories are made through participation in various religious activities. I approach the legendary and national hero as a character in dramatic spectacles. The portrayal of King Trieu might be a series of deliberate artistic creations made by both regular people and by state officials. His transformation from a historical figure into a revered deity reflects the intricate interplay between collective memory, cultural identity, and societal needs within Vietnamese communities over time. This evolution of memory serves various purposes and undergoes continuous adaptation to suit the changing socio-political landscape. In my dissertation, I am investigating how Triệu Việt Vương's memory has been reconstructed and rehabilitated, and why it has served as a heroic figure worthy of deification. In short, the memory of Triệu Việt Vương is a dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon shaped by collective memory, cultural dynamics, and political exigencies. Through continuous adaptation and reinterpretation, his memory serves diverse purposes, ranging from fostering national identity to legitimizing political authority. By examining the evolution of Triệu Việt Vương 's memory, we gain valuable insights into the historical realities and cultural transformations of Vietnamese society across different epochs.

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