Hà Tiên: A Cultural Chronicle Through The Flow Of Time

Nestled along the tranquil Gulf of Thailand, Hà Tiên is more than a picturesque destination—it is a living archive of culture, resilience, and poetic soul. From its rich multiethnic heritage to the legacy of visionary leaders and scholars, this coastal town embodies a way of life shaped by harmony, history, and a deep reverence for beauty. At Nhà của Rô, every cup of coffee and every postcard becomes a vessel for storytelling, inviting you to feel the timeless spirit of Hà Tiên, still quietly breathing through the present.

The Position of a Trading Port: Mạc Cửu and the Beginning 

Hà Tiên was not formed naturally. It was crafted from the decision of a unique historical figure—Mạc Cửu. Coming from a continental nation engulfed in the flames of a power transition from the Ming to the Qing, Mạc Cửu sought this coastal land with the hope of building a new community. Under a foreign sky, he chose to ally with Lord Nguyễn, not out of surrender, but as a wise alliance.

"In each wave that strikes the shore, we hear the flow of time and decisions through history... Each mud-stained villager, every moored boat, every bustling market adds a note to the symphony of the vibrant trading port...” 

Hà Tiên, a land known by many ancient names such as Mang Khảm, Phương Thành, Trúc Phan, or Đồng Trụ, has experienced significant historical upheavals. Once part of the Kingdom of Funan, later under Chân Lạp and the Khmer Empire, it has been a witness to important geopolitical changes. With its prime location on the old territory of these kingdoms, Hà Tiên is not only a confluence of rich cultures but also a bustling commercial centre thanks to the intersection of waterways and roads. This easy connectivity has made Hà Tiên a key anchorage for traders from around the world, bringing continuous development to the area.

When Mạc Cửu arrived in the late 17th century, he quickly realised the tremendous potential of Hà Tiên. His choice was not merely based on favourable geography but also on a keen awareness of the political changes and economic opportunities that the region offered. With the regional instability, as Xiêm and Chân Lạp continuously engaged in conflict, Mạc Cửu sought the protection of the Nguyễn, a stronger force, to ensure the security and prosperity of Hà Tiên. This alliance was not just a simple agreement; it became a strategic alliance, paving the way for the ongoing development of Hà Tiên in the following century. Handing Hà Tiên over to Lord Nguyễn was not a surrender—it was a politically astute nod. He understood that for civilisation to flourish, a stable home is needed. For a community to exist, there needs to be a protector. This was not only "a strategy for survival," but also evidence of a deeper philosophy: the land developer is not the stronger one, but the one who sees further.

This choice also reflects the farsightedness of the Nguyễn at that time regarding Vietnamese history. The Nguyễn, with a strategic vision, recognised the importance of controlling Hà Tiên as a foothold to expand and protect the southern borders of Đại Việt. This not only consolidated their position in the region but also opened doors to more effective influence and management over the entire South and Southeast Asian seas.

Under the rule of Mạc Cửu, Hà Tiên grew into a bustling trading centre, becoming a meeting point for various cultures. Boats from all over the world brought not only goods but also diverse cultural aspects to Hà Tiên, where people from different cultures had the opportunity to meet, exchange, and learn from each other. This cultural blend created a unique environment in Hà Tiên, where traditions and customs were respected and developed, making it an integral part of Vietnam's history and culture.

The Land of Cultural Confluence 

Hà Tiên, where the cultural currents of Asia and Europe distinctly converge, showcases the richness and diversity of a vibrant trade centre over centuries. The cultural space in Hà Tiên is like a symphony where each culture contributes its unique tones, creating a harmonious and unique historical and traditional dance.

"Every nook and cranny in Hà Tiên is a musical note in the cultural symphony, each piano key resonating with dances of history and tradition."

Hà Tiên can proudly claim to be a place of "multiple sounds," where each ethnic community has created its own unique living space: the Chinese with bustling guild halls, the Vietnamese with sacred temples and pagodas, and the Khmer with their majestic Southern Buddhist pagodas. Cultural influences from France, Portugal, and Malaysia permeate every corner of the port, from tea aromas to clothing styles, even to tile architecture, enriching the face of Hà Tiên.

The miracle of Hà Tiên lies in its parallel existence without assimilation. The Vietnamese preserve their language and traditional folk beliefs, while the Chinese maintain their clan customs and the culture of Han script that has been passed down through generations. The Khmer still cling to their agricultural lifestyle, living by the moral principles of compassion and patience. Instead of blending into one another, the cultures in Hà Tiên have achieved harmony, where each culture has a firm place in the shared home without needing to overshadow each other.

The character of Hà Tiên reflects this uniqueness: gentle, profound, calm, and measured—traits that are rare in today's fast-paced life. When you visit Hà Tiên, you can feel this in every unhurried conversation of the locals, in the rich but not overpowering taste of each cup of tea or coffee, in places like Nhà của Rô, where it seems everything knows exactly how to keep quiet at the right moment. Hà Tiên is not just a location; it is the vibrancy of history, culture, and the spirit of its people.

Poetry – Hà Tiên thập vịnh 

Mạc Thiên Tích, the son of Mạc Cửu, continued his father's legacy not only with military strategies but also through the language of poetry. He believed that the life of a land comes not only from the growth of its flora but also from the soul of its poetry. Understanding that literature is the breath of culture, the mark of history, and the spirit of a nation, Mạc Thiên Tích gathered distinguished guests in Hà Tiên, establishing "Chiêu Anh Các" - a sanctuary at the frontier, where people engaged in tea discussions and poetic recitations, a peaceful haven amidst the chaos of the world.

In the ambiance of Chiêu Anh Các, poetry resonated, deeply imbued between sips of tea and wafts of smoke, creating a world where the beauty of nature and the human soul harmonised. "Hà Tiên thập vịnh," the most notable work of Mạc Thiên Tích, celebrates the ten famous landscapes of Hà Tiên such as Đông Hồ, Thạch Động, Lư Khê, Núi Bình San. Each poem is not only a tribute but also a watercolour painting in words, where nature and human life are intricately woven, profoundly depicting the soul of Hà Tiên.

“When ink remains on the paper, it does not just capture the scenery but also the soul of Hà Tiên, where intellect and emotions intersect, leaving marks for generations to come.”

One might wonder, what relevance does an ancient poetry collection have in the modern world? Yet, through these verses, Hà Tiên has become one of the rare places in the world where the names of locales are not just letters on a map but are poems, songs of the soul. This is the pinnacle of culture—when poetry is not just words but a soul map, guiding an entire region as it flourishes through the flow of time and history, where the culture of Hà Tiên is preserved and enhanced through generations, not just through words but through how people feel and live with the land.

Hà Tiên – In the Breath of the Present Age

Hà Tiên, a land lying peacefully along the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, is not merely a stop for dreamers in search of beautiful photographs or the rustic flavours of borderland dishes. When you come to Hà Tiên, you may lose yourself in the untouched beauty of Thạch Động, or be immersed in the moment when the sun dips gently into the waters of Đông Hồ Lake. But beyond all that, Hà Tiên is, most importantly, a symbol of a way of life.

That way of life, forged through generations, is the courage to make the right choices in the most turbulent times—just like Mạc Cửu’s decision to ally with the Nguyễn Lords to ensure Hà Tiên’s prosperity and stability. It is also the spirit of living in harmony without losing one’s own essence, reflected in how the multi-ethnic community here—Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer, and others—have coexisted, sharing space and culture without ever dissolving into one another.

Hà Tiên is also the soul of those who love beauty, those who choose culture as a way of being—much like the poets of Chiêu Anh Các who once composed the Hà Tiên Thập Vịnh, not merely as verses, but as a way to capture and retell the beauty of this land through each era.

At Nhà của Rô, we believe that preserving Hà Tiên is not just about maintaining historical monuments or hosting festivals. To preserve Hà Tiên is to keep telling its story—so that each visitor may feel, even just a small part, of the depth and spirit that this land has carried through time.

If you are holding one of our café’s postcards in your hand, please consider it not just a souvenir. Each postcard is a fragment of history—a living witness to the flow of time that Hà Tiên has endured and embraced. It is not merely an image, but a gentle reminder of a world in which culture and history are never things of the past—but are continuously breathed into the present, vivid and whole.

Nghia Le - 2025