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 According to many historians, the “Lệ Chi Viên Case” was not merely a tragic accident of fate but likely a carefully staged conspiracy led by Queen Mother Nguyễn Thị Anh. Later on, Emperor Lê Thánh Tông—who posthumously cleared Nguyễn Trãi’s name—may have also known the truth. Yet, for the dignity of the royal house and to preserve the face of the Lê dynasty, he chose silence over scandal. To this day, it remains one of the most hotly debated mysteries in Vietnamese history.

The Shadows of Destiny

Records from Đông A Di Sự note that Nguyễn Trãi’s maternal grandfather was Trần Nguyên Đán, a powerful and virtuous minister of the Trần dynasty, renowned for his deep knowledge of astrology and destiny. He had foreseen the downfall of his dynasty through Hồ Quý Ly’s ambition, and in an attempt to protect his descendants, allied his family with the usurper.

As fate would have it, his grandsons—Trần Nguyên Hãn and Nguyễn Trãi—would both become national heroes. However, upon reading Nguyễn Trãi’s horoscope, Trần Nguyên Đán warned him: “Conquer the city, then withdraw.” He sensed greatness and tragedy intertwined within the same destiny—glory that would one day demand a price from three generations.

The Rise and Fall of a Scholar–Statesman

Nguyễn Trãi was instrumental in the Lam Sơn uprising against Ming invaders, drafting strategies and proclamations that led to victory in 1427. In recognition, Lê Lợi conferred upon him the title Quan Phục Hầu, along with rare honors and privileges—proof of his unmatched contribution.

However, his brilliance also made him a target. After the deaths of his allies Trần Nguyên Hãn and Phạm Văn Xảo, Nguyễn Trãi’s influence waned. He was gradually pushed away from state affairs, confined to cultural and scholarly duties. Even the royal surname “Lê” granted to him was later omitted from inscriptions.

It wasn’t until King Lê Thái Tông recognized his wisdom and recalled him to serve again that Nguyễn Trãi’s prestige was restored. By 1439, he had regained most of his former ranks. Yet, destiny had already set the stage for tragedy.

The Night at Lệ Chi Viên

In 1442, the king visited the East to inspect the troops. During his stay, Nguyễn Trãi invited him to rest at Côn Sơn. Soon after, at the “Lệ Chi Viên” (Lychee Garden), the 20-year-old king suddenly fell ill and died. Nguyễn Trãi and his wife, Lady Nguyễn Thị Lộ, were accused of regicide and sentenced to “extermination of three generations.”

But centuries later, scholars revisited the case and found clues that pointed elsewhere. Before his death, Lê Thái Tông had replaced his crown prince—Nghi Dân—with Bang Cơ, the child of Nguyễn Thị Anh. Meanwhile, Lady Ngô Thị Ngọc Dao (mother of the future king Lê Thánh Tông) was pregnant and persecuted by Nguyễn Thị Anh. Nguyễn Trãi and his wife had secretly sheltered her at temples in Hanoi and Từ Liêm, protecting her until she gave birth to Prince Tư Thành.

Such compassion, however, marked them for death. Nguyễn Thị Anh feared exposure of her son’s illegitimacy and conspired to eliminate the king during his visit—then blame Nguyễn Trãi. The perfect scapegoat was ready.

Following the king’s death, Nguyễn Trãi’s entire clan was executed. Soon after, even two eunuchs—Đinh Phúc and Đinh Thắng—who had known court secrets, were killed. Historians believe they had advised Nguyễn Trãi to tell the king about Bang Cơ’s true parentage, but he hesitated—and paid the ultimate price.

Years later, King Lê Thánh Tông reversed the verdict, honoring Nguyễn Trãi with the words:
“The heart of Ức Trai shines bright as the Khuê Star.”

In 1464, the king officially pardoned him, restoring his descendants’ names and titles.

Modern scholars—including Phan Duy Kha, Đinh Công Vĩ, and Lã Duy Lan—have offered compelling evidence supporting the theory that Nguyễn Thị Anh orchestrated the conspiracy. Their findings were detailed in the book “Lễ Nghi Học Sĩ Nguyễn Thị Lộ và Thảm Án Lệ Chi Viên” (2004), restoring the dignity of two unjustly condemned souls after centuries of silence.

 Barely a week after launch, “Brother Hai’s Pho Shop” – a small, independently developed Vietnamese game – has taken social media by storm. Gamers are sharing clips, memes, and even creating fan groups just to discuss… the runaway dog “Cậu Vàng” and the accidentally burnt broth. 

At first glance, it sounds like just another cooking simulator, but Brother Hai’s Restaurant is unexpectedly real, raw, and hilarious. Players take on the role of Anh Hai, a man trying to start his life over by opening a pho shop in the peaceful countryside of Đan Phượng, Hanoi. The tranquility doesn’t last long — within minutes, players find themselves caught in chaotic, real-life situations: moody customers, nosy neighbors, a mischievous dog escaping its leash, and even cinematic action moments worthy of a Vietnamese drama.

What makes Brother Hai’s Pho Shop stand out isn’t flashy graphics or complex mechanics, but its authentic storytelling and familiar slice-of-life vibe. With every choice leading to one of four different endings — from “happily ever after” to “total disaster” — players can’t help but see themselves in Anh Hai: a simple, hard-working Vietnamese man juggling reality and ambition.

The developer, a young indie creator, said humbly:

“I never imagined my little game would become this popular. I just wanted to tell a Vietnamese story, made by Vietnamese hands. I picked pho because it’s not only close to our hearts but also famous around the world.”

Surprisingly, the game is completely free. Every sound effect, visual, and detail was self-made from publicly available assets, adjusted and reworked to fit the Vietnamese theme. “I used what I could find online, modified it to make it more local, and just hoped people would like it. Seeing it blow up like this is surreal,” he shared.

Right now, the keywords “Phở Anh Hai” and “No.10 Đan Phượng” are trending across Facebook, TikTok, and Reddit. Some ride-hailing app drivers even joked about customers requesting rides to the “fake address” featured in the game — that’s how deep the meme has gone.

When Vietnamese Games Start Telling Vietnamese Stories

Brother Hai’s Pho Shop isn’t just a viral hit; it’s proof that Vietnamese culture can shine in gaming without copying anyone else. No fancy 3D graphics or massive budgets — just authenticity and heart — are enough to capture both local and international audiences.

Vietnam’s gaming industry is already on the rise. In 2024, total revenue surpassed 13.6 trillion VND, up nearly 9% from the previous year. International markets alone brought in over 2 trillion VND, with 5.7 billion downloads from global players, placing Vietnam among the Top 5 gaming markets in the world. Games like “Return to Childhood”, which lets players relive the 1990s with nostalgic Vietnamese street games, and “Brother Hai’s Pho Shop” are shaping a distinct “Made-in-Vietnam” identity in the digital space.

Experts say Vietnam’s cultural heritage — from history and folklore to everyday life — is still a gold mine waiting to be explored. Blending local culture into games doesn’t just make them more relatable; it also becomes a new way for young people to connect with their roots through technology. When Vietnamese stories are told with Vietnamese creativity, the gaming industry does more than make money — it helps spread the nation’s spirit worldwide, in a natural, vibrant, and soulful way.

Colleges and academies in Vietnam have already begun opening official game design and development programs, aiming to build a strong, homegrown talent pool. With the right support, Vietnam could soon become a regional powerhouse for game creation, where new “Anh Hai” developers continue telling local stories in global languages.

In short, “Brother Hai’s Pho Shop” isn’t just a funny, feel-good indie game — it’s a declaration: Vietnamese games can stand tall on their own identity. And maybe, just maybe, in the near future, when people think of “Made-in-Vietnam” games, they’ll picture a steaming bowl of pho — warm, flavorful, and full of soul.

Link dowload this game: https://marisa0704.itch.io/brother-hais-pho-restaurant

 According to Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA), a Chinese woman surnamed Liu used the name "A A in Taiwan" on social media platforms to post comments opposing Taiwan.

Taiwan's immigration authorities revoked her family reunion residence permit in Taiwan in accordance with the law and prohibited her from reapplying for five years. The penalty decision was issued on March 15, requiring her to leave Taiwan within 10 days and exit the country by March 25.

On March 20, she submitted an appeal to Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior and the appellate authority to request a temporary suspension of the penalty. However, the Taipei High Administrative Court ruled that she had promoted war propaganda against Taiwan and decided to dismiss the case on the evening of March 22. She still has the right to appeal.

According to Liberty Times, in addition to A A, two other Chinese women, Xiao Wei and En Yi, who married Taiwanese citizens, were also summoned by Taiwan’s Immigration Agency. They had frequently posted videos and statements supporting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in its efforts to unify Taiwan by force.

On March 21, Taiwan's Immigration Agency summoned the two individuals, revoked their residence permits, and restricted them from applying for family-based residency for five years. They were also required to leave Taiwan within the specified timeframe and would be forcibly deported if they exceeded the deadline.

The article also noted that Xiao Wei and En Yi had large followings on Douyin in mainland China and had posted content such as:

"Taiwan’s streets are filled with five-star red flags."

"The People's Liberation Army’s military exercises demonstrate strong military power and firmly uphold national sovereignty."

"Taiwan is an inseparable part of China."

They also made other statements advocating for the CCP’s military action to eliminate Taiwan’s sovereignty.

According to a video posted on March 24, Xiao Wei and En Yi went live together online to attract attention. Xiao Wei even shouted, "I was deported from Taiwan because of my patriotism, and I feel very happy! My sacrifice is completely worthwhile."

Both declared that they would return to mainland China together and continue live streaming upon their return.

A post on platform X questioned: "Are they too arrogant? Should they be deported? Three women from mainland China who married Taiwanese citizens (including A A) have repeatedly called for the CCP to use force to unify Taiwan, expressing their desire to return to their beloved homeland."

The revocation of the residence permits of A A, Xiao Wei, and En Yi was welcomed by Taiwanese netizens but did not receive support from mainland Chinese netizens. Instead, they were mocked.

According to a viral video on March 23, a mainland Chinese woman accused them of profiting from controversy. She said, "This only creates division rather than bringing the two sides of the Taiwan Strait closer together."

A man questioned, "Some mainland Chinese brides in Taiwan keep posting videos criticizing Taiwan. If they think Taiwan is so bad, why did they marry and live there?"

Another man mocked, "They constantly talk about patriotism, but in reality, they don’t want to return home. Are they saying one thing and doing another?"

A young man joked, "A A praised life in mainland China so much, so she shouldn’t feel sad when she returns. After all, ‘the domestic situation is very good now,’ with an annual economic growth rate of 6%, and the government claims that over 99% of food meets safety standards."

He added, "A A, come back, let’s build China together. She should bring her husband and family along so we can all experience the good life."

A post on platform X stated: "A major reversal! A A and Xiao Wei have gained fame in mainland China, but not for patriotism—rather, they have become a laughingstock among mainland netizens!"

Netizens continued to post satirical videos about them. Some Douyin comments mocked, "Xiao Wei is already 41 years old. She previously claimed she would return to the mainland to marry and have three children. What happens now?"

X users actively discussed: "Internet celebrities in China can be hit by the ‘iron fist’ at any time. Having a large following is a double-edged sword, especially for those who exploit patriotism—it can backfire at any moment."

"Just wait, maybe one day the Chinese authorities will crack down on them too, and then they will truly understand what pain is!"

 Here are 5 tips to help you quickly memorize history lessons:

1. **Create Diagrams and Charts:** Make diagrams and charts that illustrate the relationships between events, characters, and historical periods. This visualization helps you understand connections clearly and makes memorization easier.

2. **Use Images and Illustrations:** Find images, maps, and illustrations related to historical events. Visualizing concepts helps with better retention and comprehension.

3. **Tell a Story:** Transform historical events into a narrative. Create a story based on details, characters, and plotlines to establish logical and engaging connections.

4. **Establish Present-Day Connections:** Link historical events and expressions to the present world. Discuss the impacts and lessons learned from historical events to create deep connections and motivation for learning.

5. **Create Summaries:** After studying a historical segment, create a concise summary of its key points and significance. This practice helps you recap and reinforce your knowledge.

However, the most important aspect is to maintain consistency in studying, avoid procrastination, and focus on understanding deeply rather than just rote memorization.