1. Reference essay number 3
The play 'Vu Như Tô' is divided into five acts, with the plot set in Thang Long around the years 1516-1517 during the feudal period of the Lê Dynasty.
The main character is the skilled and upright architect Vu Như Tô.
King Lê Tương Dực, a tyrant who preferred pleasure and indulgence, ordered Vu Như Tô to construct the Nine-Story Tower as a place for entertainment. Although faced with the threat of death, Vu Như Tô, known for his integrity and disdain for wealth, refused. The palace maid, Đan Thiềm, urged the architect to build the tower as a legacy to showcase his genius for generations to admire. The project, grand and costly, drained the nation’s resources and worsened the people’s suffering. In response, the people rebelled, killing Vu Như Tô, and the Nine-Story Tower was destroyed as well.

2. Reference essay number 4
Vu Như Tô was a talented architect with a strong, principled character. King Lê Tương Dực, known for his indulgent and hedonistic nature, ordered Vu Như Tô to build the Nine-Story Tower, a place of excess and pleasure. Without concern for fame, Vu Như Tô boldly rejected the king’s command, knowing it would make him the target of royal wrath. The palace maid, Đan Thiềm, encouraged him, suggesting that the buildings he created would endure and earn admiration from future generations.
The magnificent Nine-Story Tower consumed vast amounts of resources, labor, and even the lives of the people, which led to widespread hatred. Trịnh Duy Sản, a local noble, incited the workers and the people to rise up, resulting in the death of Vu Như Tô and the destruction of the Nine-Story Tower by fire.

3. Reference essay number 5
The play 'Goodbye, Nine-Story Tower' takes place during the Lê Dynasty, where King Lê Tương Dực is infamous for his indulgence and neglect of state affairs. Vu Như Tô, a virtuous and talented architect, is ordered by the king to design and build the Nine-Story Tower for entertainment purposes. Despite the king threatening to kill him for defying his orders, Vu Như Tô refuses.
Đan Thiềm, a palace maid who feels isolated in the palace, passionately convinces Vu Như Tô to undertake the monumental project, hoping it will leave a lasting legacy. Building the Nine-Story Tower, which opposes the will of the people, consumes vast resources. Eventually, Duke Trịnh Duy Sản leads a rebellion, killing Vu Như Tô, and the Nine-Story Tower is destroyed in flames.

4. Reference essay number 1
Vu Như Tô, a genius architect, is forced by the tyrannical king Lê Tương Dực to construct the Nine-Story Tower as a place for luxury and pleasure with the concubines. As a true artist deeply connected with the people, Vu Như Tô boldly rejects the king’s command and refuses to build the tower, even when threatened with death. (Act I). However, Đan Thiềm, a palace maid, persuades Vu Như Tô to accept the king’s request, encouraging him to use the king’s wealth and power to create a grand masterpiece for the country, one that would be admired for centuries.
Following her advice, Vu Như Tô changes his stance and agrees to build the Nine-Story Tower. He devotes all his efforts to making it magnificent. Unfortunately, this decision leads to numerous calamities for the people: to fund the tower, the government increases taxes, forces skilled workers, and punishes those who resist. The people grow resentful, and the workers curse Vu Như Tô, as many die in accidents and are executed for attempting to escape. As the construction nears completion, the tension between the ruling elite, who live in decadence, and the suffering commoners, as well as between Vu Như Tô and the workers, becomes more intense. (Acts II, III, IV).
Taking advantage of this chaos, Duke Trịnh Duy Sản, leader of the opposition faction at court, incites a rebellion, rallying workers to revolt. The king, Lê Tương Dực, Vu Như Tô, and Đan Thiềm are killed. The Nine-Story Tower is destroyed by the rebellious workers. (Act V).

5. Reference Text No. 6
"Farewell to the Nine-Tiered Pavilion" is the debut play by Vu Nhu To. This play is a historical tragedy consisting of five acts, telling the story of events that took place in Thang Long around 1516-1517 under the reign of Le Tuong Duc. The excerpt in the textbook belongs to the first act (The Forbidden Palace) of the play.
The excerpt from "Farewell to the Nine-Tiered Pavilion" revolves around the life of the main character, Vu Nhu To, a talented architect. Following the orders of the tyrant King Le Tuong Duc, Vu Nhu To is forced to build the Nine-Tiered Pavilion for the king to indulge in pleasure and entertain with the court ladies. As a true artist, Vu Nhu To refuses the king's command.
Dang Thiem, a palace maid, convinces Vu Nhu To to construct the Nine-Tiered Pavilion. From then on, he dedicates all his energy to building a majestic and grand structure. However, he inadvertently brings disaster to the people: increased taxes, forced recruitment of skilled workers, arrests, and torture of those who oppose, leading to widespread public resentment.
The Duke of Quang, Trinh Duy San, the leader of the opposition, revolts and kills King Le Tuong Duc. Vu Nhu To and the Nine-Tiered Pavilion are destroyed by fire.

6. Reference Text No. 2
"Farewell to the Nine-Tiered Pavilion" is set during the Le Dynasty, featuring King Le Tuong Duc, famous for his indulgence and negligence in ruling. Vu Nhu To, a virtuous and talented architect, is ordered by the king to design and build the Nine-Tiered Pavilion for royal entertainment in the capital, Thang Long.
Vu Nhu To refuses, despite the king's threat to execute him for disobeying orders. Upon hearing of a rebellion and realizing the danger to his life, Dang Thiem urgently advises and urges him to flee. However, Vu Nhu To remains steadfast, believing he is innocent.
Finally, when Dang Thiem is captured and the rebels burn down the Nine-Tiered Pavilion, Vu Nhu To has a moment of realization, bidding farewell to the Nine-Tiered Pavilion.
