History of the Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival

At the age of nineteen, Trung Trac married Mr. Thi Sach, the son of a local official in Chu Dien (present-day Son Tay), who shared her determination to resist Han rule. When Thi Sach was murdered by Han officials for opposing the occupation, Trung Trac, along with her sister Trung Nhi and other leaders like Phung Thi Chau and Le Chan, led a rebellion against the Eastern Han dynasty. The uprising attracted hundreds of thousands of participants, including many women. The Trung Sisters successfully captured the capital at Luy Lau (Bac Ninh), defeated the Han general Su Ding, and proclaimed themselves queens. They established a short-lived, three-year reign (40-43 AD), creating the only female-led dynasty in Vietnamese history.

After sacrificing their lives in a battle led by the Han general Ma Vien, the people nationwide built temples to honor Hai Ba Trung and the generals. Among the 103 locations honoring Hai Ba Trung and the generals in 9 provinces and cities across the country (Me Linh district alone has 25 historical sites in 13 communes), the Hai Ba Trung Temple in Ha Loi village, Me Linh commune, holds special significance as the place where traces of the Trung Sisters' childhood, growth, uprising, and establishment of the capital are preserved.

Distinctive Features of the Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival

The Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival follows both state and local rituals, consisting of two parts: the Ceremony and the Festival. The Ceremony begins on the morning of the 6th day of the Lunar New Year with a procession from Ha Loi Communal House to the Hai Ba Trung Temple. The procession features two white elephants, two white horses, and follows the customs of the Hai Ba dynasty. The procession includes various groups: young women wearing white, female soldiers in brown uniforms with sashes, carrying swords, priests in green ceremonial attire with parasols, musicians, flag bearers, sword bearers, and more. The procession passes through villages to receive the reverence of the people. Upon arriving at Hai Ba Trung Temple, traditional rituals are performed.

The Festival includes cultural and artistic activities, traditional games, and sports competitions. Common activities include tug-of-war, archery, traditional singing, human chess, and traditional dancing. These activities not only showcase the strength, skills, and cleverness of the people of Hue but also serve to maintain and promote the traditional cultural values of the community.

The Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival is a unique and culturally significant event in Hue. The festival not only helps the people of Hue preserve and promote their cultural and spiritual values but also provides an opportunity for visitors to admire and learn about the unique cultural and spiritual aspects of Hue. The Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival is an essential and meaningful tradition for the people of Hue and an enriching experience for visitors from different regions. It is a festival worth participating in at least once in a lifetime.