TL;DR: Bà Phi Yến's death anniversary (the figure also called Lê Thị Răm in legend) is held yearly at An Sơn Miếu in Côn Đảo special zone, Hồ Chí Minh City, with the main ceremony on the 18th of the tenth lunar month. She is a figure recorded only through local legend, with no verified historical evidence, and the anniversary was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2022.
Who was Bà Phi Yến and why is she worshipped in Côn Đảo?
Bà Phi Yến, as legend passed down among the residents of Côn Đảo tells it, was a woman who once fled to the island with the Nguyễn lord. There mother and child met with injustice: her son was thrown into the sea and died, and she herself, having nearly been violated, took her own life to keep her chastity intact[1]. Islanders built a shrine to her around 1785, and the custom of worship has been maintained to this day[1].
It is necessary, however, to distinguish clearly between legend and historical record. The Cục Di sản văn hóa (Department of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) states that Bà Hoàng Phi Yến is a figure "recorded only through legend"[1]. Recognition as heritage does not mean enrolling a historical figure, but acknowledging the religious life of the island community[1].
In April 2022, the Nguyễn Phước tộc clan council (descendants of King Gia Long) together with a number of researchers held a scholarly seminar and signed a petition to the Prime Minister proposing that Bà Phi Yến's death anniversary be removed from the list of national intangible cultural heritage[2]. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đỗ Bang, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Historical Sciences, holds that the legend of Lê Thị Răm is a grafting onto a popular folk tale from the Lê era, and that the woman in the verse "the wind carries the Cải plant to heaven, the Răm herb stays behind to bear a bitter life" may be the consort Lê Thị Kim of King Lê Chiêu Thống rather than a consort of Lord Nguyễn Ánh[2]. Dr. Nguyễn Quang Trung Tiến (former Head of the History Faculty, University of Sciences, Huế University) also raises the question: Lord Nguyễn Ánh's flight to Côn Đảo at that time, within waters controlled by the Tây Sơn, would have been impossible[2].
There are thus two currents of opinion: on one side the Côn Đảo community maintaining worship of her according to legend, on the other historians questioning the authenticity of the figure and the events. This article does not assert which side is right, but presents both so that readers may have a multi-sided view.
An Sơn Miếu: since when has the shrine to Bà Phi Yến existed?
An Sơn Miếu (also called Miếu bà Phi Yến) was built in 1785 and is one of the rare religious heritages still standing in Côn Đảo[3]. After the upheaval of 1861, when residents were forced off the island, the shrine lay abandoned for many years; in 1958 the people rebuilt it on the old foundation[3].
The shrine has simple but warm and quiet architecture, worshipping Buddha and Bà Phi Yến, showing a combination of folk belief and religion[3]. Many people come not only to pray for peace but also to find stillness of mind and a connection with the cultural values handed down on the island[3].
Since 2025 Côn Đảo has been a special zone of Hồ Chí Minh City[3]; before that it belonged to the former Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu province.
On which day does Bà Phi Yến's death anniversary take place, and what rites does it include?
Bà Phi Yến's death anniversary is held yearly at An Sơn Miếu, with the main ceremony on the 18th of the tenth lunar month[3]. By custom the festival lasts three days, with both ritual and festive parts[3].
The ritual part
- Lễ Mộc Dục: held on the night of the 16th of the tenth lunar month at An Sơn Miếu, a rite of bathing the statue (or spirit tablet) of Bà[3].
- Procession of the spirit tablet of Hoàng tử Hội An: the tablet is carried from Miếu Cậu to the shrine of Bà Phi Yến, an important element of the festival[3].
- Main ceremony: on the morning of the 18th of the tenth lunar month, including incense offering, reading of the văn tế and presentation of traditional offerings[3].
The festive part
The festive part is lively with activities such as đờn ca tài tử, lion dance, flower arranging contests, vegetarian food, tug of war and many other folk games[3]. In 2025 the 240th anniversary was held from 5 to 7 December (the 16th to 18th of the tenth lunar month), drawing many residents and visitors, including foreign tourists joining the tug of war[3].
Why was Bà Phi Yến's death anniversary recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage?
In 2022 Bà Phi Yến's death anniversary was recognised as national intangible cultural heritage[3]. According to the Cục Di sản văn hóa, the recognition acknowledges the religious life of the island community, recognised and protected by law, and also acknowledges the community's role in creating, maintaining and transmitting cultural identity[1]. The Department also states clearly that the recognition "does not carry the meaning of enrolling the figure in legend, historical story or related legendary story"[1].
This is not an isolated case: many national intangible cultural heritages and UNESCO world heritages are also tied to legendary figures, such as the Hùng Vương worship (tied to the legend of the Hùng Kings), the Gióng Festival (tied to the legend of Thánh Gióng), and the practice of Mother Goddess worship of the Three Palaces[1].
Debate around the heritage recognition: two currents of opinion
As noted, the recognition of Bà Phi Yến's death anniversary has stirred debate among researchers. Some historians hold that heritage cannot be exalted on the basis of a legendary story and propose removal from the list[2]. Conversely, the Cục Di sản văn hóa and local authorities emphasise the religious, communal and cultural identity value of the festival[1][3].
Bà Phi Yến's death anniversary is a case showing that intangible cultural heritage can be tied to a legendary figure. Recognition as heritage does not mean verifying the figure, but acknowledging the religious life of a community. Readers may consult further historical sources for a fuller view.
Summary table of key information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Other names | Lễ giỗ bà Thứ phi Hoàng Phi Yến, Miếu bà Phi Yến |
| Figure worshipped | Bà Phi Yến (legend), possibly linked to Lê Thị Răm |
| Location | An Sơn Miếu, đặc khu Côn Đảo, TP.HCM |
| Main ceremony date | 18th of the tenth lunar month |
| Year shrine founded | Around 1785 |
| Year rebuilt | 1958 |
| Heritage recognition | 2022 (National Intangible Cultural Heritage) |
| Main rites | Lễ Mộc Dục, procession of Hoàng tử Hội An's tablet, incense offering, reading of the văn tế |
Nhật Nguyệt's suggestion
If you have the chance to visit Côn Đảo during Bà Phi Yến's death anniversary, arrange your time to attend the main ceremony on the morning of the 18th of the tenth lunar month. This is an occasion to learn about local culture and feel the distinctive festival atmosphere. Note, however, that this is a religious festival, so dress modestly and keep a respectful attitude. For historical understanding, you should consult further official sources for a multi-sided view of the figure and events.
