The Le Chan Female General Festival: A Cultural Icon of the Port City
For the people of Hai Phong, Female General Le Chan is not just a historical figure but also the city's Guardian Deity (Thanh Hoang), credited with reclaiming land and founding the ancient An Bien village, the precursor to today's port city. To honor her, every year on the 8th day of the second lunar month, the city grandly organizes the Le Chan Female General Traditional Festival. This is considered one of the city's most important festivals, reflecting the tradition of remembering one's roots and the deep pride of its people.
In 2016, this festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Life and Career of Female General Le Chan
Background and Founding of the Village
According to historical legends, Le Chan was born in the year 20 AD in An Bien village, Dong Trieu district (now An Thuy commune, Quang Ninh province). She was the daughter of Le Dao and Tran Thi Chau, a family known for healing. From a young age, she was famous for her beauty, intelligence, martial arts skills, and great ambition.
When Governor To Dinh heard of her, he tried to force her to become his concubine. Her family firmly refused, leading To Dinh to harm her father. Carrying this deep grievance, Le Chan and her relatives left their homeland, heading to the An Duong area at the mouth of the Cam River to reclaim land and establish a new settlement. Initially named Lang Ven, it was later renamed An Bien village, the very heart of modern-day Hai Phong.
Joining the Trung Sisters' Uprising
Hearing that the Trung Sisters were gathering forces in the West, Le Chan went to meet and discuss strategies to expel the invaders. She then returned to An Bien to recruit soldiers, forge weapons, and stockpile provisions.
In the spring of 40 AD, when the Trung Sisters launched their uprising in Me Linh, Le Chan and her troops from the eastern coast quickly joined, contributing to the overall victory. Afterward, she was bestowed the title Thanh Chan Princess (Sacred Princess) and given command over the northeastern coastal region.
Defending the Realm and Sacrifice
After the uprising, General Le Chan returned to An Bien, continuing to develop agriculture and construct prosperous villages. She also had moats dug and ramparts built, training soldiers to guard this vital eastern region. When Ma Yuan led a massive invasion, her forces were overwhelmed. To preserve her honor, she chose to die rather than be captured, becoming a symbol of loyalty and integrity.
Memorial Architecture and Modern Symbols
Den Nghe Shrine and Dinh An Bien
After her death, the people of An Bien built a temple in her honor, known today as Den Nghe on Me Linh Street. It has been classified as a national historical-cultural relic. Alongside it, Dinh An Bien on Hai Ba Trung Street is also a nationally recognized architectural and artistic relic associated with her worship.
The Statue of Female General Le Chan
In 1999, Hai Phong began constructing a statue of General Le Chan in the city center. The bronze statue stands 7.5 meters tall and weighs 19 tons, completed in late 2000. It has quickly become a familiar symbol of the city, a place for locals and tourists to offer incense and pay respects on important occasions.
The Den Nghe Gold Artifacts: A National Treasure
A momentous event was the Prime Minister's Decision No. 1712/QD-TTg on December 31, 2024, recognizing the Den Nghe Gold Artifacts as a National Treasure. This unique set consists of 22 gold artifacts, exquisitely handcrafted during the early 20th century Nguyen dynasty, donated to honor General Le Chan. After 48 years of preservation at the State Bank of Vietnam, this unique set was handed over to the Hai Phong Museum for public display.
Main Rituals and Activities of the Festival
The Ceremony: A Solemn Procession
The festival begins with a procession from Den Nghe and Dinh An Bien to the Statue of General Le Chan Square. The procession includes traditional elements like lion dances, drums, gongs, palanquins, traditional music ensembles, and female official ceremonial teams, accompanied by a large crowd. The solemn atmosphere reflects the people's deep gratitude.
The Festivities: Rich Cultural Identity
The festival also features a variety of traditional cultural and artistic activities. Visitors can enjoy ca tru singing, ancient cheo opera, traditional musical instrument performances, and participate in recreated folk games. A special highlight is the recreated Ven market, a traditional village market that always attracts large crowds, offering a unique cultural experience.
In recent years, the festival has been organized on a grander scale, featuring special artistic programs like "Female General Le Chan - Guardian Deity of the Port City," involving hundreds of professional and amateur artists.
The Festival's Value and Meaning Today
The Le Chan Festival not only fulfills the spiritual needs of the local people but also plays a crucial role in educating younger generations about patriotism and the tradition of remembering one's roots. It is also an opportunity to promote the historical and cultural value of the city's relics and its tourism potential to visitors from near and far.
The recognition of the Den Nghe Gold Artifacts as a National Treasure has further elevated the heritage's value, affirming the city's commitment to preserving and promoting its cultural and historical assets for future generations.
