TL;DR: The Lê Chân Female General Festival is held annually on the 8th day of the second lunar month in Hải Phòng to honor her contributions as the founder of An Biên village. The festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2016.
What does the Lê Chân Female General Festival mean to Hải Phòng?
For the people of Hải Phòng, Female General Lê Chân is not just a historical figure but also the city's Guardian Deity (Thanh Hoang), credited with reclaiming land and founding the ancient An Biên 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 Lê Chân 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.
Key milestones and information about Female General Lê Chân and the festival in Hải Phòng.
| Event, artifact | Time | Location, position | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth of Female General Lê Chân | Year 20 (AD) | An Biên Commune, Đông Triều District, Kinh Môn Prefecture, Hải Dương Region | Now part of An Thủy Commune, Đông Triều District, Quảng Ninh Province |
| Hai Bà Trưng Uprising | Spring of Canh Tý Year (40 AD) | Mê Linh | Lê Chân joined from the eastern coastal region |
| Traditional Festival of Female General Lê Chân | The 8th day of the 2nd lunar month every year | Hải Phòng | One of the city's most important festivals |
| Recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage | 2016 | Recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism | |
| Groundbreaking of the Monument to Female General Lê Chân | 1999 | Center of Hải Phòng City | Cast in bronze, 7.5m tall, weighing 19 tons |
| Completion of the Monument to Female General Lê Chân | Late 2000 | Center of Hải Phòng City | |
| Recognition of the Kim Pham Set of Nghe Temple as a National Treasure | December 31, 2024 | According to Decision No. 1712/QD-TTg | |
| Kim Pham Set of Nghe Temple | Early 20th century, Nguyen Dynasty | Hải Phòng Museum | Consists of 22 gold artifacts, exquisitely handcrafted |
Who was Female General Lê Chân?
How did Lê Chân found An Biên Village?
According to historical legends, Lê Chân was born in the year 20 AD in An Biên village, Đông Triều district (now An Thủy commune, Quảng Ninh province). She was the daughter of Lê Đạo and Trần Thị Châu, a family known for healing. From a young age, she was famous for her beauty, intelligence, martial arts skills, and great ambition.
When Governor Tô Định heard of her, he tried to force her to become his concubine. Her family firmly refused, leading Tô Định to harm her father. Carrying this deep grievance, Lê Chân and her relatives left their homeland, heading to the An Dương 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 Biên village, the very heart of modern-day Hải Phòng.
How did Lê Chân join the Trung Sisters' uprising?
Hearing that the Trung Sisters were gathering forces in the West, Lê Chân went to meet and discuss strategies to expel the invaders. She then returned to An Biên to recruit soldiers, forge weapons, and stockpile provisions.
In the spring of 40 AD, when the Trung Sisters launched their uprising in Mê Linh, Lê Chân and her troops from the eastern coast quickly joined, contributing to the overall victory. Afterward, she was bestowed the title Thánh Chân Princess (Sacred Princess) and given command over the northeastern coastal region.
How did Lê Chân defend the realm and die?
After the uprising, General Lê Chân returned to An Biên, 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.
What memorial sites honor Female General Lê Chân?
What is special about Đền Nghè Shrine and Đình An Biên?
After her death, the people of An Biên built a temple in her honor, known today as Đền Nghè on Mê Linh Street. It has been classified as a national historical-cultural relic. Alongside it, Đình An Biên on Hai Bà Trưng Street is also a nationally recognized architectural and artistic relic associated with her worship.
Where is the Statue of Female General Lê Chân?
In 1999, Hải Phòng began constructing a statue of General Lê Chân 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.
What are the Đền Nghè gold artifacts?
A momentous event was the Prime Minister's Decision No. 1712/QD-TTg on December 31, 2024, recognizing the Đền Nghè 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 Lê Chân. After 48 years of preservation at the State Bank of Vietnam, this unique set was handed over to the Hải Phòng Museum for public display.
What rituals and activities happen at the festival?
The Ceremony: A Solemn Procession
The festival begins with a procession from Đền Nghè and Đình An Biên to the Statue of General Lê Chân 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.
How is the festival's cultural identity expressed?
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 Lê Chân - Guardian Deity of the Port City," involving hundreds of professional and amateur artists.
What is the festival's value and meaning today?
The Lê Chân 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 Đền Nghè 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.
