On the morning of February 11 (the 14th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake), at the national-level historical and cultural relic site of Hoa Lieu Temple and Pagoda (Thuan Thien Commune, Kien Thuy District), the People’s Committee of Thuan Thien Commune solemnly inaugurated the Minh The Festival – a national intangible cultural heritage for Spring 2025, attended by numerous officials, local residents, and visitors from near and far.
Opening ceremony of the festival
Chairman of Thuan Thien Commune People’s Committee, Mr. Pham Van Tai, struck the drum to mark the official opening of the festival. A representative of the Tu Van (village scholars) recited the Minh The Proclamation.
During the festival, delegates and visitors witnessed a unique ritual that is truly one of a kind. The presiding officiant used a knife to draw a large circle, symbolically "pointing to the sky and marking the earth" at the oath altar. Then, village elders and local officials performed the ceremonial offerings and incense prayers to Heaven, Earth, and the village’s tutelary god. The Tu Van representative read aloud the Minh The Proclamation, which clearly stated: "If one uses public resources for public matters, may the deities grant blessings. But if one harbors greed and uses public resources for personal gain, may the deities strike them down! As we swear..."
Finally, the head officiant performed the ritual of cutting the throat of a rooster, mixing its blood into a wine bowl, and inviting all participants to drink the oath wine together.
A tradition revived
The Minh The Festival was officially revived in 2002, based on the foundations of the original Minh The assembly. Historically, during the Mac Dynasty in the mid-16th century, the Empress Dowager Vu Thi Ngoc Toan (wife of Mac Dang Dung) came to Lan Nieu Hamlet (present-day Hoa Lieu) to mobilize efforts to restore the temple and pagoda, and, along with the villagers, established the Minh The Proclamation in 1561.
This proclamation set forth clear moral and civic codes of conduct—what must and must not be done—applicable to all, from village officials to common villagers. What makes the Minh The Proclamation unique is how it links everyday rules of life with spiritual elements. The festival carries profound moral and cultural values, promoting ethical behavior, social order, respect for the rule of law, and a strong anti-corruption message—principles that remain relevant even today.
The sacred rooster blood and wine oath
The ritual includes the symbolic act of cutting a rooster’s throat and mixing the blood with wine. A representative officiant drinks the oath wine. A large number of local residents and visitors attend the festival.
A festival of heritage and pride
This year, the Minh The Festival runs for three days, from the 14th to the 16th day of the first lunar month. The event is organized with solemnity, safety, and meticulous preparation, preserving the sacred spirit of the traditional ritual. The festival also features various unique folk games.
Notably, the festival takes place in an atmosphere of celebration, as the Hoa Lieu Temple and Pagoda Complex—part of the relics associated with the Mac Dynasty in Duong Kinh (Kien Thuy District)—was officially recognized as a Special National Historical Site on January 17, 2025.
This honor recognizes the site's rich cultural, historical, scientific, and aesthetic values. It is both a source of pride and a responsibility for the local authorities and people to continue preserving and promoting the heritage. The site is envisioned as a place of cultural connection and community gathering, and a spiritual tourism destination for the district and Hai Phong City. It also contributes to building a model new rural commune, making Thuan Thien increasingly prosperous, beautiful, and civilized.
Previously, the Hoa Lieu Temple and Pagoda relic complex was awarded the Third-Class Resistance Medal against the French and recognized as a national historical and cultural site in 1993. In 2017, the Minh The Festival of Hoa Lieu village was officially designated a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.