Go among the cultural and historical flow of the homeland

The palanquin procession at the Le Van Huu Temple Festival in 2025.

Historian Le Van Huu was born in the year of the Tiger (1230) in Than Hau hamlet, Phu Ly, Dong Son district; now Phu Ly village, Thieu Trung commune, Thieu Hoa district, Thanh Hoa province. Orphaned while still in his mother's womb, the boy Huu was taught and trained by his grandfather from the first strokes of writing, then asked to study with a teacher named Nguyen in Phuc Trien village. From a young age, the boy Huu was famous for being intelligent and studious.

Many anecdotes and folk tales about the studiousness and intelligence of historian Le Van Huu are still passed down to this day. The story goes that since he was a child, his mother taught him many good qualities such as: cleanliness, tidiness, politeness, knowing how to admit mistakes, not lying. He also trained him to be diligent, stay up late and wake up early, and to value his studies. At the beginning of the fifth watch, he got up to study. Dong Son region is famous for bronze casting. His mother hired a craftsman to cast a bronze lamp for the boy Huu to study. The lamp base was made of lotus petals, the lamp handle was a winding dragon, stretching its neck to hold a jade-colored enamel plate. At night, the oil lamp was lit, illuminating each page of the book. Thanks to the lamp, he was able to study well and pass exams. Folklore believes that this lamp was the light that guided historian Le Van Huu during the days of writing "Dai Viet Su Ky".

In the year of Dinh Mui (1247), Thien Ung Chinh Binh era, under the reign of King Tran Thai Tong, Le Van Huu took the exam and passed the Bang Nhan exam at the age of 17. This was the first exam in Vietnam to have the title Tam Khoi. After passing the exam, he was appointed as Inspector, then Minister of War, and later appointed as Academician and National History Supervisor. His talent and character were trusted and respected by King Tran Thai Tong, who chose him to be the prince's teacher.

During his time working at the National History Institute, under the order of King Tran Thai Tong, Academician and National History Institute Supervisor Le Van Huu completed the compilation of “Dai Viet Su Ky” – the first national history of Vietnam consisting of 30 volumes. The national history recorded the main events in the historical period spanning from the reign of Trieu Vu De (207-136 BC) to Ly Chieu Hoang (1224-1225), and was praised by King Tran Thai Tong.

Historian Le Van Huu passed away on March 23 (lunar calendar) of the year of Nham Tuat (April 9, 1322), at the age of 92. He was buried in a field in his hometown of Thieu Trung (Thieu Hoa). The life and career of historian Le Van Huu is a shining example for posterity of the spirit of studiousness, practical learning, exemplary teacher, brilliant personality, and typical cultural celebrity of Vietnam. At the National Scientific Conference "Le Van Huu and Dai Viet Su Ky" organized by the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province in coordination with the Vietnam Historical Science Association on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of his death, most of the opinions of leading experts, scientists, and research institutes affirmed: Le Van Huu was the one who laid the foundation, built the foundation, and made many great contributions to the field of history in particular and the history and culture of the Vietnamese people in general.

In order to promote the tradition of studiousness and the great contributions of historian Le Van Huu in the process of national history and culture, generations of cadres and people of Thieu Hoa in general and Thieu Trung commune in particular have been continuing the tradition, expressing respect and deep gratitude to their ancestors through many practical and effective actions. In particular, the preservation and promotion of the value of relics and festivals associated with the life and career of historian Le Van Huu have received special attention and investment.

In addition to devoting a large amount of resources to the renovation and restoration of the Le Van Huu Temple historical relic site, after many efforts, concerns, and close coordination between all levels, sectors, local authorities, and the community, the Le Van Huu Temple Festival 2025 took place successfully in a more bustling, joyful, and exciting atmosphere than previous years. Because this is the first year the festival is organized according to a new scenario at the district level.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Tung, Head of the Department of Culture, Science and Information of Thieu Hoa district, said: “Every year on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, the local government, together with the people and descendants of the family, organize the Le Van Huu Temple Festival to commemorate his merits. The festival has been properly implemented with traditional rituals and reading of congratulatory messages, and also organizes a number of folk games; however, due to the changes in history as well as the anti-feudal and anti-imperialist period, the implementation of the rituals has been interrupted, so the festival rituals have been lost, the rituals are not complete, and the scale of organization is only at the commune level”. Therefore, based on the proposal of the People's Committee of Thieu Hoa district, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa has issued Document No. 989/TTr-SVHTTDL requesting the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to consider and agree on the content of the script for the Le Van Huu Temple Festival, Thieu Trung commune (Thieu Hoa). On March 19, 2025, Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee issued a document agreeing to organize the Le Van Huu Temple Festival, Thieu Trung Commune, Thieu Hoa District.

Accordingly, the festival will take place for 3 days, from April 18 to 20, 2025 (ie March 21 - 23 of the lunar calendar) with many unique contents. The ceremony includes the temple opening rituals; bathing ceremony; procession, offerings of villages, alleys, descendants of the Le family; associations, units inside and outside the commune; palanquin procession; opening writing ceremony; announcement ceremony, presentation of memorials and thanksgiving ceremony; theatrical art program about the life and career of historian Le Van Huu. The festival organizes exhibitions, introducing traditional craft village products, OCOP products in the district; games, folk performances, mass art, sports exchanges...

Mr. Pham Huy Nong (83 years old, Thieu Trung commune) confided: “Living to this age, witnessing the constant changes and development of my homeland, seeing the traditional cultural values ​​of the village and commune being restored, preserved and promoted, I feel very excited and proud. This is the first year that the Le Van Huu Temple Festival has been organized according to a new scenario, so the commune mobilized hundreds of people to participate and serve the festival. From the elderly to the younger generation, everyone is excited and enthusiastic to participate.”

"The restoration and organization of the Le Van Huu Temple Festival according to the festival script not only demonstrates the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source", honoring the historical figure Le Van Huu - the one who laid the foundation for Vietnam's national history, but also creates a premise for organizing the festival in a methodical manner, respecting traditional values, and is also a premise for all levels and sectors to complete the dossier, proposing UNESCO to recognize historian Le Van Huu as a World Cultural Celebrity" - Mr. Tran Ngoc Tung, Head of the Department of Culture, Science and Information of Thieu Hoa district shared. This is also the greatest wish and expectation of generations of people in Thieu Trung commune - the historian's hometown.

Article and photos: Dang Khoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/di-giua-dong-chay-van-hoa-lich-su-que-huong-249037.htm