Opening Ceremony of the Le Van Huu Temple Festival 2026

To commemorate the 704th anniversary of the death of historian Le Van Huu (March 23, 1322 - March 23, 2026), on the morning of May 8th, at the Le Van Huu Temple, the People's Committee of Thieu Trung commune solemnly organized the Le Van Huu Temple Festival 2026.

Comrade Dao Xuan Yen, Standing Committee member and Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, along with other delegates, performed the incense offering ceremony at the festival.

Attending the festival were: Comrade Dao Xuan Yen, Member of the Standing Committee and Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Provincial Party Committee; Comrade Pham Thi Thanh Thuy, Member of the Standing Committee and Chairperson of the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Committee; Comrade Dau Thanh Tung, Provincial Party Committee Member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Comrade Luong Thi Hoa, Provincial Party Committee Member and Deputy Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; and a large number of local people.

Le Van Huu was born in 1230 in Phu Ly village (now Thieu Trung commune, Thanh Hoa province). As a child, he was known for his intelligence and academic excellence, passing the Bang Nhan examination in the year Dinh Mui (1247) during the reign of King Tran Thai Tong. This was the first examination in the history of our country to award the title of Tam Khoi.

Representatives from Thieu Trung commune beat the drum to officially open the festival.

Le Van Huu was known for his profound learning and exceptional virtue. He was appointed to the palace by order of King Tran Thai Tong to teach Prince Quang Khai, and was a highly accomplished royal figure. He held many important positions in the Tran dynasty court.

A large number of people attended the festival.

Le Van Huu was also the country's first outstanding historian, educator, politician , military strategist, and cultural figure. He compiled and completed the national history book "Dai Viet Su Ky" (History of Dai Viet), consisting of 30 volumes, which was praised by King Tran Thanh Tong. This work is considered a landmark national history book marking the first important milestone in the country's historiography.

With his exceptional talent and virtue, Le Van Huu has inscribed his name in the "golden list" of Vietnamese cultural figures, becoming a source of pride for Thieu Trung, a land rich in historical and cultural traditions, in particular and Thanh Hoa in general.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Traditional Craft Village, OCOP and Culture Fair.

This year's Le Van Huu Temple festival takes place from May 8th to 10th (corresponding to March 22nd to 24th in the year of the Fire Horse), with rituals including opening the temple doors, bathing the deity, procession of the palanquin, procession of the symbol of the Dai Viet History Chronicle, the first writing of the year, offering incense, offering the main ceremonial sacrifice, presenting the congratulatory text, and giving thanks.

The festival includes a traditional craft village fair, OCOP (One Commune One Product) program, and cultural events; a public art program, sports activities, traditional games, and a hands-on experience in Tra Dong bronze casting; a meeting with delegates and fellow villagers from Thieu Trung; and the announcement of the Le Van Huu Scholarship and Talent Promotion Fund.

The festival is not only an occasion to commemorate and express gratitude for the great contributions of historian Le Van Huu, but also an opportunity to educate the younger generation about the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source," arousing patriotism, national pride, and the awareness of preserving and promoting the cultural identity of their homeland.

Khac Cong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/khai-mac-le-hoi-den-tho-le-van-huu-nam-2026-287027.htm