Memorial ceremony of Queen Mother Tran Thi Ngoc Hao in Duc Tho

Queen Mother Tran Thi Ngoc Hao (alias Bach Ngoc) lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. She was the wife of King Tran Due Tong (1337 - 1377) and mother-in-law of King Le Loi. She made many contributions to the Lam Son uprising.

On the morning of August 8, 2023 (June 22 of the lunar calendar), at Am Pagoda, the People's Committee of Hoa Lac commune coordinated with the Am Pagoda Management Board and local people to solemnly hold a memorial service to commemorate the 592nd death anniversary of Queen Bach Ngoc Hoang Tran Thi Ngoc Hao.

Commemoration ceremony for Empress Dowager Tran Thi Ngoc Hao in Duc Tho.

Hoa Lac Commune coordinated with the Am Pagoda Management Board and local people to attend the death anniversary ceremony of Queen Mother Tran Thi Ngoc Hao.

Empress Dowager Trần Thị Ngọc Hào (also known as Bạch Ngọc) lived during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. She was the wife of King Trần Duệ Tông (1337-1377) and the mother-in-law of King Lê Lợi.

After the Trần dynasty lost power, the Ming dynasty used the pretext of attacking the Hồ dynasty to invade Vietnam. She took her daughter, Princess Huy Chân (Trần Thị Ngọc Hiên), and servants to Nghệ An province, where they organized the clearing of wasteland and established many villages in the lower Hương Khê, upper Can Lộc, and upper Đức Thọ regions. She and her daughter supplied the Lam Sơn rebels with their stored rice and grain.

After the victory, Empress Bach Ngoc Tran Thi Ngoc Hao requested permission from the king to build a temple at Am Son (the origin of the current Am Temple) and to become a nun there. Later, Princess Huy Chan also requested to become a nun with her at the same temple.

Empress Bach Ngoc passed away on June 22nd, during the Hong Duc era of Emperor Le Thanh Tong (1460-1497). Her tomb is located in Dien Son village, Bi Coc region, now Hoa Lac commune (Duc Tho district).

Commemoration ceremony for Empress Dowager Tran Thi Ngoc Hao in Duc Tho.

Local government leaders and the management board of Am Pagoda offered incense at the altar of Empress Dowager Tran Thi Ngoc Hao.

In remembrance of her great contributions, the local people revered her as "Queen Mother" and "Holy Mother." Because of her immense contributions to the country and the people, King Le Chieu Tong, moved by her great virtues, commissioned a bronze statue to be worshipped at Am Pagoda. Through the many ups and downs of history, her temple has been renovated and expanded, becoming a magnificent structure and recognized as a national historical monument.

According to tradition, every year on the 22nd day of the 6th lunar month, the Hoa Lac commune authorities, local people, and Buddhist monks and nuns from all over the country gather at Am Pagoda to offer incense and hold a memorial service to express gratitude and remember the great contributions of the Lady, in accordance with the customs and traditions of the homeland.

Duc Phu

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