Exploring the Spiritual and Historical Beauty of Lang Dau Festival

Each year, as the second lunar month arrives, the Lang Dau Festival takes place vibrantly on the 15th day. This is not just an occasion to commemorate national heroes but also an opportunity for visitors to deeply explore the cultural and historical beauty of Ha Nam. This journey serves as a bridge that connects you to the heroic stories of the three sisters, A Dao, Nguyen Phuong, and Nguyen Que.

Origins of Lang Dau Festival

Lang Dau, also known as My Doi Village, is located in An My Commune, Binh Luc District, Ha Nam Province. This land is rich in historical traditions and has witnessed many self-defense wars throughout different periods. Among them, the most notable story is about the three sisters, A Dao, Nguyen Phuong, and Nguyen Que, who led a militia to fight against the Ming invaders in the early 15th century.

According to the Ngoc Pha temple records and local legends passed down by elders Nguyen Van Ban, Nguyen Van Ban, and Nguyen Van Han, the father of the three sisters originally came from Tien Lu, Hung Yen, and moved to Bo Xa, Binh Luc. He married Mrs. Thi Huong and together they had the three daughters.

When the Ming army invaded Vietnam, bringing devastation and looting to Trang Co Tho (now An My Commune), the village elders sought help from Bo Xa. A Dao, along with her sisters, rallied the villagers to form a militia. On the night of the 14th of the second lunar month, A Dao divided the forces into three units and launched a surprise attack on the Ming garrison with the support of the villagers of Co Tho.

The militia prepared rice cakes (banh day) as provisions, used sugarcane for water, and avoided lighting fires to maintain secrecy. The ambush was a resounding success, liberating Co Tho and bringing peace to the area.
 

To honor the contributions of the three heroines, locals built three temples in the directions where they led their troops into battle. These temples are dedicated to A Dao Tien Chua, Nguyen Phuong Dai Vuong, and Nguyen Que Dai Vuong. Additionally, Lang Dau built a large communal house with intricate carvings to serve as a shared place of worship and community gatherings.

The village’s grandest festival is held on the 15th of the second lunar month annually, featuring the performance "The Ming Garrison Assault: Reenacting the Heroic Deeds." This event is an opportunity for the present generation to pay homage to and remember the heroes who protected their homeland and country.

Unique Rituals of Lang Dau Festival

Festival Preparations

The festival is meticulously organized, with preparation overseen by the village Giap (clans). Each Giap competes in raising clean, healthy pigs for meat offerings and providing food for the reenactment activities. The rice for making banh day must be carefully selected to ensure the cakes are white, delicious, and chewy. The clans also cultivate or purchase high-quality sugarcane and fruits to use as offerings, symbolizing the provisions used by the militia.

Temporary structures are built in the southeastern part of the communal house to represent the Ming garrison. Certain families in the village are chosen to portray Ming soldiers’ quarters, with members dressing as Ming troops and participating in the reenactment.

Prior to the festival, the village divides the militia into three units and selects individuals with virtuous character to portray A Dao Tien Chua and her two generals, Nguyen Phuong and Nguyen Que. Other roles, such as the dragon dancers and Chu Dong Tu Tien Ong, are also carefully assigned. Preparations are carried out seriously to ensure the festival proceeds smoothly.

Reenactment of the Heroic Deeds

The reenactment begins after a solemn offering ceremony at midnight on the 14th, transitioning into the 15th day of the second lunar month. During this time, a ban on fire is observed throughout the village, including the communal house and pagodas.

The militia is supplied with banh day, pork, and sugarcane as provisions. The three forces are strategically positioned: the southern unit led by Nguyen Phuong, the eastern unit by Nguyen Que, and the western unit by A Dao Tien Chua. At the sound of drums and gongs, all three units launch a coordinated attack on the garrison replica. The Ming troops, portrayed by villagers, pretend to be defeated and flee in disarray.

The reenactment concludes with a dramatic depiction of the three heroines following a golden dragon, symbolized by Chu Dong Tu Tien Ong, as they ascend to the heavens. Villagers bid farewell with deep gratitude and respect.

Cultural Significance and Traditions

The Ritual of Exhuming “Bones of Ming Troops”

Another notable tradition is the ritual of exhuming "Ming troop bones," performed in the southern hamlet of Lang Dau. This practice is rooted in the belief that lingering "negative spirits of the Ming" caused health issues in the area. To address this, villagers exhumed and reburied the remains in other locations, reflecting the history of resistance against the Ming invaders.

The Lang Dau Festival vividly reenacts historical events while preserving the spiritual and cultural essence of the community. It offers a unique opportunity to witness history come alive, connecting participants to a legacy of courage and unity.

For those planning to experience the Lang Dau Festival, Tien Loc Palace Hotel provides the perfect base for a comfortable and luxurious stay. With top-notch services, modern amenities, and a prime location, the hotel ensures a memorable trip as you explore the cultural treasures of Ha Nam. Book your stay today and embark on an extraordinary journey through history and tradition!
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