In 40 AD, under the brutal oppression and exploitation of the Eastern Han dynasty, Trung Trac and her sister Trung Nhi raised the banner of rebellion, calling on heroes from all directions and the people of the country to rise up and drive out the Han invaders. The uprising was widely supported by people across the country, creating a powerful force. Wherever the Hai Ba Trung forces went, the Han authorities and armies were defeated.
Comrade Nguyen Manh Quyen – Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee – presents the Decision to representatives of officials and residents of Hai Ba Trung District
In a short time, Hai Ba Trung captured 65 districts and counties, covering the entire territory of Vietnam at that time. The Han prefect Tu Dinh fled, ending the harsh domination of the Eastern Han. The country was liberated, and Trung Trac was honored by generals and the people as Queen, taking the title Trung Nu Vuong, establishing her capital in Me Linh. Three years later, in 43 AD, the invaders returned, and Hai Ba Trung continued to lead the army and the people in resisting the enemy. According to legend, on the 6th day of the second lunar month in the year Quy Mao, after a decisive battle and refusing to fall into enemy hands, the sisters sacrificed themselves by plunging into the Hat River. Their heroic spirit turned into stone statues, which floated downstream to Dong Nhan Beach. The villagers of Dong Nhan at that time retrieved the statues with red cloth in a ceremonial procession. In 1142, King Ly Anh Tong ordered the construction of a temple dedicated to Hai Ba Trung on the riverbank. In 1819, due to riverbank erosion, the temple was relocated to the Vo Mieu area, Huong Vien village, Tho Xuong District, now Dong Nhan Ward, Hai Ba Trung District.
Hai Ba Trung Temple, Pagoda and Communal House is a rare and distinctive heritage complex in the city center, highlighted by Hai Ba Trung Temple with its “inner courtyard, outer hall” architecture. The temple preserves many precious relics, including 27 royal edicts from the Le and Nguyen dynasties, eight statues, two ancient stone steles recounting the story of Hai Ba Trung, and two sets of royal palanquins from the Nguyen dynasty. The complex is built on a site with auspicious feng shui, bringing peace and prosperity to local residents. Recognizing its historical significance and value, in 2019, the Prime Minister designated Hai Ba Trung Temple, Pagoda and Communal House as a Special National Heritage Site.
Beyond its remarkable architectural and artistic value, the complex also holds rich cultural significance. The Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival is uniquely celebrated in three locations across Hanoi, reflecting the strong community bonds and respect for the two Queens. Annual ceremonies follow traditional rituals, solemn and sacred. The festival includes the “cap thuy” ceremony, bringing water from the Red River to the temple for the traditional wooden bathing rite.
The Hai Ba Trung Festival is held annually to honor and remember the two outstanding national heroines – Trung Trac and Trung Nhi – as well as the talented generals and brave volunteers who wrote the bright golden pages of our nation’s history in the early years of nation-building and defense.
Despite the vicissitudes of history, the image and great achievements of Hai Ba Trung are eternally remembered by the people. The Special National Heritage Site of Hai Ba Trung Temple, Pagoda and Communal House has become a sacred address, a place to express profound gratitude of generations toward the two national heroines. Each year, the Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival is held with grandeur, featuring many traditional rituals, attracting a large number of locals and visitors to offer incense, pay respects, and sincerely commemorate the merits of the two Queens.
With its immense cultural significance, contributing to the richness of the nation’s cultural heritage, the traditional Hai Ba Trung Temple Festival has been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Special National Heritage Site has been recognized as a tourist destination by Hanoi People’s Committee. This is not only a source of pride for the residents of Hai Ba Trung District and the local community but also a milestone opening new opportunities for the heritage values to be more widely propagated in the future.
Nguyen Tam