Festival Trạng Nguyên Vũ Duệ in Vinh Lai Commune, Lam Thao District

The temple dedicated to Trạng Nguyên Vũ Duệ is located in the center of Trịnh Xá village, bordering Phù Phong village to the north, the Thao River to the east, Vĩnh Lại village to the south, and Tứ Xã to the west. Trịnh Xá village was formerly known as Kẻ Trịnh.

Trạng Nguyên Vũ Duệ, born as Vũ Nghĩa Chi, came from a poor peasant family. Orphaned at an early age, he was adopted by Mr. Vũ Công Cán, a member of the family clan, who provided him with education and care. Chi, born on the 8th day of the twelfth lunar month in the year of Mậu Tý (1468), excelled in his studies. At the age of 20, he passed the imperial examination in the Canh Tuất year, the 21st year of the Hồng Đức era, and was awarded the title of Trạng Nguyên. Vũ Duệ served the country during the reigns of kings Thánh Tông, Hiến Tông, Túc Tông, Uy Mục, Tương Dực, and Chiêu Tông. His dedication and service to the nation lasted for 32 years. Unable to bear the decline of the country during the Mac Đăng Dung rebellion, Vũ Duệ chose to end his life on the 16th day of the 8th lunar month in the year Nhâm Ngọ (1522).

Trạng Nguyên Vũ Duệ, at the age of 55, devoted 32 years of his life to the country, exemplifying the virtues of a “bright star” and a “loyal and upright” official. His life was characterized by unwavering loyalty and dedication to serving the people. Even after his passing, Trạng Nguyên Vũ Duệ left behind numerous timeless poems, essays, and inscriptions on the stone stelae at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

Every year on the 16th day of the 8th lunar month, the people of Trịnh Xá village organize a significant festival to honor Trạng Nguyên Vũ Duệ. The festival preparations begin early in the year, with the selection of a strong and respectful elderly man to play the role of Vũ Duệ. This person must come from a reputable family in the village and be well-connected within the community. The chosen individual is responsible for contributing three acres and two hectares of rice from his fields, which will be used for the ritual offerings throughout the week.

The festival starts with a ceremonial procession and offerings at the temple. The ritual includes the pouring of pure water collected from the Hạc River intersection and the soaking of special sticky rice, carefully selected using chopsticks, on the night of the 9th lunar day. The meticulous preparation emphasizes the significance of this annual cultural event.

On the morning of the 10th lunar day, the main ceremony takes place. After paying respects to the deities, the most anticipated part of the festival begins—the traditional rice pounding competition. The competition involves four teams representing the four main directions (East, West, South, and North) or the four major lineages in the village. The team whose rice cakes receive the highest praise not only gains great honor but is believed to bring prosperity to their respective direction or lineage for the entire year.

The festival also features various traditional games and contests, including tug-of-war, four-poster swing, shrimp catching, swimming, and archery. In the evening, the results are announced, and prizes are awarded for the first, second, and third places in each competition.

The Đền Trạng Nguyên Vũ Duệ festival is a major community event for Trịnh Xá village, with neighboring villages such as Vĩnh Lại and Cao Xá also participating in the celebrations and competitions.