Mau Temple (Dao Nuong Temple) and Festival

Mau Temple, also called Dao Nuong Temple, is one of 17 national historical and cultural relics of Tien Lu district, which lies near by the Road No. 39B, about 6km from Hung Yen city. It is situated in Dao Dang commune, Cao Cuong canton, Tien Lu district (The former Khoai Chau district in the feudal time). At present, the temple is located in Dao Dang village, Trung Nghia commune, Hung Yen city.

Mau Temple is dedicated to Dao Nuong (Dao Thi Hue), who lived at the end of the 15^th century. She was not only a beautiful girl but her singing and dancing talent was also very well known. When she was 18 years old, the Ming dynasty used the pretext of "supporting the Tran dynasty and fighting against the Ho dynasty" to invade our country. The Ming invaders set up camps in villages to pillage and kill villagers. They also forced men to be their coolies and women to be their housemaids. When the Ming invaders came to Dao Dang village, all villagers had escaped except Hue and her sisters. The enemy forced these girls to sing and serve them at parties. The Ming invaders gradually respected the girls for their singing and dancing talent. They usually visited her place for relaxation. Her cleverness gained their belief so they were negligent in defense. The Ming soldiers drank at Hue's house for all-night and after being drunken, they slept right there. In order to keep warm and prevent mosquitoes, they had an initiative to sleep in jute bags. They tied the bag’s mouth and slept in it. When they woke up, they untied the bag’s mouth and crept out. They asked Hue to help them tie the sleeping bag’s mouth for many times. Therefore, she found out how to kill the enemy.

She secretly told men who were hiding in the village to bring the Ming soldiers' sleeping bags to the riverbank. They attached these bags with heavy stones and tightly tied the bag’s mouth then threw them into the river. Even when the Ming soldiers woke up, they could not open up the bag’s mouth so that they became the bait for fish. This secret action was held many times, the number of Ming soldiers decreased but they could not find out the reason. Finally, the Ming invaders believed that their occupied land was "boisterous", "supernatural"… They were very scared and did not want to stay there any more so they struck camps and ran away. Dao Dang villagers returned to live in their village.

After Dao Thi Hue died, villagers built a temple to commemorate her. King Le Thai To nominated her as "The Goddess of Blessing" and mended her temple. Dao Nuong Temple is still located in Dao Xa village and has become a well-known historical and cultural relic as well as the pride of local people.

She was honoured as one of the founders of traditional cheo singing so during the festival, traditional cheo melodies are indispensable.

Every year, Mau Temple Festival is held from 1^st to 6^th February ( In lunar year). The festive days' atmosphere is very exciting and crowded. Many activities, such as cock fighting, and wrestling, hoop-la palying and cheo singing competitions… are organized in the festival.