The Minh The Festival was officially restored in 2002 on the foundation of the old Minh The Association. Before that, during the Mac Dynasty in the mid-16th century, the Empress Dowager Vu Thi Ngoc Toan (wife of the retired Emperor Mac Dang Dung) came to Lan Nieu hamlet (today's Hoa Lieu) to spend money and campaign to restore Hoa Lieu pagoda, then together with the villagers established the Minh The Proclamation (1561). It stipulated what could be done, what must be done, and what must not be done for all groups from village officials to villagers.
In 2017, the Minh The Festival was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, becoming one of the “unique” festival rituals in Vietnam. Thereby, it also contributes to enriching the culture of Thuan Thien countryside and promoting and developing spiritual tourism in Kien Thuy district.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Mr. Pham Van Tai - Chairman of Thuan Thien Commune People's Committee - affirmed: With a historical tradition of more than 500 years, Minh The festival still retains its value because of its practicality and connection with modern life.
On the main festival day, the villagers set up an oath stand in front of Hoa Lieu Pagoda. The altar is arranged very simply and solemnly, with the most prominent being the official hat – placed solemnly on the front of the altar. The ancient hat of the village tutelary god is placed in the highest position on the oath stand. At the festival, the people and visitors can witness the ritual activities. Accordingly, the celebrant uses a knife to draw a large circle in the middle of the oath stand and sticks the knife into the middle of that circle.
The representative of the secretariat read the Minh The Oath, which stated: "If you use public property for public purposes, you will be supported by the gods. If you have a greedy heart, and use public property for private purposes, you will be killed by the gods..."
This year's festival was organized by the locality on a solemn, joyful, safe and economical scale.
