Hagiography of the Two Mistressess of Cam Đường in the Chiềng On Village, Lào Cai Province

In a bygone era, Lào Cai province blossomed into a vital crossroads, an ever-flowing tapestry connecting the fertile lowlands to the rugged highlands. Amid this backdrop, two young women, in the spring of their twenties, embarked on a remarkable journey. Laden with the vibrant tapestries of their homeland in Đình Bảng village, nestled within Bắc Ninh province, these intrepid merchants ventured to the highlands in pursuit of trade. Their footsteps found sanctuary in the welcoming embrace of Chiềng On village. With each passing day, the threads of their kinship with the villagers wove tighter, binding hearts in an unspoken bond.

But, as seasons cycled, the two young women’s presence began to wane. The village watched, puzzled by their absence, until the day dawned when a somber truth washed ashore – the lifeless bodies of these young adventurers had returned to their beloved village. The passage of time places these poignant events against the backdrop of the Qing dynasty’s dominion over Vietnam.

In the hallowed whispers of the elders, the poignant tale unfurled. These two courageous souls had ventured as clandestine couriers, bearing vital provisions to the Lào Cai region, fortifying the resolute soldiers who stood as a bulwark against the invasive tide. Sadly, their benevolent mission met a cruel fate, as they were apprehended by the enemy, their lives extinguished, and their remains cast into the flowing waters.

Touched by the profundity of this story, Chiềng On village, forever changed, raised a shrine in tribute to these two kind-hearted Mistresses. From that point forward, an enchantment began to ripple through the lives of the villagers, bestowing upon them abundance and prosperity. Word of the shrine’s mystical influence soon transcended the confines of local folklore, beckoning not only the native faithful but also pilgrims from distant horizons. They came to pay homage and offer their devotion to these gentle Mistresses, whose eternal blessings enriched lives with prosperity and peace.

Inspired by Their hagiography, the court literature hymn dedicated to Them sings:

“…In baskets brimming with threads diverse,
Wool, hemp, silk, shades in the universe.
Two Mistresses bear earth and sky’s worth,
On winding paths, they bring warmth to birth…”