Saint Micae Nguyễn Huy Mỹ was born in 1804. His father's hometown was in the hamlet of Đại Đăng, adjacent to Vân Sàng province (now Ninh Bình). He was the eldest son and was also called Nguyễn Huy Diệu. Later, he moved to live in the village of Kẻ Vĩnh, started a family, and had eight children.

He was orphaned of his father at age 10 and his mother at age 12, forcing him to live with his aunt. He was taught Chinese characters and medicine. At age 20, he married Thị Mến, the daughter of Mr. Trùm (Chief) Đích. Though still young, he was already known as sharp-witted, capable, and eloquent. When the village lacked a "cai tổng" (head of a canton), the villagers elected him, but he declined. Afterwards, Bishop Du advised him to accept the position of village chief ("lý trưởng") to defend the Church and help the faithful during the period of religious persecution. He obeyed and from then on was called Lý Mỹ.

From a young age, he was known for being well-behaved, dignified, and devout. After starting his family, his religious life became even more virtuous. He did not drink alcohol or gamble, focusing solely on his work, caring for his family, and practicing his faith. He and his wife lived in great harmony and affection. Lý Mỹ had compassion for those in difficulty and often gave alms. Bishop Liêu, the Bishop of Western Tonkin, testified that the Church and the people of Kẻ Vĩnh owed him a great debt. He never accepted gifts of thanks after helping someone, never embezzled a single coin from the people, adjudicated cases fairly, and meted out punishments clearly and impartially. The whole region praised the village of Kẻ Vĩnh for being more peaceful than other villages thanks to him.

The time he served as village chief coincided with a period of extremely harsh anti-religious edicts from the court. He remained steadfast and frequently advised people to hold firm to their faith. When the Governor ("tuần phủ") of Nam Định, Trịnh Quang Khanh, forced Christian soldiers in the region to step on a cross, Lý Mỹ, who was away at the time, immediately sent a letter to encourage the soldiers in Vĩnh Trị: "I beg you, brothers, to endure and not step on the cross. In just a few days, when I return home, I will come out to be with you."

On the morning of May 11, 1838, when soldiers of the Nam Định Governor arrived to surround Vĩnh Trị village, Lý Mỹ went to the house of his father-in-law, Mr. Trùm Đích, and said: "Father and son live and die together. What God has ordained has now arrived." Governor Trịnh Quang Khanh came up from his boat and sat at the village communal house, ordering all men aged 18 and above to report for a roll call and commanding the village elders: "You must hand over all the priests in this village, or else you will lose your heads." Lý Mỹ replied: "I beg to report to Your Excellency, if Your Excellency searches and catches a Western priest, a Vietnamese priest, or any banned religious articles, then I will offer my head."

Immediately after that pledge, soldiers escorted Father Năm and Mr. Trùm Đích to hand them over to the Governor. The Governor then ordered Lý Mỹ to be beaten, put in cangues (wooden stocks), taken down to a boat, and transported to the provincial capital along with Father Năm and Mr. Trùm Đích. The Governor had Lý Mỹ tortured to make him renounce his faith and step on the cross. However, not only was he not shaken, but he grew even more resolute.

Earlier, upon being arrested, he had asked his wife: "If I receive the grace of martyrdom for the faith, would Mother Mỹ consent?" His wife replied: "If my husband receives such a great grace, I consent wholeheartedly."

On August 12, 1838, after receiving news that Emperor Minh Mạng had endorsed the death sentence with his vermilion brush, all three men prepared their souls, devoutly received the Sacrament of Penance and the Body of Christ. That same day, Father Năm, Mr. Trùm Đích, and Lý Mỹ were executed by beheading at the Bảy Mẫu execution ground.

Village Chief Nguyễn Huy Mỹ was beatified on May 27, 1900, and canonized on June 19, 1988.