Saint Nicôla Bùi Đức Thể was born in 1792 in Kiên Trung village, Xuân Trường prefecture, Nam Định province (now belonging to Trung Thành parish, Bùi Chu Diocese). At age 47, he joined the army but was arrested just one month later for declaring himself a Catholic.

In the autumn of 1837, by order of Emperor Minh Mạng, the Governor-General ordered two doors to be opened: on the right was a crucifix for those who would renounce their faith by stepping on it to go free; on the left were shackles for those who would not renounce it. Most soldiers chose the right door, but Nicôla Bùi Đức Thể along with 14 others courageously entered the left door and were imprisoned.

After eight months in prison, despite being tortured, he remained steadfast. However, swayed by the sweet promises of an official, he and two friends, Đinh Văn Đạt and Phan Viết Huy, had a moment of weakness, accepting 10 quan (Vietnamese currency) to renounce their faith.

Immediately afterward, their consciences tormented them. Through prayer and the guidance of Father Tuyên and Father Năng, Mr. Bùi Đức Thể and Mr. Phan Viết Huy resolved to atone for their sin. The two men walked for twenty days to the capital, intercepting Emperor Minh Mạng's route to present a petition reaffirming their faith. The enraged emperor ordered their arrest.

The two men bravely accepted the sentence of dismemberment (lingchi). On June 13, 1839, they were executed at the Thuận An estuary, Huế.

Saint Nicôla Bùi Đức Thể was beatified on May 27, 1900, and canonized on June 19, 1988.