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Sunday, 16/3/2025 20:16 [GMT+7]
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The ancient charm of Van Xa communal house

By DA NANG Today / DA NANG Today
March 16, 2025, 12:43 [GMT+7]

The Van Xa Village Communal House, a nationally recognized historical, architectural, and artistic heritage site located in Huong Van Ward, Huong Tra Town, Hue City, was built in the year At Suu (1865) during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc. This communal house is one of the most significant historical and architectural landmarks of the former imperial capital. Notably, Van Xa Village is also the maternal homeland of Emperor Minh Mang, the second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty. The communal house serves as a venue for traditional ceremonies held in spring and on major festive occasions throughout the year, honoring the ancestors and preserving cultural and spiritual heritage. These rituals reflect the deep-rooted traditions of the local community.

Da Nang Weekend is pleased to present to our readers a collection of images capturing the Van Xa Village Communal House, photographed by Xuan Dat from Hue City.

The Van Xa Communal House is a traditional
The Van Xa Communal House is a traditional "nha ruong" structure with a three-compartment, two-winged design, built on a spacious plot of land. Its premises are enclosed by La Thanh walls on all four sides.
The binh phong (screen wall) is built in a honeycomb style, with an inscription tablet at the front detailing the history of its construction and restoration.
The binh phong (screen wall) is built in a honeycomb style, with an inscription tablet at the front detailing the history of its construction and restoration.
On either side of the front facade, embossed reliefs of dragon-horse are intricately crafted.
On either side of the front facade, embossed reliefs of dragon-horse are intricately crafted.
The rafter system, decorative tiled roof, and intricate carvings showcase exquisite craftsmanship, primarily featuring the
The rafter system, decorative tiled roof, and intricate carvings showcase exquisite craftsmanship, primarily featuring the the "Four Sacred Creatures" (Tu linh) and the "Two Dragons Flanking the Moon" (Luong long chau nguyet), which are hallmark motifs of Nguyen dynasty architecture.
The communal house serves as a place of worship for the village’s tutelary deity and the ancestral founders of the Le, Tran, and Cao families. It also honors two revered historical figures: Tran Mau Que (1688–1762), former Administrative Officer of Bo Chonh Dinh, and Tran Hung Dat (1746–1810), former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
The communal house serves as a place of worship for the village's tutelary deity and the ancestral founders of the Le, Tran, and Cao families. It also honors two revered historical figures: Tran Mau Que (1688–1762), former Administrative Officer of Bo Chonh Dinh, and Tran Hung Dat (1746–1810), former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
The main hall is a
The main hall is a "nha ruong" structure with a three-compartment, two-winged design, featuring 54 wooden pillars of varying sizes and heights.
The architecture of Van Xa Communal House is considered a bridge between folk architecture and imperial design, reflecting the distinctive architectural style of the Nguyen Dynasty in the latter half of the 19th century.
The architecture of Van Xa Communal House is considered a bridge between folk architecture and imperial design, reflecting the distinctive architectural style of the Nguyen Dynasty in the latter half of the 19th century.

Translating by HONG VAN

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