Choi Temple

Choi Temple located in Xuan Ky Village, Soc Son Commune, Hanoi City, it is a historical and cultural relic ranked by the Hanoi City People's Committee in 2007. The name “Choi Temple” has been passed down for a long time, associated with the place name and cultural life of the local community.

According to folk legends handed down locally, Choi Temple is the place of worship for Duc Hoa Nhac Dai Vuong, who had the merit of forging weapons to help Saint Giong fight the An invaders during the reign of the sixth Hung King. The image of Duc Hoa Nhac is associated with the forging trade, the spirit of labor, craftsmanship, and the tradition of resisting foreign invasion of ancient Vietnamese residents. After completing the task of helping the king and Saint Giong fight the invaders, he returned to the Xuan Ky area, manifested as a saint, and was honored by the people as the Village Tutelary God, and a temple was built to worship him.

The value of the relic lies not only in its system of legends and folk beliefs but is also evidenced by the documents and artifacts still preserved. The temple currently has 05 stone steles, including a stele dating as early as the second year of Tu Duc (1849), along with a worship throne, incense table, procession palanquin, parallel sentences, and many valuable worship objects. This is an important source of materials contributing to the study of the history, beliefs, customs, and traditional art of the Xuan Ky – Soc Son area.

In terms of architecture, Choi Temple bears the characteristics of a traditional village temple in the Northern Delta. The structure is arranged in the style of “Dinh” character layout, comprising the Tien Te and Hau Cung. The Tien Te has five bays, with a roof covered in local tiles; the truss system, parallel sentences, incense table, and wooden components bear the marks of traditional art. The Hau Cung is a sacred worship space, housing the throne and memorial tablet of Duc Hoa Nhac Dai Vuong. The surrounding greenery, courtyard, garden, and rural village space contribute to the ancient and tranquil appearance of the relic.

Choi Temple is also associated with the local revolutionary history. During the August Revolution and the resistance war against the French, the Dong Xuan area was a base area for revolutionary activities; the relic was once associated with the activities of the Party base and the local revolutionary movement. Through this, Choi Temple is not only a space of worship but also contributes to preserving the historical memory of the community.

An outstanding value of Choi Temple is traditional festival maintained through many generations. The palanquin procession and offering rituals, together with folk cultural activities, express the people's reverence for the Village Tutelary God, while also creating a space for community activities, traditional education, and connecting generations. The festival is also an occasion for local people to remember the merits of Duc Hoa Nhac Dai Vuong and to preserve the distinctive cultural customs of the Xuan Ky countryside.

During its existence, the relic has been affected by time and natural conditions. In order to preserve and promote the heritage values, the project restoration and embellishment of Choi Temple has been implemented with the requirement to preserve as much as possible the original elements, traditional architecture, and historical and cultural values of the relic. The project was inaugurated and put into use in early 2026, creating favorable conditions for the people to practice worship, organize cultural activities, and promote the value of the relic in contemporary life.

Today, Choi Temple is a meaningful cultural, religious, and historical address of Soc Son Commune, a place where values of folk legends, artistic architecture, historical artifacts, and community life converge. Preserving Choi Temple is not only about conserving an ancient structure but also about safeguarding the memories, beliefs, and cultural identity built up and passed down through generations by the people of Xuan Ky over time.