Hoi Phu Temple

Hoi Phu Temple was formerly a shrine built on the residence of Mr. Dao Ky and Mrs. Phuong Dung for worship after they passed away. The temple now stands behind and to the right of the communal house; in front of the temple there are still two ancient muom trees that stay green all year round. The temple was recently restored in 2022, reconstructed according to the architecture of the old shrine.

According to legend, Hoi Phu Temple was formerly called Cu Trinh Temple, also known as Cu Trinh Shrine—according to the surviving large plaque, which reads “Tinh Tuc Shrine”, was the residence of Dao Ky, a general of the Hai Ba Trung era. This is a house with a ground plan whose front section is in the shape of the character “nhat” and whose rear section is in the shape of the character “ding”, built in the gable-end style with closed gables; the ngai arms have ornamental pillars decorated with eye-catching unicorn-courting motifs.

The front ceremonial building has three bays, with a roof covered in local tiles interspersed with many old shoe-shaped tile ends. The interior of the front building has uneven dimensions. This building is left empty, with four square pillars supporting the roof; the eaves beams are carved with flowers and leaves, and statues of two guardian deities are molded at both ends of the building. High above is a large plaque inscribed: “Tinh Tuc Shrine” and two couplets.

Outside the inner building, a half-bay lean-to was built and then connected to three longitudinal bays forming the rear sanctuary, creating a ground plan in the shape of the character “ding”. In the rear sanctuary are two dragon thrones dedicated to Mr. Dao Ky and Mrs. Phuong Dung. The thrones are made in the kneeling-leg style; the main face at the base of each throne is a tiger-face motif, in the artistic style of the 19th century. On both sides of the altar are two altars for his subordinates (local people still call them the Nhi Dien subordinates). The decoration on the architecture mainly consists of cloud patterns and stylized flowers and leaves...

To express gratitude for the merits of the village tutelary god, every year the people of Hoi Phu Village hold a festival from the 13th to the 15th day of the third lunar month. The main festival day is the 15th. This festival has existed for a long time; in 1996, after the relic was ranked, the people restored the procession ceremony for welcoming the palanquin. In 2005, after the restoration of Hoi Phu communal house was completed, the festival was held on a larger scale. In years when the main festival is held, the village, together with six villages that worship Dao Ky and Phuong Dung, jointly organizes the procession to welcome the palanquin and holds a ceremony at the tomb of General Dao Ky in Phuc Tho Village, Mai Lam Commune.