Dai Yen Communal House Relic

Dai Yen Communal House is associated with the “Thirteen Camps” area to the west of the Thang Long citadel from the Ly dynasty. The communal house worships the village tutelary god, Princess Ngoc Hoa, who is said to have been a girl only 9 years old but who made great contributions in the resistance war against the Champa army commanded by Che Ma Na in 1104. Behind the Rear Palace of the communal house there is still a high earthen mound, said to be the tomb of Princess Ngoc Hoa.

According to legend passed down locally, during the Ly dynasty there was a man named Tran Huan, from Phuc Lam commune, Yen Dinh district, Thanh Hoa province today, who went to Thang Long to teach and married a woman from Dai Yen. His wife traded shrimp and fish and frequently went to An Ban (Dai Bi) market. One day, she picked up a silk cloth dropped by a woman going to market. Being honest and not coveting others' property, she tried to return it to the person who lost it.

That night, she dreamed that an old man appeared and gave her a precious pearl. After the dream, she became pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful girl; the couple named her Ngoc Hoa.

Ngoc Hoa grew up with her mother in Dai Bi. At that time, the Champa army led by Che Ma Na invaded our country. The king issued a proclamation to mobilize troops against the enemy. Although only 9 years old, Ngoc Hoa showed intelligence, bravery, and resourcefulness. She disguised herself as a boy to join the army and followed her father to battle.

When our army advanced into enemy territory, many battles took place but victory was not yet decided. Noticing that the enemy soldiers were fond of betel and tobacco, Ngoc Hoa devised a plan to pretend to be a girl selling betel and tobacco and bring goods into the enemy camp. Accustomed to chewing betel and smoking, and attracted by the girl's beautiful appearance, the enemy gathered in large numbers around her stall without taking precautions. Thanks to this, Ngoc Hoa had the opportunity to observe and gather information about the enemy situation. When the time came, she signaled our army to attack. Surprised by the ambush, the enemy was defeated and had to withdraw their troops home.

After the victory, Ngoc Hoa asked to return to her mother's hometown in Dai Bi. Legend says she passed away in the area where Dai Yen Communal House now stands. The king mourned her, posthumously conferred on her the title Princess Ngoc Hoa and ordered the establishment of a temple and communal house for the people to worship.

Dai Yen Communal House still preserves many couplets praising the merits of Princess Ngoc Hoa, including the line:

“One battle, the army returned, the Yen land shook the universe
At nine she defeated the enemy, supporting the Ly dynasty’s rivers and mountains.”

Rough translation:

“One victorious battle and the army returned, making the Yen land resound throughout the universe;
At nine years old she defeated the enemy, supporting the Ly dynasty’s enduring mountains and rivers.”

Another couplet reads:

“From the female world emerged a hero, following in the footsteps of the Trung and Trieu queens,
The royal court issued a long proclamation; in life and death she was extraordinary.”

Rough translation:

“From the female world emerged a hero, following in the footsteps of Trung and Trieu;
The royal court issued a decree; in life and death she was extraordinary.”