Dinh To Communal House (Dinh To)

Dinh To Communal House (Dinh To) belongs to Dinh To village, Nguyen Trai commune, Thuong Tin district, now part of Phuc Loc village, Thuong Phuc commune. Dinh To Communal House is a space of worship and community activities closely associated with many generations of villagers. The communal house holds important significance in the people's spiritual and cultural life; it is where the community practices traditional beliefs, commemorates ancestors, and maintains the fine customs and habits of the homeland.

Dinh To Communal House lies in the land of Thuong Phuc, rich in historical, cultural, and craft traditions. The communal house was built according to the "toa tam thai" layout (three high earth mounds) in the center of the village. It faces southwest, the direction of deities and good fortune. The communal house includes items such as the gate, main hall, and rear sanctuary. Dinh To Communal House dates back more than 300 years; after many repairs, it still retains most of the carved panels of Le dynasty sculpture art. In addition, the communal house preserves many unique, precious, and valuable artifacts that contribute to understanding and research on ancient architecture and traditional sculpture art.

Dinh To Communal House was ranked as a National-level architectural and artistic relic in 2008. Today, Dinh To Communal House is not only a place for religious practice but also a space preserving community memory, educating tradition, and connecting generations of local people. The proper preservation and restoration in accordance with regulations and the promotion of the relic's value in connection with contemporary cultural life will contribute to preserving the identity of Dinh To village, while enriching the cultural heritage system of Thuong Phuc commune, a land rich in tradition.