Dinh Tu Communal House

Trung A Great King was the son of Dao Thien and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuan in the Son Nam region, living during the time of Hung Due Vuong. When Thuc Phan led his troops to attack, he was recommended by Son Thanh to serve as the vanguard commander of the land forces. When he advanced to the area of Dinh Tu, Thuong Khe, and Thai Khe in Nghia Bang camp, then part of Ninh Son District, Quoc Oai Prefecture, Son Tay – now Kieu Phu Commune, Hanoi City – he had his troops rest. Seeing that the terrain here was surrounded by a dragon-courting, tiger-crouching position and had picturesque mountains and water, he ordered his soldiers to build a fort in response. From there, his army went to fight and won victories in many places. Later, he was besieged at this very place for 15 days; although there were no reinforcements, he received secret heavenly and earthly support, and he and his army broke the siege. After this battle, he held a banquet with the people of the areas in the camp and accepted their petition: “Allow this place to be used as a military post and later as a place of worship.” He left 15 taels of gold for the people of the camp to buy fields and ponds to provide for sacrificial rites.

After he passed away on the 22nd day of the fifth lunar month, the people petitioned the king, and he “agreed that the areas of Dinh Tu, Thuong Khe, and Thai Khe in Nghia Bang camp be made a place to protect the people and for worship. Confer the divine title Trung A Great King; yellow and red vestments and festival days are all prohibited. Bestow upon him the titles Hung Kiet, Trac Vi, Ho Quoc, An Dan Great King. Allow the areas of Dinh Tu, Thuong Khe, and Thai Khe in Nghia Bang camp all to receive the honorable titles and for the people to build temples for worship.” Through the Dinh, Tran, and early Le dynasties, the deity always responded, was granted many honorable titles, and the temple halls were restored and embellished for his worship.