Rua Village Communal House

The Rua Village Communal House Festival has existed since before 1945. Before 1945, the festival was held from the 14th day of the first lunar month to the 17th day of the first lunar month. At that time, Rua Village had a field called ruộng cúi in the Muong language and ruộng lợn in the Kinh language. Any household that cultivated this field that year had to give the village a pig for slaughter. This pig would be used on the 14th day of the first lunar month to wrap bánh chưng and as prizes for games… Through historical ups and downs, the festival had periods when it was suspended and not held; in 1946, because the village was burned down by the enemy, Rua Communal House did not escape either. Later, in 1998, when the communal house was rebuilt, the festival was held again, and to date it is only held for two days, the 14th and 15th days of the first lunar month. The main ceremony is on the 15th day of the first lunar month.

At Rua Communal House, the Three Holy Lords are worshipped, including Đức Thánh Tản Viên Sơn—also commonly known by the people as Tản Viên Sơn Thánh or Sơn Tinh—one of the four saints honored as the “Four Immortals” in Vietnamese folk belief. For thousands of years, the image of the god of Ba Vi Mountain has become an immortal symbol of strength, wisdom, and the spirit of mastering nature. The entire Ba Vi region worships him, and Rua Village Communal House is no exception. According to historical records and legends, Holy Lord Tan was originally named Nguyen Tuan, born in the Ba Vi mountain region. From childhood, he showed extraordinary intelligence, extraordinary strength, and compassion. The local people regarded him as a guardian deity who helped the weak and protected peaceful life from natural disasters.

Ba Vi Mountain is therefore regarded as the 'sacred land' of Holy Lord Tan. In folk beliefs, this place is a connection point between heaven, earth, and people, where deities reside and shelter the people.

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Not only limited to legend, the image of Tan Vien Son Thanh has penetrated deeply into the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Hundreds of communal houses, temples, shrines, and palaces have been built to worship him, stretching from Ba Vi and Son Tay to many regions of the northern plains. This is clear evidence of the enduring vitality of folk beliefs. In the belief system, Holy Lord Tan is regarded as an agricultural deity. People often pray to him for 'favorable rain and wind, and bumper harvests.' When facing drought or flood, villagers come to the temple to pray for his protection. This shows strong faith in Saint Tan's protective role in daily life.

At Rua Communal House, Đức Thánh Tản Viên Sơn has been worshipped for many generations. Through many generations of forefathers, he remains a belief regarded as an agricultural deity, a deity embodying the strength of solidarity, human wisdom, and harmony with nature in the minds and consciousness of the local people. The festival is also held to commemorate the Holy Lord. In the past, the Rua Communal House Festival was held grandly once every three years; later, it was held grandly every year.