Nghiem Xa Communal House

According to village elders, Nghiem Xa Communal House was built in the Dinh Ty year, the second year of the Vinh Tri era, i.e., 1677, under King Le Hy Tong. Over more than three centuries, the communal house has retained outstanding historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic values, becoming a symbol of the Nghiem Xa people's tradition of valuing education and talent.

The communal house worships 13 former sages, including Confucius and 12 people who passed the highest imperial examinations, such as Trang Nguyen Nguyen Hien, Second-rank Hoang Giap Ngo Uoc, Censor-in-Chief Ngo Hoan, Surveillance Commissioner Nguyen Huu Tac, and many other examination laureates. Notably, many did not come from Nghiem Xa but are still revered by the people, reflecting the tradition of honoring learning and respecting talent.

The communal house was built imposingly with five bays and two side wings, facing west; in front is a lotus pond, and to the right is the village pagoda. Initially it had a single-row layout; during the Nguyen dynasty, a rear sanctuary was added. The main hall has a wooden truss system, fish-scale tile roof, curved corner ridges, and lim wood panel doors.

In particular, the communal house still preserves many 17th-century folk carvings with themes such as “Solitary Dragon,” “Fish Transforming into Dragon,” and “Two Dragons Fighting for the Pearl,” reflecting the spiritual life and art of the people of that time.

With its outstanding values, Nghiem Xa Communal House was recognized as a National Architectural and Artistic Relic in 1993.