Ngu Giap Communal Temple
Story
01Ngu Giap Communal Temple – Imprint of Tutelary Deity La Gia beside the Red River
Location: Lien Ha Village, O Dien Commune, Hanoi. The temple lies at the foot of the Huu Hong dike, near Lien Ha junction, facing north toward the Red River.
General introduction
Ngu Giap Communal Temple is a typical cultural–spiritual destination of the Dan Phuong area, worshiping Tutelary Deity La Phu Quan La Gia, a three-generation Prime Minister of the Trieu Dynasty of Nam Viet, as recorded in historical records. Legend has it that the people built a shrine to worship him right after he died in Ha Tri village. The earliest royal edicts (1620, 1637) confirm that the relic existed at least since the Le period. In the early 19th century, the shrine was expanded with a great communal hall and became a community gathering place like a village communal house. The temple was restored in 1901 and retains its current appearance.
Highlights of the destination
A treasure trove of precious artifacts: The temple keeps 34 royal edicts (20 from the Le period, 02 from the Tay Son period, 12 from the Nguyen period) and 01 genealogy composed in 1572; this is one of the relics preserving the most precious artifacts in Dan Phuong District.
Traditional carving art: 03 large wooden palanquins carved with dragons and tiger symbols; worship niches carved with dragons and stylized flowers and leaves; along with horizontal plaques, parallel sentences, incense pedestals, and canopies.
Riverside space: Located next to the dike and the Red River, it creates an open landscape imbued with the character of a Northern Delta riverside village.
Traditional festival (2nd day of the 2nd lunar month)
This is an ideal time for visitors to experience local cultural life:
Deity worship ceremony with a unique ritual of offering a plump buffalo.
Palanquin procession according to traditional ritual with three palanquins: the edict palanquin, the offering palanquin, and the ceremonial text palanquin.
Dragon boat race on the river, reenacting the ancient naval battles of Prime Minister La Gia's troops.
Folk games: cockfighting, Chinese chess, and many activities with prizes.
Heritage value
The temple was ranked as a National-level Architectural and Artistic Relic under Decision No. 1539VH/QD dated December 27, 1990.
Suggested experiences
Visit the architecture and ancient artifacts, learn about the historical story of Prime Minister La Gia, join the early-spring festival, and combine it with sightseeing on the Red River
