Thọ Lão Communal House

Location: The communal house is located in Thọ Lão village, Thọ Xuân commune, about 35 km west of the center of Hanoi capital.

Worshipped figures: The communal house worships the "Four Great Kings", who are heroic historical figures of the Trần dynasty, including: Quốc Vương Thiên Tử Đại Vương Trần Liễu, Empress Dowager Lã Thị Thái Nương, Thiên Quan Đại Vương Trần Quốc Tuấn (Trần Hưng Đạo), and Tá Bộ Đại Vương Trần Quốc Thành.

2. History of formation

Although there are no longer accurate records of the year of construction, based on the preserved stone elephant pair relic, it can be inferred that the communal house was founded during the Later Lê period (17th–18th centuries).

After a long period of deterioration, the communal house has been repaired many times. The most recent was a major restoration and embellishment in 1998 using socialized funding from contributions by local people and visitors from afar.

Space and layout: The communal house faces southeast and is located on an open plot of land, with a layout in the shape of the Chinese character "Đinh", including the Nghi môn (ceremonial gate), Đại bái (main worship hall), and Hậu cung (rear sanctuary).

Nghi môn architecture: Built in the style of imposing ornamental pillars. The tops of the pillars are decorated with four phoenixes with heads joined together, and the lantern section is decorated with the four sacred creatures and four seasons. Connecting both sides is a Pháo gate in the "two-tier, eight-roof overlapping-eave" style with soft lime-mortar molded and painted details.

Đại bái and Hậu cung buildings: The Đại bái is spacious, comprising 3 bays and 2 lean-tos, designed as a four-roofed building with curving upswung corners; on the ridge are two dragons facing the Moon. The load-bearing frame is made of sturdy imitation-wood concrete in the style of "upper stacked giường con nhị, lower cốn and bẩy". The Hậu cung is a 3-bay house connected to the Đại bái.

Precious relics: In addition to the pair of stone elephants dating from the 18th century, the communal house currently preserves an incense table with bát bửu, 4 horizontal plaques, and 8 pairs of gilded and lacquered couplets.

4. Distinctive traditional festival

Time: The village's main festival is held for 3 days, from the 8th to the 10th day of the third lunar month every year.

Rituals: The sequence of rituals begins on the 7th with a water procession to the communal house for purification. The 8th, 9th, and 10th are the main worship days with solemn rites such as: worship of the saints, palanquin procession, literature procession, and saint procession.

Festival part: Alongside the spiritual rituals, the villagers organize many attractive folk games, creating a joyful atmosphere, strengthening community bonds, and promoting the nation's tradition of 'uống nước nhớ nguồn' (when drinking water, remember its source).

Decision No. 973/QĐ-UBND dated February 18, 2013 of the City People's Committee on ranking the Thọ Lão communal house historical and architectural relic at city level.