Centuries-old relic in the heart of the city

The three-entrance gate reflects on the blue lake surface. Photo: Nhat Minh

The place mentioned here is hidden in alley number 48 Phan Chau Trinh street, Hai Chau ward, where Hai Chau communal house is present silently in the midst of modern life.

From the outside, seeing the five-colored flag fluttering in the wind evokes the spirit of the old village. The deeper we go, the more open the space becomes, and the familiar symbols of the Vietnamese countryside gradually become clearer.

The majestic three-entrance gate with four Chinese characters "Hai Chau Chinh Xa", the shady ancient banyan tree, the lake and the spacious communal house yard are places for cultural and religious activities.

All blend in a harmonious setting with the communal house symbolizing humanity, the banyan tree reaching up to the sky symbolizing yang reflecting on the lake surface symbolizing yin, evoking a feeling of peace and tranquility.

Hai Chau communal house, this national historical and cultural relic is one of the earliest communal houses built in Da Nang .

According to documents, the communal house was built in 1806 in Nghia Loi area, on the east bank of Han River to worship the village's tutelary god and the ancestors of 42 clans from Tinh Gia district ( Thanh Hoa ) who followed King Le Thanh Tong to the South to reclaim land in 1471.

Having gone through many historical events and ups and downs, along with three restorations, the communal house still retains its ancient appearance as a symbol of the resilience and will of the people of Da Nang.

The communal house architectural complex includes the Ancestor Temple, the 43-family temple - Kinh Ai Temple, the Thanh Hoang Temple and the Lady Temple.

Inside the communal house, there are still many horizontal lacquered boards and parallel sentences in Chinese characters, gilded with gold, dating back several hundred years, including a horizontal lacquered board with four Chinese characters "Van co anh linh" created in the 17th year of Gia Long (1818) along with some precious relics such as a 1.3m high bronze bell, 3 marble steles... with great historical and cultural value. The decorative reliefs inside the main hall are also unique works of art, expressing the quintessence of traditional Vietnamese sculpture.

Every year on the tenth day of the third lunar month, this place is bustling with excitement in preparation for the festival. The Hai Chau Communal House Festival consists of two parts: the ceremony and the festival. The ceremony includes the vigil ceremony, the main ceremony and the incense offering rituals, which are solemnly held to show respect and gratitude to the ancestors who have contributed to the establishment of villages and the development of the business to leave to future generations.

Meanwhile, the festival is bustling with cultural and artistic activities, competitions, and folk games such as tug of war, stick pushing, sack racing, etc., creating a jubilant, excited atmosphere that connects the community.

Today, Hai Chau communal house is not only a spiritual and cultural institution but also a tourist destination for those who want to find peace in the heart of the bustling city. As a symbol of the connection between the past and the present, between tradition and modernity, Hai Chau communal house will continue to shine as a soul in the heart of the city despite the changes of time.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/di-tich-tram-nam-giua-long-do-thi-3304878.html