Far from the familiar tourist trails, stands \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i \u0110\u1ecbnh. It is a testament to both history and community. Today we will explore its story.
\u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i \u0110\u1ecbnh also known as \u0111\u00ecnh B\u1ea1ch Mai. It gets its name from the village it resides in. Locals call it \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i because of its grand scale and ancient feel.
Dedicated to Cao S\u01a1n \u0111\u1ea1i v\u01b0\u01a1ng, \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i’s origins trace back to the L\u00ea Trung H\u01b0ng era in the 17th century. A stone stele dated 1719 confirms this. The stele marks its initial construction. Over the centuries, \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i underwent several major renovations. These happened in 1774, 1829, and most recently in 1998. An inscription on a beam in the main hall commemorates the 1774 renovation. It notes the start and completion dates.
During the French resistance, \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i served as a revolutionary base. In 1930, Nguy\u1ec5n Phong S\u1eafc raised the Vi\u1ec7t Minh flag. He did this at the banyan tree. The tree stood in front of the \u0110\u00ecnh. This act boosted the revolutionary spirit. Between 1943 and 1944, the \u0110\u00ecnh distributed food to famine-stricken people. It also served as a storage depot for grain. At night, the courtyard became a training ground. Local militia practiced and learned martial arts. This was the beginning of the Vi\u1ec7t Minh force. From 1942 to 1945, the \u0110\u00ecnh hosted literacy classes. These classes were part of the popular education movement.
Architecturally, \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i follows a traditional design. It faces a slightly southern direction. The roof is made of Bat Trang tiles. At the center of the main roof sits a large inscription. It reads B\u1ea1ch Mai \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i.
Inside, \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i preserves many artifacts. These include royal decrees. Three decrees honor local deities. Seven decrees are for Cao S\u01a1n Th\u01b0\u1ee3ng \u0110\u1eb3ng th\u1ea7n. The oldest decree dates back to 1821. The newest is from 1924. Two steles from the L\u00ea to Nguy\u1ec5n dynasties are here. There is a wooden incense table from the 17th-18th centuries. Two ancient palanquins from the 18th century can be found. Also, you can see three incense burners. One stone burner is from the 17th-18th centuries. One ceramic burner is from the 18th-19th centuries. The bronze one is from the 19th century. The carvings reflect the L\u00ea dynasty. Common motifs are dragons, phoenixes, and clouds. Bells bear inscriptions from the Gia Long, Minh M\u1ea1ng, and Thi\u1ec7u Tr\u1ecb eras.
In the past, \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i held biannual festivals in February and August. These festivals involved communal cleaning. Different gi\u00e1p shared responsibilities. A larger village festival occurred in March. It featured a procession. There were also ceremonies, traditional opera, and chess games.
For over two centuries, \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i has stood the test of time. It remains a valuable historical and cultural site. It received National Historical-Architectural-Art Site status in 1996. As you leave \u0110\u00ecnh \u0110\u1ea1i, consider its enduring legacy. This place connects us to Vietnam’s past. It reminds us of community and resilience.