Is that the scent of incense I detect? We are standing before \u0110\u00ecnh th\u00f4n H\u1ea1. This communal house is more than just a building. It is a repository of local history and culture.
\u0110\u00ecnh th\u00f4n H\u1ea1 is located in Li\u00ean Trung commune \u0110an Ph\u01b0\u1ee3ng district Hanoi. The structure sits gracefully amid Hạ village. Once Hạ Trì commune Qu\u1ed1c Oai district it merged with Trung village to form Li\u00ean Trung. The house lies about 20 km from Hanoi’s city center.
Legend states that Cu00f4ng Lang son of Thánh phu1ee5 Hùng Trác and Thánh mu1eabu Hà Hoa helped Hạ Trì village build dykes. These dykes were to combat floods. He transformed the fields turning Hạ Trì into a prosperous village. During a time of peace invaders suddenly threatened the land. King Hùng tasked Thánh Tản Viên with repelling the invaders. Cu00f4ng Lang rallied many young men from Hạ Trì to join the fight. After their victory King Hùng rewarded his generals and Cu00f4ng Lang handsomely. Later Cu00f4ng Lang asked the King to return home and assist his people. He wanted to help them with silkworm rearing and weaving. The King agreed and bestowed gold jade and jewels upon him. After his death the people of Thôn Hạ built a temple. It was built where he had died. They honored him as their village’s Thành hoàng.
\u0110\u00ecnh th\u00f4n H\u1ea1 was once grand. Over time and through historical events it has lost its original form. Currently the structure has a “dinh” shaped architectural design. It includes the Tiền tế Đại bái and Hậu cung sections. The Đại bái section contains five rooms with walls constructed in the traditional style. The pillars and beams are simple and sturdy. Two side rooms feature 50cm high brick platforms dedicated to various deities. From the Tiền tế across the courtyard you arrive at the Đại bái.
The Đại bái section only has three rooms with similar construction to the Tiền tế. The central room houses incense and ceremonial objects. Here visitors offer gifts to the patron deity. The Hậu cung connects to the central room of the Đại bái. Two rooms run lengthwise creating the “dinh” shape known as “chuôi vồ”.
Inside the Hậu cung sits the long ngai. It is a bài vị dedicated to Cu00f4ng Lang. The long ngai is beautifully decorated with gold paint and features dragon arms. It is styled in the Nguyễn era. The artifacts still present today hold significant artistic value. Examples are the Nguyễn era bát bửu set and the chấp kích set. The incense holder and lamp bear the marks of time. Notably 12 sắc phong decrees remain intact. The oldest dates back to the Lê dynasty. It is dated Dương Hòa 5 1639 up to the Nguyễn dynasty Khải Định 9 1924. There is also a thần phả book.
In 1990 the Ministry of Culture and Information recognized \u0110\u00ecnh th\u00f4n H\u1ea1 as a historical and cultural relic. It is a reminder of the past.