Hai Chau Village Communal House - A centuries-old relic in heart of Da Nang
DNO - Right in the heart of the bustling center of Da Nang, there is still a quiet space that preserves the strong features of the countryside - the Hai Chau Village Communal House, located at alley No.48 Phan Chau Trinh, Hai Chau Ward.
Recognized as a national historical and cultural relic, the Hai Chau Village Communal House is one of the earliest communal houses built in Da Nang.
According to documents, the communal house was built in 1806 in the Nghia Loi area on the eastern bank of the 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.
Through its ups and downs and historical changes, along with three major restorations, the communal house still retains its ancient appearance and stands as a symbol of the resilience and will of the people of Da Nang.
Its architectural complex includes the Ancestor Worship House, the 43 Clan Worship House - Kinh Ai Temple, the main shrine of the village’s tutelary god, and the Lady Temple.
Inside the communal house, many horizontal lacquered boards and parallel sentences in Han characters are preserved. The relic also houses valuable artifacts such as a 1.3-meter bronze bell and three marble steles, all of great historical and cultural significance.
Every year on the 10th day of the third lunar month, the place becomes bustling with the traditional Hai Chau Village Communal House Festival.
The festival consists of two parts: ceremonial rituals and festive activities. In which, the ceremonial rituals include offerings and ceremonies to pay homage to the village founders who established and developed the community.
Meanwhile, the festive part features cultural performances, competitions, and folk games such as tug-of-war, stick pushing, and sack races, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere that strengthens community bonds.
Today, the Hai Chau Village Communal House is not only a spiritual and cultural institution but also a tourist destination for those who want to seek peace in the heart of the bustling city.
As a symbol that connects the past with the present, and tradition with modernity, the communal house continues to shine as part of the city’s soul despite the changes of time.