Dinh Sung - A unique architectural heritage

(Baonghean)Located in the northern part of Yen Thanh district, Lang Thanh commune has an ancient communal house known far and wide, called Dinh Sung. Like many other communal houses in Vietnamese villages, Dinh Sung in Lang Thanh commune is a large communal house with architectural and artistic value, having existed for over 500 years.

The ancient village of Quỳ Lăng, formerly known as Kẻ Sừng, was nestled in a unique location, possessing advantages in warfare and potential for economic development. Therefore, Kẻ Sừng quickly became one of the centers of Châu Diễn. When the Tang dynasty took Hàm Hoan district within the province to establish Diễn Châu, making it one of the 12 provinces of the An Nam Protectorate in 679, and for three centuries until the end of the Đinh dynasty in 979, the administrative center of Diễn Châu was located in Kẻ Sừng.

In November 1583, the people of Quy Lang village joined forces to build a communal house (dinh) to serve as a meeting place and cultural center. Originally, the communal house was made of thatch, bamboo, and leaves, situated amidst a densely populated area. Surrounding the communal house were villages, banyan trees, a riverbank, and the winding Sung River, like a soft silk ribbon carrying rich silt to nourish the fields. Along with many distinctive ancient architectural features such as the stone bridge and village gate, these elements enhanced the unique and exquisite beauty of the ancient communal house. In 1797, the village added a rear sanctuary to worship the village's tutelary deity. Throughout its existence and development, the communal house was renovated in 1637, 1677, 1787, 1913, and finally, in 1929, it was restored to its current grand and beautiful state. This is clearly recorded in the inscriptions on the local steles.

By early 1930, the temple's restoration was completed. The temple, built in the Nguyen Dynasty style, was massive in scale, measuring 24.7 meters long and 11.2 meters wide. The frame was made of large-sized ironwood.

In terms of artistry, all parts of the communal house, such as the ridge, eaves, beams, rafters, etc., are elaborately decorated by artisans, showcasing their high level of sculpting and carving skills. On the ridge, eaves, and the two gable walls, using locally available materials such as lime mortar and molasses, the artisans mixed them to create vivid relief sculptures of dragons and phoenixes.

The wood carvings feature familiar motifs such as "The Four Mythical Creatures" and "The Four Seasons," but the harmonious and balanced arrangement of these elements creates a lively and captivating effect.

Interestingly, the temple was built by two groups of craftsmen following a predetermined motif. Many of the carvings, though depicting the same theme, have completely different styles and expressions. The common thread is that they all exude profound humanistic values, reflecting the traditions of a nation: nobility, purity, loyalty, gentleness, resilience, and a benevolent spirit.

Despite enduring numerous historical upheavals, the Sừng communal house has retained its pristine beauty, closely associated with the historical relics of the land and people of Quỳ Lăng. During the years 1930-1931, the communal house served as a secret meeting place for the Quỳ Lăng Party branch – one of the first Party branches in Yên Thành district. Between 1932 and 1933, the French colonialists used the Sừng communal house as a military outpost. Here, they imprisoned, arrested, and tortured over 100 Party members and cadres. On August 12, 1945, at this ancient communal house, the people of Quỳ Lăng gathered to seize power from the feudal regime. It also served as the site for major campaigns such as the "Gold Week," the "Weapons Week," the "Resistance Bonds," and the "National Bonds." It also served as a school and a storage place for rice during the resistance against the French. During the war against the US, for a long period, the communal house served as a textile factory for the 4th Military Region. Today, the communal house is a center for many activities reflecting the local cultural identity, such as: worshiping deities, processions, traditional folk singing (a dao, ca tru, cheo), wrestling, and is also a meeting place for various organizations and associations. In 2004, Sung Communal House was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument. In 2010, with the support of the state, the local government invested in restoring and upgrading several items to preserve valuable documents, helping scientists to understand and research the architectural art of this ancient cultural heritage, and also serving as a place for educating future generations about traditions.

Sun