The ancient and unique features of Phuong Lich communal house

Phuong Lich village, Dien Hoa commune, formerly belonging to Ly Trai commune, Dong Thanh district, Dien Chau prefecture, is an ancient village with a long history and culture. Here, local people have built many communal works such as communal houses, temples, pagodas, shrines... including Phuong Lich communal house. Photo: Huy Thu

Phuong Lich Communal House was built by the people of Phuong Lich village in 1866 as a place for community activities and to worship the village's tutelary god, Mrs. Hong Thi Chau Nuong (the third wife of General Tran Quang Khai) - who had the merit of recruiting people to establish hamlets, build Giang Lam farm (present-day Dien Quang, Dien Hanh and Dien Hoa communes); taught people how to grow mulberry, raise silkworms, weave silk... Photo: Huy Thu

In the past, Phuong Lich communal house had a gate, a main hall, a back palace, and a left and right wing house. Now the left and right wings no longer exist. The main communal house has Nguyen Dynasty architecture, is a 5-room, 6-roof house, 150m wide.²Photo: Huy Thu

The wooden frame of the communal house is connected together by a system of trusses, beams and bows, all of which are planed smooth, tightly fitted, and mortise-and-tenon joints, creating the solidity of the communal house. The two middle trusses are replaced with two round pillars, placed on square bases, making the space of the communal house more airy. Photo: Huy Thu

On the wooden structures of the communal house are carved many folk themes, motifs, traditional patterns with skillful techniques. In the photo: Sculptures on the front beams of the communal house. Photo: Huy Thu

The longitudinal beams of the two middle rafters have dragon-shaped ends with delicate, vivid, and beautiful lines facing each other. Photo: Huy Thu

In particular, the roof of the communal house is elaborately and uniquely decorated with animal figures. The roof edge of the communal house is decorated with a large “two dragons facing the moon” image. This is a work of high artistic value. Photo: Huy Thu

Using lime, ceramic pieces, porcelain, etc., artisans have created dragons with large, strong bodies and all parts forming soft curves. Photo: Huy Thu

In addition to the image of two dragons facing the moon, the two ends of the roof ridge also have the image of two crocodiles facing the middle of the communal house, on each edge there are two unicorns turning their heads towards each other very vividly, 4 curved blades with stylized fish transforming into dragons. The edge of the ridge is decorated with the image of a phoenix spreading its wings with an elegant appearance... Not only unique in architecture and sculpture, Phuong Lich communal house is also a witness to many important historical events in the locality. The communal house has been recognized as a provincial historical relic. Photo: Huy Thu

Having existed for more than 1.5 centuries and gone through many historical events, Phuong Lich communal house has seriously degraded. Currently, the wooden frame of the communal house is eaten by termites in many places, many structures are damaged, and towers have to be built and temporarily reinforced. The tiled roof has fallen off, and many places do not cover the wooden parts of the communal house. The current "cry for help" situation of Phuong Lich communal house needs attention from all levels to find solutions for restoration and embellishment. Photo: Huy Thu