Unique architecture of Luong Xa communal house in Gia Loc

Worshiping famous generals of the Tran Dynasty

Luong Xa Communal House worships two tutelary gods, one of whom is Luong Khac Hue, who helped King Tran defeat the enemy and build the country in the 13th century. His life and career are recorded quite clearly in the stele currently kept at the communal house: Luong Khac Hue was born on January 15, Khai Thai year 6 (1329) in Luong Xa village, Gia Phuc district (now Luong Xa village, Yet Kieu commune, Gia Loc district).

Since childhood, he had a temperament of intelligence that was superior to others. At the age of 16, he was famous for being a genius in the imperial examinations. At the age of 20, he was intelligent and talented, and his reputation was famous throughout the region. His hundreds of poems were praised by everyone, shaking the capital. He was highly regarded by the court, both assisting the king and the country and suppressing bandits. When the country was at peace, Du Hoang disregarded the affairs of the court. When he learned that Tuc Vuong (Crown Prince Du Tong) loved Duong Nhat Le, Luong Dai Vuong tried to dissuade him but failed.

In the 5th year of Dai Tri (1362), King Luong retired. Du Tong was about to pass away and immediately issued an edict to celebrate Nhat Le. Luong Khac Hue, together with Prime Minister Tran Nguyen Trac and Lieutenant Bui Trien, discussed and decided that Nhat Le was not of the Tran family lineage, so they plotted to kill Duong Nhat Le but failed and both were killed. Luong Khac Hue died on November 11. Cung Dinh Vuong killed Duong Nhat Le and ascended the throne (that is, King Tran Nghe Tong). The court then bestowed titles on all the mandarins. Luong Khac Hue was granted the title of god and the people were given the right to build temples and worship him.

Monumental value

There are no documents to confirm the year Luong Xa Communal House was built. According to the village elders, the old communal house was large in scale, renovated and embellished in 1930, located on a high land, facing southwest. Looking at the overall plan, Luong Xa Communal House includes the following items: communal house pond, communal house yard, parasol, ceremonial gate and central architectural works combined with many shady trees to create a sacred and ancient scene.

In 1947, the French colonialists bombarded the Gia Hoa area, the five main halls of the communal house were hit by artillery shells, damaging the roof. Also in this year, the two rows of disarming and ceremonial gates were demolished. In 1954, after the French army withdrew from Hai Duong, the villagers contributed money to repair the roof of the main hall; in 2010, they expanded the front porch of the main hall; in 2019, they rebuilt the communal house gate and surrounding walls to create a closed space.

Currently, the communal house has a Dinh (J)-shaped architecture including 5 main worship rooms and 3 rear sanctuary rooms, preserving the ancient architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty (early 20th century) quite intact with solid four-piece wood. The system of rafters, columns, and beams are fitted tightly together to create a solid horizontal brace. In the main worship room, there are many artistic carvings on the rafters, beams, lever heads, and pillars... with rich and diverse themes demonstrating the talent of ancient folk artists such as the four sacred animals (dragon, unicorn, turtle, phoenix), phoenix with a letter, and a flip leaf. The carvings are balanced and harmonious, creating beautiful paintings. The rear sanctuary is where the throne is placed to worship the village's tutelary god.

Luong Xa Communal House still preserves many valuable antiques such as: 1 large inscription, 1 votive door, 2 dragon pavilions, 2 thrones painted red and gilded, with soft and sophisticated carvings; 1 stele composed in 1933, engraved with Chinese characters about the biography and career of the village's tutelary god...

Not only valuable for its history and ancient architecture, Luong Xa communal house is also associated with local revolutionary resistance movements. After the August Revolution in 1945, the communal house was the place where rallies were held to establish the commune's revolutionary government and launched the "popular education" movement, organizing literacy classes for the people of the hometown.

During the resistance war against French colonialism, the communal house was a training ground for local militia and guerrillas. During the resistance war against the US, the communal house was a place to organize propaganda activities on the Party's revolutionary policies and guidelines, launch movements to participate in the resistance war to protect the Fatherland and many patriotic activities, and send off local children to join the army. When the country was at peace, Luong Xa communal house was a place to organize community cultural and religious activities of local people.

The biggest festival of the year at the communal house is held on the 11th day of the 11th lunar month, commemorating the death of Thanh Hoang Luong Khac Hue. On this day, many villagers arrive early, gathering in the communal house yard. Elders representing the clans enter the communal house to perform rituals, express gratitude for the merits and virtues of the gods, and pray for blessings and peace for the villagers.