Ung Cu Village communal house - The soul of culture revived.

VHO - After more than seven decades of interruption, Ung Cu village communal house (Chuyen My commune, Hanoi) was officially inaugurated, marking the revival of a cultural and spiritual symbol closely associated with many generations of villagers in Northern Vietnam.

Locals and tourists attend the inauguration ceremony of Ung Cu village communal house.

A symbol of community solidarity.

In the joyful atmosphere of the early spring days, on November 11, 2026, Ung Cu village, Chuyen My commune, Hanoi City, solemnly held the inauguration ceremony of the village communal house - a structure with profound historical, spiritual, and cultural value, a symbol of community solidarity through many generations.

According to the elders, the Ung Cu village communal house was built more than 200 years ago, as a place of worship for the village's patron deity, Thien Bong Nguyen Soai - a god associated with the legend of the land's reclamation and settlement. Over many generations, the communal house has not only been a sacred place of worship but also a center of community life, a meeting place, a venue for festivals, a place for moral education , and a place for people to bond.

However, in 1952, during a sweep of Van Tu commune (now Chuyen My), the French colonialists set fire to Ung Cu village communal house. The ancient communal house, with its exquisitely carved wooden architecture, moss-covered tiled roof, and many valuable artifacts, was burned to the ground.

Consequently, the cultural and religious life of the local people was interrupted for decades. However, amidst the ashes of war, the people of Ung Cu village still preserved two priceless artifacts: an ancient calligraphic inscription and a shrine dating back more than two centuries. These artifacts are like the remaining "soul" of the communal house, nurturing the aspiration to restore a lost heritage.

Mr. Pham Van Chung, Chairman of the Elderly Association of Ung Cu village, emotionally shared: "In the memories of the elderly generation, the village communal house is not just an architectural structure, but also a memory, a source, a place that preserves the soul of the village. The reconstruction of the village communal house today is a great comfort, a continuation of the values ​​that our ancestors painstakingly cultivated," he said.

Traditional architecture, lasting value for future generations.

Stemming from the heartfelt aspirations of many generations of people, and with the attention of the local government, the restoration project of Ung Cu village communal house has been implemented. According to the report at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Sinh, Head of Ung Cu village, stated that the project was initially started in 2018, but had to be temporarily suspended due to financial difficulties. In August 2024, construction resumed and was completed after more than 14 months of work.

The village communal house of Ung Cu today has been restored according to the traditional architecture of communal houses in the Northern Delta region, with curved tile roofs, soaring eaves, and exquisitely carved motifs of flying dragons and dancing phoenixes. Each architectural detail not only showcases the craftsmanship of the artisans but also conveys wishes for peace and prosperity for the community.

Notably, the entire project was built using socialized capital. The total construction cost was approximately 2.3 billion VND. The people and clans in the village contributed about 1 billion VND in cash, along with many materials, items, and thousands of man-days of labor.

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Huong, Vice Chairperson of the People's Committee of Chuyen My Commune, delivered a speech at the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thuy Huong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chuyen My commune, affirmed: The inauguration of Ung Cu village communal house is not only a joy and pride for Ung Cu village itself, but also an event of significant importance for the preservation and promotion of traditional cultural values ​​in the locality. The reconstruction of the village communal house clearly demonstrates the responsibility of today's generation in preserving the cultural heritage left by our ancestors.

After the structure is put into use, the local authorities will establish a Temple Management Board to ensure the management, exploitation, and use of the temple comply with the laws on cultural heritage, beliefs, and religion; and at the same time, effectively promote the role of the village temple as a grassroots cultural institution, a "red address" for educating the younger generation about traditions.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/dinh-lang-ung-cu-hon-cot-van-hoa-hoi-sinh-197041.html