Under the roof of Ong Thoai communal house

The Thoai Ngoc Hau communal house, located in Thoai Son commune, is not only a historical site but also a cultural space closely associated with the local people. Under the roof of this ancient communal house, traditional values ​​are still preserved and passed on.

One day in early April, I visited the Thoai Ngoc Hau temple. Under the scorching sun, the shade of the centuries-old oil trees at the temple seemed to soothe the soul of the visitor from afar. That day, even though it was a weekday, the temple gates were always crowded with people coming and going to offer incense. Ms. Nguyen My Tien, a friendly resident of Thoai Son commune, said: "The people here don't wait until the annual festival at the Thoai Ngoc Hau temple to come; whenever we want to find peace of mind, we come to the temple."

Panoramic view of the Thoai Ngoc Hau communal temple. Photo: PHUONG LAN

For the people of Thoại Sơn, the communal house is not just an ancient structure but a "home," a refuge for souls seeking peace. Coinciding with the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, the annual festival at Thoại Ngọc Hầu communal house takes place on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of the third lunar month. On that day, the local authorities hold a solemn ceremony with all the necessary rituals. People from Thoại Sơn who live and work in many places also take the opportunity to return to offer incense and express their gratitude to the renowned figure Thoại Ngọc Hầu, who contributed to digging the Thoại Hà canal, establishing the village, and erecting the Thoại Sơn stele.

The Thoai Ngoc Hau communal temple festival is organized very solemnly by the local authorities with full traditional rituals. This is an occasion for the local government and people to report to their ancestors about the achievements of labor and production after a year of effort; it is considered a major festival for the people of Thoai Son.

Upon entering the majestic temple, first-time visitors are sure to be impressed. Inside the main hall, one encounters the statue of Thoại Ngọc Hầu, behind which stands the Thoại Sơn stele. The stele is covered with red cloth and placed on a very dignified altar. The stele as a whole is a unique work of architectural art. The top of the stele is inscribed with the two characters "Thoại Sơn," while the front contains 629 exquisitely carved Chinese characters. The stele's content is a brilliant piece of literature. The Thoại Sơn stele is one of three famous historical stele relics from the feudal era of Vietnam that have survived to this day and are widely celebrated. The inscription is a beautiful piece of writing; the stele itself is a work of art and a historical monument.

On January 29, 2019, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially classified Thoai Ngoc Hau communal house and Thoai Son stele as National Monuments. The Vietnam Record Organization also established a record honoring the value of this complex of relics – a place that simultaneously preserves and promotes three tangible and intangible cultural values: the Thoai Son stone stele, the communal house, and the traditional cultural festival of the former Thoai Son district.

On the same day as the Thoai Ngoc Hau communal temple festival, the traditional cultural festival of Thoai Son district (formerly) attracts thousands of people to express their gratitude to the deity who contributed to this land. Since 2002, Thoai Son district (formerly) has organized this traditional cultural festival to serve the local people and those from all over who come to offer incense and pay their respects.

Mr. Tran Huu Hue, from the Thoai Ngoc Hau Temple Management Board, said: “Every year, on the occasion of the Thoai Ngoc Hau Temple festival, not only local people but also those working far away make time to return to offer incense and pray for Mr. Thoai's blessings for smooth work and family peace. The Thoai Ngoc Hau Temple is one of the few temples that is open 24/7 to welcome visitors from all over to worship.”

There are people who, from their childhood, attended high school named after Thoại Ngọc Hầu, and grew up living in the Thoại Sơn area, beside the Thoại Hà canal. Their lives seem inextricably linked to the word "Thoại," creating an invisible but strong bond between the present generation and their ancestors.

PHUONG LAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/duoi-mai-dinh-ong-thoai-a482742.html