Thuong Dong Communal House and Pagoda

17/02/2025 08:44

(BNP) – Thuong Dong communal house and pagoda (also known as Lam communal house and pagoda) is a complex of relics located on a prime land in the Northeast of Thuong Dong quarter, Van An ward, Bac Ninh city, facing Southeast. In front of it is the pond and its remaining sides border the residential area.


Overview of Thuong Dong communal house and pagoda.

Currently, Thuong Dong communal house has an architecture of Chinese “Dinh” letter, connecting the two buildings of Dai Dinh (Great Communal Hall) and Hau Cung (Emperor’s Harem) which face southeast.


Thuong Dong communal house.

Dai Dinh has 5 compartments and Hau Cung includes 2 compartments. The communal house’s current architectural features bear the artistic style of the Nguyen Dynasty.


Tam Bao (Three Jewels) of Thuong Dong pagoda.

Thuong Dong pagoda currently includes the following construction items: Tam Bao, Ta Vu and Huu Vu houses, Ancestral house, Tang house, Tam Quan (Three Gateways) and surrounding garden with green trees. Tam Bao has an architecture of Chinese “Dinh” letter including a 5-compartment Tien Duong (Front Ceremonial Hall) and a 3-compartment Thuong Dien (Upper Palace). The entire front door is open to the communal house.

The communal house worships two gods of Lam Lady and Cao Son Dai Vuong.

Like most pagodas in the Vietnamese countryside, Thuong Dong pagoda was built a long time ago to worship Buddha, Mother Goddess, and ancestors. It is the center of Buddhist religious activities of the local people.

Currently, Thuong Dong communal house and pagoda still preserves many artifacts such as: Buddha statues created during the Nguyen Dynasty, stone steles, ordinations, horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences...


Buddha statues at the pagoda.

Thuong Dong village festival is held on the 10th day of the first lunar month every year.


Horizontal lacquered board.

The procession has full flags, palanquins, parasols, thrones, swords, eight treasures, drums, gongs, musical instruments, and money.


Uncle Ho’s altar.

The festival includes many traditional folk games and entertainment such as Quan Ho singing at the pond, cockfighting, human chess, duck catching, pot smashing, etc. The festival days attract a large number of local people to participate in joyful and healthy cultural and artistic activities.


Bronze gong.


Banyan tree in front of the Thuong Dong communal house and pagoda gate.

Thuong Dong communal house and pagoda were recognized as an Architectural and Artistic Relic by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in Decision No. 372-VH/QD dated March 10, 1994.