(BNP) - The Dong Ky communal house (Dong Nguyen ward, Bac Ninh province) was built during the Ly Dynasty and has undergone multiple repairs and reconstructions over time and during wars. It still preserves its historical architecture. It is a cultural and religious center for the locals, as well as a tourism attraction for travelers to the Bac Ninh-Kinh Bac region.
Dong Ky communal house was built on a spacious area of over 23,000 square meters at the end of the village, still preserves many structures: the Tam môn, the Đại bái, the Hậu cung, and other auxiliary buildings. The communal house is dedicated to the village's tutelary god, the "Thiên Cương" Saint, who fought against the Xích Quỷ and Ân invaders during the reign of the 6th Hung King.
The Dong Ky communal gate is a large, imposing structure bearing the distinctive mark of communal gates in the Northern Delta region, consisting of a main gate in the middle and two side gates.
The surface is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting mythical creatures, flowers, leaves, and Chinese characters…
In front of the communal house is a large lake bordered by stones, with two curved bridges made of green stone, creating a poetic beauty and a refreshing landscape for the historical site.
In front of the Đại bái is a screen made of blue stone.
The two sides feature exquisitely carved stone mythical creatures made of green stone...
The architecture of Dong Ky communal house is built in the shape of the Chinese "Công" letter.
The Đại bái has eight soaring, curved eaves casting shadows onto the lake...
The roof of the communal house is adorned with a relief sculpture depicting "Two dragons circling the moon".
Currently, the communal house still preserves many valuable artifacts: 2 stone dragons (Le Dynasty); a set of eight ceremonial objects, incense burners, crane statues, incense holders, a green dragon sword, a horizontal plaque with the inscription "beautiful customs worthy of praise", couplets… (Nguyen Dynasty).
And the two large wooden firecrackers symbolize the real firecrackers of the old Dong Ky village. Every year, during the village festival (the 3rd and 4th of January), the villagers carry them in a procession, symbolizing the ancient custom of setting off firecrackers…
The communal house grounds still preserve many ancient trees dating back hundreds of years, such as banyan, fig, and rosewood, creating a peaceful, ancient, and sacred landscape. Many of these trees have been recognized as "Heritage Trees".
Many Party and State leaders visit and plant commemorative trees in the grounds of the historical site.
List of benefactors who contributed to the renovation and construction of the communal house.
Dong Ky communal house was classified as a National Historical and Cultural Monument by the State on January 18, 1988, according to Decision No. 28-VH/QD. Every year, the communal house festival, which is also the village festival (from the 4th to the 6th of the first lunar month), commemorates the military campaign of Saint Thien Cuong against the invaders.
Next to the communal house is Dong Ky Pagoda - a National historical and cultural relic, whose official name is "Tây Am Tự," forming a beautiful and harmonious complex of historical sites.
This was a revolutionary activity site for many high-ranking Party leaders during the period 1839-1945. On March 9, 1945, the Standing Committee of the Central Party Committee held an expanded conference at Dong Ky Pagoda and issued the historic directive "The Japanese and French are fighting each other and our actions."
Today, the Dong Ky communal house and pagoda complex is one of the province's typical tourist destinations, attracting a large number of visitors who come to visit, admire the scenery, and offer incense to commemorate the contributions of the ancestors who served the people and the nation.
