This communal house is dedicated to the cult of the Saint of Chem. The Saint of Chem was born in Thuy Phuong commune, Tu Liem district (nowadays a suburban district of Hanoi)
This communal house is dedicated to the cult of the Saint of Chem. The Saint of Chem was born in Thuy Phuong commune, Tu Liem district (nowadays a suburban district of Hanoi). In childhood he was named Ly Than. Later he adopted the name “Trong”. He was intelligent and adept both in politics and military art and, furthermore, was a man of great integrity. He defeated several foreign aggressions and, on account of this, was included by the King in the elite. When he died, the Royal Court conferred on him an honorific title and ordered that a temple be built in his honour.
Chem communal house is located on the bank of the Red River, facing the north. It contributes its part to the charming local scenery. Its layout follows the pattern Noi cong ngoai quoc.” From the Red River one can see the four big pillars, then the three-entrance gate, then the courtyard and then the main hall which evokes the Chinese character “cong”. Its structure involves traditional beams and ties decorated with elaborate carvings.
Since 1990, Chem communal house has been recognized by the Vietnamese government as a historical, cultural and art site of national significance.
