A village with three relics dedicated to generals of the Hung Kings era
In Ngoc Lam Village, Tan Ky Commune (Hai Phong), there are three historical sites all dedicated to the same general from the Hung Kings era—an uncommon feature rarely found elsewhere.
Three communal houses dedicated to Cao Son Dai Vuong
In Ngoc Lam Village, Tan Ky Commune, there are three communal houses—Ngoc Lam, Quynh Goi, and Thuong Lang—dedicated to Cao Son Dai Vuong. Among them, Ngoc Lam and Quynh Goi communal houses have been recognized as national historical relics, while Thuong Lang is classified as a city-level relic.
Cao Son Dai Vuong is a revered general credited with assisting King Hung Due Vuong in defeating the Thuc invaders and bringing peace to the country. Although all three communal houses worship the same deity, each is associated with its own stories and customs, creating a distinctive cultural identity for the local community.
According to legend, during his military campaign, Cao Son Dai Vuong stopped at Ngoc Lam camp—then part of Tu Ky District, Ha Hong Prefecture, Hai Duong region—to establish a military outpost. The local people and village elders held a ceremonial reception in his honor. Moved by their sincerity, Cao Son selected ten young men from the village to join his army in the fight against invaders.
After Cao Son Dai Vuong passed away, King Hung Due Vuong deeply mourned his loss. The king granted gold and silver for a grand funeral and issued a royal decree allowing localities that had contributed men to Cao Son’s army to build shrines in his honor. In Ngoc Lam, villagers established three communal houses to worship him, honoring him as their tutelary deity.
Unique festivals
For generations, festivals at the three communal houses have been preserved in accordance with village traditions. Each festival features unique rituals associated with important milestones in the life of Cao Son Dai Vuong, contributing to the rich cultural heritage of the area.
The Quynh Goi Communal House Festival is held annually on the 8th day of the second lunar month, marking the birth anniversary of the village tutelary deity.
The Thuong Lang Communal House Festival takes place on the 8th day of the third lunar month each year, commemorating Cao Son Dai Vuong’s victory over the Thuc invaders and the defense of the country. As it celebrates both a birth and a military victory, the festival atmosphere is lively and festive. During this time, large numbers of locals and visitors flock to the event. Traditional cultural activities such as cheo singing, water puppetry, wrestling, and human chess are held, creating a vibrant atmosphere throughout the village. Notably, the processions of royal decrees and the deity’s statue are conducted with great solemnity.
In contrast, the Ngoc Lam Communal House Festival has a completely different tone. It is held annually on the 12th day of the 11th lunar month, marking the death anniversary of Cao Son Dai Vuong. Therefore, the atmosphere is more solemn, quiet, and reverent.
During the procession, participants wear white trousers, dark tunics, red sashes, and black headgear. The procession moves slowly, expressing deep respect for the deity. Offerings presented at the communal house consist only of vegetarian items, with no meat offerings. These traditional rituals have been preserved by generations of local residents, becoming a distinctive cultural feature of the area.
Since the three communal houses share the same tutelary deity, by tradition, the statue and royal decrees of Cao Son Dai Vuong are rotated and worshipped at each communal house every two years. This practice reflects the strong bonds and unity among villagers.
Preserving heritage sites
Recognizing the historical and cultural value of these sites, local authorities and residents have, in recent years, actively implemented various measures to preserve and promote traditional values.
Management and protection of the relics have been given due attention, while restoration and renovation work has been carried out in accordance with regulations, ensuring the preservation of the original architectural features.
At the same time, local residents have shown strong awareness in protecting the landscape and maintaining the surrounding environment of the sites. Festival activities are organized solemnly and in line with traditional customs, while also incorporating education and communication efforts to raise awareness among younger generations about local history and culture.
“People in the village are always proud of the three ancient communal houses. Their historical, cultural, and architectural values are closely tied to the community. These communal houses stand as enduring symbols, contributing to the preservation of traditions, fostering local pride, and strengthening community bonds,” said Mr. Hoang Trung Quy, Secretary of the Party Cell and Head of Ngoc Lam Village.
Nguyen Mo