Đại Phùng Communal House

Đại Phùng Communal House (đình Đại Phùng) is a đình (village communal house) located in Đan Phượng commune, Đan Phượng district, Hanoi city. This đình was classified and recognised as a Special National Monument by decision of the Prime Minister of Vietnam in 2020. The đình is renowned for its ancient wooden architectural art, considered a rare classic in Vietnam.

Đại Phùng Communal House is situated in Đan Phượng commune, Đan Phượng district, right by the Đáy River, 7 km from the Hồng River, and stands on high ground. The đình also occupies the highest position in the village, with its main façade facing west, slightly tilted towards the north. A few hundred metres in front of the đình flows the Đáy River from right to left, which was favourable for agriculture and trade in the past. To the left of the đình is Tam Giáo Pagoda, and the prosperous village neighbourhood surrounds it.

The name Đại Phùng Communal House is taken from the name of the village, now part of Đan Phượng commune, Đan Phượng district. This name has been established since at least 1684. Based on surviving artistic traces, the đình is believed to have been built around the late 17th century. Đại Phùng Communal House worships two deities: Tích Lịch Hòa Quang and the general Vũ Hùng.

In 2010, the đình underwent major restoration with a budget of over 20 billion VND, and was designated as a commemorative project for the 1000th anniversary of Thăng Long – Hanoi. In 2020, Đại Phùng Communal House was classified as a Special National Monument by decision of the Prime Minister.

Đại Phùng Communal House is built in the shape of the Chinese character 'nhất' (一), consisting of a single large rectangular building with a length of just over 21 metres and a width of 11.37 metres. The đình has three main bays, two side chambers (chái), two auxiliary spaces (dĩ), and six rows of columns. The central bay is the largest. These dimensions are considered consistent with the general layout of the famous đình of the Đoài region at the time. Adjacent to the Đại Đình (main hall) is a Tiền tế hall (front ceremonial hall) used for village rituals, which sometimes even substitutes for the main hall in village affairs. On the right side of this hall is an inscription: "Cảnh Hưng thập ngũ niên, mạnh hạ cốc nhật tu tạo đại cát" (referring to the construction date in the 15th year of Cảnh Hưng – 1574). However, this inscription is considered unreliable because monuments associated with the Cảnh Hưng era usually have sunken or raised carvings, whereas here it is written in black ink. This architectural addition has obscured the front of the đình, and is seen as not only failing to enhance the value of the main architecture but also diminishing the imposing character of the đình.

After a long period and various historical upheavals, many elements of the đình’s original layout have faded, and today only two structures remain: the Tiền tế hall and the Đại đình, along with a brick-paved courtyard in front. The đình pond and three sides around the đình have been encroached upon by private houses and roads, partially disrupting the feng shui of the site.

Like many đình in the Đoài region, Đại Phùng Communal House’s most outstanding feature lies in its woodcarving art. Artisans employed several carving techniques such as openwork, pierced, and high relief, using a variety of themes and compositions. These include symbols associated with spiritual powers and villagers’ hopes for abundant harvests, as well as sacred animals in various static and dynamic poses, expressing both joy and solemnity. Most notable, however, are scenes depicting aspects of everyday life. In the carvings of Đại Phùng Communal House, human figures are interspersed among backgrounds of dragons and weapons.

The festival of Đại Phùng Communal House is held three times a year. The 18th day of the first lunar month is the birthday of Saint Vũ Hùng, and is also the đình’s largest annual festival. The second festival is on the 12th day of the second lunar month, commemorating the deity Tích Lịch Hào Quang, the principal tutelary god of the entire Phùng region; the third festival is on the 18th day of the eleventh lunar month, marking the death anniversary of Vũ Hùng.