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Bach Tru – the pinnacle of the ancient Vietnamese communal house architecture
Thanh Dat 11:19, 2018/01/28
Bach Tru communal house, one of the largest and most ancient in Vietnam’s Northern Delta, with its set of folk wooden sculptures is considered to be the culmination of communal house architecture, typical of the Le Restoration dynasty.
Bach Tru communal house consists of the  Front-Worshipping Hall, Central Hall and the Back Hall connected by two rooms. The communal house has the shape of the Chinese letter  “Nhat” (專) with a Central Hall in the middle. The front-worshipping Hall  and the Back Hall were added  later and which are connected by two small rooms which  roof  are  shaped in the Chinese letter "Vuong" (王) and the floor has the shape of the Chinese letter  of "Tam" (三) .
 
Overwhelming five rooms and double eave roof Front Worshipping Hall
Overwhelming five rooms and double eave roof Front Worshipping Hall
In the front court yard there is  a  half-moon  pond and then  a horizontal-scroll-shaped screen behind it which  depicts branches of apricot flower  and bamboo tree. There is an altar after the screen  with an apron which  legs are carved with  fish head and bats symbolizing “five blessings descend upon this home” (namely: longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a natural death) which is  followed by a four-pillar gate.
Across a small yard after the gate and entering Front-Worshipping Hall, visitors are overwhelmed by  its magnificient 5 rooms and the imposing double-eave roof. Especially, the art of the 17th century is still preserved in the Central Hall  which is devided in three, 2 lean-tos and 2 closets decorated with embossed dragon and human patterns. These engravings manifest the high level of engraving art. 
The Back Hall  is devided in to two rooms with the bigger room in the middle, inside the four main columns walled by wooden slabs. There is an altar  in the   back hall. In the main altar, there are paintings of eight civil and military officials.
Bach Tru communal house is dedicated to two sacred deities including the princess My Nuong in the Hung Kings' era and Cong Son in the time of the Trung sisters Queens. The former period was that of national foundation while the later has to do with national defense. Both are rooted in the spirit of the Vietnamese people.   
The personalities  venerated  along with typical architecture and  engraving art demonstrate that this is one of the most important communal houses of all the relics of Vinh Phuc province. The  communal house is a large architectural work where the tutelary deities are worshipped and festivals and  other religious celebrations area are hold. The communal house provides a precious source of knowledge about the local history and culture, ancient customs, the tangible and intangible treasures.
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