Nguyen The Nhip, the caretaker of the temple, said the structure sits in the heart of the village’s fifth hamlet and has long served as a cultural and religious center for the local community.

According to ancient records, the communal house was originally built in the 17th century and is dedicated to the village's tutelary deity. It was officially recognized as a provincial historical and cultural relic in 1999. While time and war have damaged parts of the building, efforts by residents and local authorities have helped restore it multiple times, staying true to its original architectural style.

The most extraordinary element of Thanh Nga communal house, Nhip explained, lies in its impressive collection of imperial edicts. Village records show that 54 such documents were once housed here. Today, 47 remain intact, one is partially damaged, and six edicts from the Tay Son era are missing.

These edicts, dating from the fourth year of Phuc Thai (1646) to the ninth year of Khai Dinh (1924), were once thought lost. In 1999, during renovation work, villagers found them hidden in bamboo tubes tucked into the temple's roof.

“When we discovered them, the whole village rejoiced. These documents are considered priceless treasures. We now store them rolled up in lacquered wooden boxes with gold leaf, securely locked in a safe. The management board only brings them out during major ceremonial events,” Nhip shared.

The edicts are made of special Do paper, with ink infused with buffalo-hide glue and powdered gold and silver, allowing them to retain their vivid luster despite centuries of aging.

“These edicts have attracted the attention of many scholars and historians. They are considered invaluable sources of information, covering dynasties from the Le to the Nguyen. Their cultural, historical, linguistic, and artistic value is immense. It's rare for any communal temple to hold such a large and well-preserved collection,” Nhip said.

Le Dinh Ngo, head of the Culture and Society Department of Hoang Son commune, affirmed that the edicts and the accompanying genealogy of the communal house are treated as sacred heirlooms by the community. They not only represent a rich cultural heritage but also symbolize reverence for the village’s founding spirit.

Of the 47 remaining edicts, 21 were granted under the Later Le dynasty and 26 under the Nguyen dynasty. They collectively offer a unique historical lens into Vietnam’s shifting rulers and cultural evolution.

For the people of Thanh Nga, the communal house is more than a place of worship. It embodies pride, identity, and a tangible connection to the past - an essential part of Thanh Hoa’s cultural legacy to be preserved for future generations.

Each year on the 15th day of the second lunar month, villagers hold the Ky Phuc Festival in honor of their founding deity. The celebration features traditional ceremonies, palanquin processions, and folk games like tug-of-war, Chinese chess, and boat racing, drawing locals and tourists alike. It is not only a spiritual event but also a time to reinforce community bonds and inspire the younger generation to treasure their ancestral heritage.