Quan Khai is an ancient village of Vinh Phong Commune, Vinh Bo District, Hai Phong Province. Quan Khai is principle architecture for communal houses of Viet Nam early 20th century including semicircular lake, 5 gates, wall and courtyard.
According to legend, 4000 years ago, Mr. Tan Vien Son Thanh Bui Thien Quy built military post to protect Van Lang, the ancient coutry of Vietnam. From the beginning of the village, the local resident earned livelihood with wet rice cultivation. People had difficulties in farming due to drought, natural calamity and invaders. However, they got on well together. In 1940, Bao Dai’s King wrote words “ habits and customs” to present the local people, which become a national art and culture heritage . Today, people maintain the historical beauty of the village. Any wedding ceremony or funeral in the village, villagers help to make a cosy atmosphere and harmonious relationship.
Quan Khai communal house is a spacious and ancient architecture including 5 forecourt compartments and 4 harem compartments. The roof is wide and slopes downward with six curved swords at the ten corners, giving the communal house a magnificent and elegant appearance. The Communal house was started to built in 1906 and finished in 1916. Mr. Ba Phu, village authority was responsible for establishment of the communal house. At that time of construction of the communal house, Chanh Bat along with village men had to go to forest to buy good woods and put them on the floats drifting towards the village on Hoa Giang river. When hearing news of construction of Quan Khai communal house, masons from different places wanted to help. Finally, Cuc Bo – Ninh Giang (Hai Duong province) is chosen to built the communal house.
Quan Khai is principle architecture for communal houses of Viet Nam early 20th century including semicircular lake, 5 gates, wall and courtyard. Inside, there are various Horizontal lacquered board, parallel sentences, door painting in fresco, altar engraved meticulously. Quan Khai communal house is very delicate and unique.
Apart from the value of architecture and art, Quan Khai communal house maintains many items of handicraft, traditional objects of Vinh bao, civil mandarin shrine, military mandarin, Do shrine, crane shrine, incense – table, parallel sentences, door painting in fresco,…
Apart from the value of architecture and art, Quan Khai communal house maintains many items of handicraft, traditional objects of Vinh bao, civil mandarin shrine, military mandarin, Do shrine, crane shrine, incense – table, parallel sentences, door painting in fresco,…
In front of the gate of communal house, there are 2 ancient Bombax ceiba tree with the height of 25-30 meters , the circumference of foot of the tree is more than 6 meters. In March , on occasion of a mass bloom on Bombax ceiba trees, the communal house organizes the traditional festival. According to the elderly, age of the Bombax ceiba tree is an age of the communal house. Ancestors planted Bombax ceiba trees in the hope of having a peaceful and happy lives. Through ups and downs, the Bombax ceiba trees are imposing and green. During the resistance war against the French, there was an worship hall with 7 compartments under Bombax ceiba trees where took care of wounded soldiers of Kien An- Hai Phong Front. Here was a place for guerillas observe enemy troops from far sight. It also a flagstaff of revolution troops. Two Bombax ceiba not only is beauty of the Quan Khai communal house but also has ecological value. Quan Khai residents along with management board of relics have just requested to rank Bombax ceiba trees as heritage items.
Quan Khai villagers are preparing to traditional festivals of the communal house on Giap Ngo March 3. Vinh Long commune residents in general and Quan Khai villagers in particular welcome domestic and international visitors to admire beauty of marvelous nature of Quan Khai communal house.