From a humble bamboo and leaf structure built during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, Thang Tam Communal House has become a national cultural and historical relic, closely linked to the three pioneers who founded the fishing village in Vung Tau.

Located on Hoang Hoa Tham Street, Thang Tam Ward, Vung Tau City (formerly Thang Tam Ward, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province), the communal house is one of the oldest spiritual structures in the area, rich in historical significance.

According to the Thang Tam Communal House Historical Site Management Board, it was established during Emperor Minh Mang’s era, marking the settlement and village formation of the Thang Tam fishing community. It served as both a place to worship the village’s guardian deity and a cultural and spiritual center for locals.

Initially built with bamboo and palm leaves, the house was tiled in 1835 and underwent a major restoration in 1965, preserving its current architecture.

At the center of the communal house is the altar to three pioneers who founded the villages of Thang Nhat, Thang Nhi, and Thang Tam: Pham Van Dinh, Le Van Loc, and Ngo Van Huyen. Legend has it that during Emperor Gia Long’s reign, three military units under their command were sent to defend the coast from pirates while reclaiming land for settlement. Once peace was restored, the emperor rewarded them with land and titles, leading to the establishment of the three villages.

The structure includes four consecutive sections: the front hall, meeting hall, central hall, and a folk opera stage.

Its architecture reflects traditional Southern Vietnamese style, with wooden structures, yin-yang roof tiles, intricate dragon and phoenix carvings, and red lacquer with gold trim. Inside, the altars are solemnly arranged, embodying the long-standing spiritual traditions of coastal residents.

To the left is the Five Elements Temple, dedicated to the five goddesses of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, along with Lady Thien Y A Na and Thuy Long Than Nu. The temple follows a one-compartment, two-wing design with “two dragons flanking the moon” on the roof and contains eight altars inside.

To the right is the Whale Temple, housing a whale skeleton over 100 years old. Built in an ancient style, it features a large glass display case for the skeleton, three main altars, and two side altars dedicated to Lady Sau (Turtle Goddess) and the music ancestors.

Currently, the communal house preserves 12 imperial decrees from Emperors Thieu Tri and Tu Duc, including those honoring Dai Can Quoc Gia Nam Hai (Whale God), Thien Y A Na, and Thuy Long Than Nu.

Three major annual festivals are held here: the Cầu An (Peace) Festival from the 17th to the 20th day of the second lunar month, the Nghinh Ong (Whale Worship) Festival from the 16th to the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, and the Lady Temple Festival from the 16th to the 18th day of the tenth lunar month. Of these, the Nghinh Ong Festival is the largest, blending traditional rituals with cultural, sports, and artistic activities.

With its cultural, historical, and architectural value, along with unique local customs and beliefs, Thang Tam Communal House was recognized as a national historical and cultural relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in 1991.

In recent years, local authorities have expanded the scale of the communal house’s major festivals. The Nghinh Ong Festival, in particular, has incorporated more cultural and artistic events, creating a lively atmosphere that draws visitors, preserves heritage, and promotes local tourism.

Quang Hung