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Binh Da, by the way to Huong pagoda - over 20km from Hanoi, is in Binh Minh Village, Thanh Oai District, Ha Tay Province. It has two beautiful communal houses: "Noi "or Inner Communal House and "Ngoai "or Outer one. There is a connection between noi Communal House and the legendary Lac long Quan and Au Co. Although it is often called a communal house, it is, in fact, a temple to worship the national ancestor Lac Long Quan - Father of all Hung Kings.
The two communal houses were built long ago and had been destroyed many times through wars against aggressors for national salvation. In the years of 1946 - 1947, they were destroyed to build enemy posts when the French colonists expanded their battle area far out of Hanoi. The present communal houses are the ones which were built in the year Mau Ngo - King Khai Dinh III (1918). Noi Communal house, situated on its old ground, has a magnificent posture. Several years ago, a farmer, while digging the soil, found a bronze drum and some old objects - 500 metres away from it. In the past, there was a "Troi "tree whose stump must be ten times as wide as a crook of one’s arms and its was tens of metres high with thick branches and leaves - green all round the year. Unfortunately, it was cut down in the year of 1954 - 1955 to make tables and desks for the village children. At present, there remain two "Troi "trees - one on the village path and the other in Oai field with low and small shapes. These are the trees which can hardly be seen in the historical and cultural places in the Northern flat area.
"In Noi House, at present, there is still a painting made of wood with red lacquer trimmed with gold describing King Lac and his inferiors watching a boat race - an old Vietnamese traditional festival which is still held in Dam Village, Thai Binh Province. Besides, there are many old precious objects such as: Divine Resisters, nominations (by the Kings), a newly found Bronze bell, and stelae dated back to the dynasties of Ly, Le, and Nguyen, "said Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trang - chief administrator of Binh Da communal houses.
At the edge of the village is Ngoai Communal House, adjacent to Highway 22. Its main door faces South, on the position of "Luc Long trieu hoi "(having six dragon turning their heads to). This is the place where Ly Lang Cong (or Hoang Chan - Ling Lang) - King Ly Thai Tong’s son - is worshiped. The legend goes that he was a talented and virtuous man, and did a lot of good to his people and nation, fighting against Sung invaders and defeating Champa troops. He died on Nhu Nguyet river (now a part of Cau river). He also helped people out of droughts. Therefore, he was considered the patron saint of the village by Binh Da people.
According to the legend, King Lac was born on March 6 (the lunar calendar), so there is a religious celebration at both Noi and Ngoai communal houses from lunar February 26 to March 6 yearly. March 5 is the day of King procession from Noi to Ngoai communal house, and the vice versa in the afternoon; and King procession back to his former place at Ngoai Communal House in March 6 afternoon.
Binh Da Village festival is celebrated in memory of King Lac (Lac Long Quan) - the Viet people’s ancestor and a conqueror of the nature - defeating Fish, Fox and Wood monsters as well, and the person who did a lot for the establishment of the nation. Also, it is the occasion to be in honour of Ly Lang Cong, the village's patron saint
Binh Da festival, in the year 2000, with its solemn ceremony, will add more varieties to the Death Anniversary of Ancestral King Hung in Co Tich, Hy Cuong Village, Phong Chau District, Phu Tho Province on March 10 (the lunar year), which was confirmed to be a National Festival by the State.
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