Architectural and Artistic Monument Chau Phu Communal House Chau Phu A Ward, Chau Doc City

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        Chau Phu Communal House is located in Chau Phu A Ward, Chau Doc City. It is situated at the corner of Tran Hung Dao and Nguyen Van Thoai streets, 56 km from Long Xuyen.
Chau Phu Communal House was built almost 170 years ago. According to the "Dai Nam Nhat Thong Chi" (a historical document), in the section about An Giang province and its temples, it is recorded that "Chau Phu Communal House was constructed by Thoai Ngoc Hau (Nguyen Van Thoai) between 1820 and 1828." However, details about the architectural artistry of the communal house are not recorded in the text, nor in the genealogies or deity lists, making it difficult to trace its origins.
       According to local elders, Chau Phu Communal House has undergone several reconstructions, initially from simple materials like miscellaneous wood and leaf roofing, later using more durable materials such as Pyinkado wood, wooden walls, and brick floors. In 1926, the French colonial authorities designated the area for the construction of Chau Doc Hospital. Therefore, Huynh Thi Phu and Huong Chu Lan mobilized the people to contribute funds to relocate and rebuild the communal house at its current location. The construction of Chau Phu Communal House in 1926 was an immense project, and the combined contributions from the villagers and the public funds of Chau Phu village were insufficient. Therefore, the French colonial authorities in Chau Doc province organized a lottery to raise additional funds. Thanks to this money, Chau Phu Communal House was completed and has remained grand and splendid to this day. The communal house spans 16 meters in width and 40 meters in length. It is very solid, majestic yet ancient, reflecting rich national cultural characteristics. The structure features lime mortar and brick walls, “ô dước” (special traditional Vietnamese construction material) and large and small tiles for the roof, flower-patterned floor tiles, and columns made of Pyinkado wood and meranti wood. Inside, there are four rows of 40 large columns, each about two arm spans wide, with beautifully carved beams, columns, and richly decorated golden lacquered boards and couplets. The intricate carvings depict the Eight Immortals, the Four Holy Beasts, birds, flowers, and prominently, dragons in the distinct Nguyen Dynasty style.

        In 1960, Chau Phu Communal House was further renovated with the addition of perimeter walls constructed of brick and iron, enhancing its solemn and airy ambiance. During the Southwestern border conflict in 1978, a Khmer Rouge’s shell damaged the back roof, which was subsequently repaired by the local people.
        The communal house enshrines a wooden statue of Le Thanh Hau Nguyen Huu Canh. He was born in 1650 and passed away on the 8th of May, 1700. He belonged to the lineage of Nguyen Trai, a founding figure of the Later Le Dynasty. His father, Nguyen Huu Dat, was one of the top three generals under Lord Nguyen Hoang. Their family originated from Gia Mieu village, Tong Son district, Thanh Hoa province, before relocating to Quang Binh province. As a young man, Nguyen Huu Canh followed his father in military campaigns, earning significant merits and the rank of Cai Co. Under Lord Hien Tong Nguyen Phuc Chu (1691-1725), in the second year (1692), Nguyen Huu Canh was appointed as Thong Binh (Commander-in-Chief) to suppress the Cham rebellion, and after his victorious return, he was promoted to the rank of Chuong Co, overseeing the Binh Khang district.
        In 1698, Nguyen Huu Canh, under the orders of the royal court, led troops to survey and administer Chenla (present-day Cambodia). Upon arrival, Nguyen Huu Canh took the lands of Dong Pho, Bien Hoa, and Gia Dinh, establishing the first two districts in Southern Vietnam: Phien Tran and Bien Tran. He also created the positions of Military Overseer (Giam Quan Cai Ba) and Clerk (Ky Luc) to manage the governance of these areas.
        In the autumn of 1699, Ang Em, the king of Chenla, attacked Vietnam. Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu entrusted Nguyen Huu Canh with leading the troops to suppress the invasion.
        In the spring 1700, Nguyen Huu Canh led his troops to Long Ho (Vinh Long) to establish a military front and sent scouts to assess the enemy situation. After gaining a clear understanding of the enemy's position, Nguyen Huu Canh divided his forces into two units that marched directly to Nam Vang (Phnom Penh), defeating the army of the King of Chenla. Once inside the city, Nguyen Huu Canh organized security, politics, and the people's livelihoods, stabilizing the region. After completing these tasks, Nguyen Huu Canh and his troops returned to Cay Sao Island (later renamed Ong Chuong Island, now in Cho Moi district), where they rested and encouraged the local population to continue their agricultural activities and settle down.         During his stay at Cay Sao Island while awaiting orders from Lord Nguyen, Nguyen Huu Canh fell seriously ill on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month (the Duanwu Festival). He and his troops then moved to Rach Gam (My Tho), where he passed away on May 9, 1700, at the age of 51. The local populace, soldiers, and officers deeply mourned his death, and his remains were taken to Cu Lao Pho (Bien Hoa) for burial.
        Throughout his life, Nguyen Huu Canh held various positions, including Cai Co, Chuong Co, Thong Binh Kinh Luoc, and Chưởng Binh.
        The Nguyen Dynasty posthumously conferred several titles upon him:
        - In the 9th year of Gia Long's reign (1810), he was worshiped at the Khai Quoc Temple.
        - In the 12th year of Minh Mang's reign (1831), he was posthumously conferred the titles of Khai Quoc Cong Than (Founding Hero of the Country), Trang Vo Tuong Quan (Strong Military General), Than Co Do Thong (Supreme Commandant of the Firearms Division), and Vinh An Hau (Marquis of Perpetual Peace).
        - In 1852, during Tu Duc's reign, he was posthumously conferred the title of Le Thanh Hau (a high-ranking general). To commemorate his contributions, the people built temples in his honor in many places within the province, especially along the Hau River and on Ong Chưởng Islet, where he had stationed his troops on his way back.
        Annually, Chau Phu Communal House hosts the Kỳ Yên festival over three days: the 9th, 10th, and 11th of the 5th lunar month. This festival commemorates the death anniversary of Commander Lễ Thành Hầu Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh. People from all over come to attend the event, and every three years, a grand Đại Bội performance is organized. The architectural and artistic heritage of Châu Phú Temple was recognized and classified by the Ministry of Culture and Information under Decision No. 1288/VH-QĐ dated November 16, 1988.