Back from the brink: A communal house in central Nghe An Province has been saved from ruin and will serve the local community once again. — Photo nghean.gov.vn

THUA THIEN HUE (VNS)— A traditional communal house built in the 18th century in central Nghe An Province has been restored for ritual needs after years of ruin.

According to Nguyen Van Dong, caretaker of the Dong Chau communal house, the restoration was aimed to please local residents and create a hub for community meetings and cultural activities.

Dong said the communal house had been devastated by the wars, but in the post-war period, had become a market place and then a warehouse.

The new building of Dong Chau communal house was developed on old foundations, while original precious items have been returned to the house, including carved wooden altars, incense bowls, a sword, and documents transcribed by kings.

The new house area includes a stele memorating 30 war matyrs who were native to Quang Thai Village. Locals have rallied behind the house's restorating, donating more land around the foundation for the stele's construction, while the village's Council of Elders has engaged personnel to clean the house on a daily basis.

Vo Thi Loan of the province's monuments and landscapes management unit, said the province has 100 communal houses in need of restoration for local rituals and community activities.

The restoration is crucial to preserve traditional culture as well, she said.

Due to limited capital available for restorations in the province, Loan urged for greater focus on houses in critical states and in urgent need of repairs.

Local residents have been encouraged to mobilise available resources, as most residents share the desire of restoration for their communal house, she said. — VNS