Located in My Loc ward, Ninh Binh province, Cao Dai communal house and shrine are a complex of relics associated with Senior Lieutenant General Thai Su Chieu Minh Dai Vuong Tran Quang Khai and his wife, Princess Phung Duong.
This land was once an independent prefecture under the Tran Dynasty, playing a role as an important military stronghold protecting the Heavenly Palace during the resistance war against the Mongol - Yuan army in the 13th century.
After Tran Quang Khai and Princess Phung Duong passed away, local people established a place of worship to commemorate the merits of the two. According to historical documents still preserved at the relic, Cao Dai communal house was built from the Later Le Dynasty around the 17th century.
Initially, the project only included the central hall and the rear palace, named Dai Vuong Temple. By the Nguyen Dynasty, the relic was expanded with a 5-compartment front hall and 2 rows of giải vũ and from there it was named Cao Dai communal house.
In 1964, Cao Dai communal house and temple were ranked as National historical and cultural relics thanks to their outstanding values in history, archeology and architectural art.
Cao Dai communal house has the architectural style of "first letter" before, "second letter" after. The "Dinh" area includes the great shrine and the inner palace, the entire structure frame is mainly made of ironwood, the roof is tiled with traditional Southern tiles.
The relic still preserves many unique wood carvings with themes of dragons, fairies, flowers and birds. The most prominent are 2 main columns and a set of doors at the central hall, elaborately carved, imbued with the 17th century art style.
On the crossbar in front of the harem gate, there is still the Chinese character "Dai vuong Thuong dang than tu".
In addition to its architectural value, Cao Dai communal house also preserves many precious artifacts, typically the Tran Dynasty stele erected in 1293 - a historical relic of great documentary value.
In front of the relic campus is the tomb of Princess Phung Duong located on a high mound, surrounded by many ancient green trees, creating a peaceful and ancient space for the entire relic complex.
