Quan Lan Communal House

Quan Lan Communal House is situated with a group of pagodas and shrines on Quan Lan Island Commune in the Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province, 35km from Cam Pha Town and 55km from Ha Long City. It was built at end of the Later Le Dynasty (in the 17th century) and was restored on numerous occasions during the Nguyen Dynasty.

It is built in the shape of the letter I. Its Front Ceremonial Hall has five compartments and two lean-tos. Its Back Sanctuary includes three compartments. The communal house has 32 big ironwood pillars, 26 smaller ironwood pillars. Its roof carved scale- tiles, atop of its roof has two carving dragons flanking a moon.

The main decorative themes of the building are: dragons, phoenixes, flowers and leaves, all formed in different styles at the ends of columns and frameworks. The most precious artefact still preserved in the communal house is a statue of Tran Khanh Du with 18 royal decrees from the Emperors Nguyen conferring the title of tutelary genie on him.

Visiting Quan Lan Island, tourists are not only enjoyed the landscape but also take bathing in the beaches: Son Hao, Dau Nui and Minh Chau.

The village festivities take place here from the 10th to 20th of the sixth lunar month (the official day is on the 18th day) but the atmosphere lasts all month long.